When a Stranger Calls (1979) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of When a Stranger Calls (2006) reveals that the mysterious and terrifying phone calls tormenting babysitter Jill Johnson (Camilla Belle) were coming from inside the house the entire time. The caller, a deranged serial killer named Bobby, had already murdered the two children she was supposed to be watching and was toying with her psychologically before attempting to kill her. Jill ultimately escapes after a brutal confrontation, but the film concludes with an unsettling implication that Bobby may still be at large, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of dread.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of When a Stranger Calls is a masterclass in suspense, playing on the classic urban legend of "the call is coming from inside the house." Throughout the film, Jill receives increasingly disturbing phone calls from an unknown man who alternates between silence and eerie questions like, "Have you checked the children?" The tension builds as Jill grows more paranoid, checking doors and windows while trying to maintain her composure for the sake of the children, whom she believes are safely asleep upstairs. The twist arrives when she finally calls the police, who trace the calls and deliver the chilling revelation: they're originating from inside the house.
This moment marks the film's transition from psychological horror to a frantic survival sequence. Jill races upstairs to check on the children, only to find their beds empty and bloody handprints on the walls, confirming the killer's presence. Bobby, the deranged murderer, emerges from the shadows, having already slaughtered the kids and now fixated on Jill. The ensuing chase through the lavish but claustrophobic house is intense, with Jill narrowly escaping multiple times before ultimately being cornered. The confrontation reaches its peak when Bobby slashes her with a knife, but she manages to fight back, pushing him through a glass door and fleeing to safety.
The film's final scenes shift to Jill recovering in the hospital, surrounded by her relieved parents. However, the horror isn't entirely over-the last shot lingers on an empty hospital hallway, with the faint sound of a ringing phone in the distance, suggesting Bobby may still be out there. This ambiguous ending leaves the audience questioning whether Jill is truly safe or if the killer will return to finish what he started. The implication that evil persists beyond the immediate threat reinforces the movie's theme of inescapable terror, making the conclusion as unsettling as the buildup.
Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers
- Was Bobby ever caught?
- The movie strongly implies he wasn't, given the final phone ring.
- Alternatively, the ringing could just symbolize Jill's lingering trauma.
- Why did Bobby target Jill specifically?
- He may have been stalking her beforehand (hinted at by earlier scenes).
- Or he simply chose her at random, as serial killers often do.
- What happened to the children's parents?
- They were likely killed offscreen before the events of the film.
- Bobby might have lured them away to isolate Jill.
Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film
When a Stranger Calls excels in building tension through atmospheric dread rather than relying on excessive gore, which makes its ending particularly effective. The twist, while predictable to horror fans familiar with the urban legend, is executed well enough to deliver a visceral punch. Camilla Belle's performance sells the terror, and the cinematography amplifies the isolation and vulnerability of her character. That said, the film's reliance on jump scares and its somewhat thin plot outside the central premise prevent it from being a true classic. The ambiguous ending works in its favor, though, leaving a lasting impression that lingers far after the credits roll. Overall, it's a solid, if not groundbreaking, entry in the home-invasion horror subgenre.