
The Call
Synopsis
Jordan Turner (Halle Berry) is an experienced 911 operator but when she makes an error in judgment and a call ends badly, Jordan is rattled and unsure if she can continue, but then teenager Casey Welson (Abigail Breslin) is abducted and calls 911. Jordan is the one called upon to use all of her experience, insights and quick thinking to try to help Casey escape and also to make sure the man is brought to justice.
Production Budget Analysis
What was the production budget for The Call?
Directed by Brad Anderson, with Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut leading the cast, The Call was produced by TriStar Pictures with a confirmed budget of $13,000,000, placing it in the low-budget category for crime films.
At $13,000,000, The Call was produced on a modest budget. Lower-budget films benefit from reduced break-even thresholds, with profitability achievable at approximately $32,500,000.
Budget Comparison — Similar Productions
• Miss Sloane (2016): Budget $13,000,000 | Gross $9,101,546 → ROI: -30% • RoboCop (1987): Budget $13,000,000 | Gross $53,424,681 → ROI: 311% • The Godfather Part II (1974): Budget $13,000,000 | Gross $102,600,000 → ROI: 689% • The Holdovers (2023): Budget $13,000,000 | Gross $42,513,270 → ROI: 227% • In the Name of the Father (1993): Budget $13,000,000 | Gross $65,796,862 → ROI: 406%
Key Budget Allocation Categories
▸ Talent & Director Compensation Thrillers depend on compelling lead performances to sustain tension, making cast compensation a primary budget concern. Directors with proven thriller credentials command premium fees.
▸ Cinematography & Location Photography Thriller aesthetics demand specific visual languages — surveillance-style photography, claustrophobic framing, or expansive location work across multiple cities or countries.
▸ Editorial & Sound Post-Production Precision editing — controlling information flow, building suspense through pacing, and orchestrating reveals — requires extended post-production schedules.
Key Production Personnel
CAST: Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Morris Chestnut, Michael Eklund, David Otunga Key roles: Halle Berry as Jordan Turner; Abigail Breslin as Casey Welson; Morris Chestnut as Officer Paul Phillips; Michael Eklund as Michael Foster
DIRECTOR: Brad Anderson CINEMATOGRAPHY: Thomas Yatsko MUSIC: John Debney EDITING: Avi Youabian PRODUCTION: TriStar Pictures, WWE Studios, Troika Pictures, Stage 6 Films, Amasia Entertainment FILMED IN: United States of America
Box Office Performance
The Call earned $51,872,378 domestically and $16,700,000 internationally, for a worldwide total of $68,572,378. The film skewed heavily domestic (76%), suggesting strong North American appeal.
Break-Even Analysis
Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), The Call needed approximately $32,500,000 to break even. The film surpassed this threshold by $36,072,378.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Revenue: $68,572,378 Budget: $13,000,000 Net: $55,572,378 ROI: 427.5%
Profitability Assessment
VERDICT: Highly Profitable
The Call was a clear financial success, generating $68,572,378 worldwide against a $13,000,000 production budget — a 427% ROI. After estimated marketing costs, the film still delivered substantial profit to TriStar Pictures.
INDUSTRY IMPACT
The outsized success of The Call likely influenced studio greenlight decisions for similar crime projects.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Summary: 1 win & 11 nominations total









































































































































































































































































































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