The Call Up (film)

Plot

Eight top-ranked gamers are sent an invitation to beta test a new virtual reality game with a $100,000 prize. They include Soxx_1 (Carl), Mustang67 (Shelly), Da_Chief (Edward), Str8 Shoot3r (Andre), xxAtla5xx (Marco), T3rrorist#1 (Zahid), Reap3r_2000 (Adam), and SlayerGirl (Taylor). After arriving and changing into motion capture suits, they are scanned by a machine and instructed to put on virtual reality gear. Zahid, a Bosnian Muslim who chose his username ironically, refuses to wear gear that labels him as a terrorist. After he discovers the exit is now locked, Shelly convinces him to play, saying they understand he meant the name ironically.

Once everyone puts on their helmets, a computer simulation replaces the high-tech office building they are in with a post-apocalyptic, war-torn setting. A simulated sergeant enters and explains their goal: Russian terrorists have taken over each floor of the building, and they must clear a path to the bottom. Although relieved the terrorists are not Muslim, Zahid expresses regret in accepting the invitation, though the others are excited. The first floor, a tutorial, is easily cleared, and Andre, a former soldier, takes the lead. The players are soon alarmed, however, when Carl is wounded and says the VR suit's feedback caused him actual pain.

Suspicious of Andre's military background, Marco accuses him of being involved in the game's design. Upset, Andre leaves the group and is shot by a terrorist who has respawned. The others find his body and realize their VR helmets have been programmed to deliver a lethal shock on their character's death. Zahid asks Carl to smash his helmet, which he can't remove. Before they can get the helmet off, the sergeant enters the room, beats Zahid, and warns against further tampering. With no other choice, the players descend to the next level. Taylor becomes increasingly panicked and reveals she took her friend's place. Shelly promises to protect her.

After the players clear several levels, Taylor becomes separated from the others and hides in a bathroom. Forced to defend herself, she kills a terrorist solo and becomes more confident. After clearing a level where they are only allowed to use knives, the sergeant reveals a captive terrorist and instructs the players to torture him for information. Edward volunteers, and, after several jolts of electricity, the captive gives up a password. When Adam inputs it to a computer console, it arms a bomb and starts a 30 minute countdown. Marco becomes aggressive toward Adam, whom he blames for making their situation worse.

When Zahid and Carl attempt to break a window, the sergeant again appears, breaks Zahid's leg, and warns that the next violation will result in death. Zahid, recognizing that the others can not transport him while reaching the bomb in time, stays behind as the others continue. Marco and Adam descend further while Shelly, Carl, and Taylor continue clearing an upper level. Marco uses Adam as bait for the terrorists, leaving Adam to die when he is shot. When the others reach his position, Marco kills Taylor to take a medical kit from her. Seeing "Atlas" written in Taylor's own blood, Carl attacks Marco and damages his helmet, causing the sergeant to walk in and kill Marco.

Carl, Shelly, and Edward descend to the bottom floor. A terrorist with a tripod-mounted machine gun wounds both Carl and Shelly. Carl sacrifices himself to save Shelly by using the group's last medical kit on her; she holds his hand as his helmet kills him. Ignoring the others, Edward takes out the machine gunner with a rocket launcher and stops the bomb just before it goes off. Excited, Edward recites the sergeant's victory speech with him. As security guards enter the room, Edward instructs them to tranquilize Shelly and clean up the bodies. When Shelly threatens to reveal Edward's involvement in the murders, he says nobody will believe her. Shelly wakes early, grabs a pistol from a security guard, and kills the guards. Edward appeals for mercy and offers a bribe, but she kills him, too.

Cast

Production

Writer-director Charles Barker was influenced by first person shooter video games, such as Call of Duty and Medal of Honor, but said the concept came from "the idea of being trapped in a helmet you couldn't get off". Barker wanted to explore what would happen when gamers were put into a real-life combat situation. Shooting took place in Birmingham over the course of six weeks.

Release

The Call Up premiered at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival on 5 April 2016. The UK premiere was at Sci-Fi-London on 6 May 2016. In 20 May 2016, Altitude Film Distribution released it theatrically in the UK, where it grossed $2,920.

Reception

Mike McCahill of The Guardian rated it 3/5 stars and wrote, "This lowish-budget British film about gamers playing a VR shoot 'em up gone wrong is a modest update on all those killer-website movies in the noughties." Fred McNamara of Starburst rated it 7/10 stars and wrote that the film's impressive visuals, atmosphere, and action sequences make up for its cliched characters. Matt Looker of Total Film rated it 4/5 stars and wrote, "Filled with action, intrigue and snazzy visuals, writer/director Charles Barker’s first feature impresses, even if the concept is hard to swallow." Katherine McLaughlin of SciFiNow rated it 2/5 stars and wrote, "There’s little sense of fun and that’s a real shame because it could have used it."