‘Landline’, the psychological thriller directed by Dele Doherty, premiered on Prime Video on April 25.
At first glance, its time-loop premise almost made me dismiss it. This was because Nollywood’s past attempts at this theme have been shaky at best. But against my expectations, ‘Landline’ proved to be a suspenseful, well-crafted film that might just restore faith in the concept.
SYNOPSIS
A stranded military sergeant receives eerie calls from an old landline, each guiding him to save his pregnant wife from a relentless killer-only to watch her die again and again in a nightmarish loop.
THE STRONG POINTS
One of the film’s strongest points is the performance. Despite having three physical cast members, supported only by a few voices over the phone, the actors carried the entire story effortlessly. It never felt like more characters were needed. Although Bucci Franklin had limited screen time and dialogue, he made the most of his moments with a solid performance. The real weight, however, was carried by Gabriel Afolayan and Zainab Balogun. Their chemistry as a couple, even though mostly heard over the phone, was convincing. Afolayan, in particular, delivered an impressive range of emotions. His frustration, fear, and sadness were deeply felt through his voice, expressions, and body language.
The use of suspense and how it builds throughout the film is another highlight of ‘Landline’. The pacing and sequence of events maintain a steady sense of curiosity and tension. Each scene deepens the mystery, raising questions like, will she survive this time? Will she outsmart the killer this time? Is there a better solution now? This approach was especially commendable considering the confined setting and limited cast, yet it still managed to keep the momentum going.
The cinematography, sound, and lighting were intentionally crafted to heighten the thrill, and they delivered effectively. Thoughtful camera angles and well-placed sound effects helped amplify the tension in key moments. Each element worked together to support the mood of the film, making the experience better.
WEAK POINTS
The major flaw in Landline lies in how the story is told. While the story is clear, a soldier in a safe house and his wife are under attack, many details are left unexplained. It seems the focus was more on creating suspense and thrills than fully developing the plot. Several questions remain unanswered. Who is Tofunmi? How does a landline with no power connect a call? Why is the wife the one targeted when the husband holds the sensitive information? What protest is being referred to, and what is it about? When the wife mentions “the last time”, what exactly happened, and how does it connect to the present events? And who is the voice on the phone trying to guide him out of the loop? These missing pieces leave gaps in the story. With more attention to clarity and context, the film could have been more immersive without losing its thrilling edge.
FINAL THOUGHTS
‘Landline’ gets a 6/10
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