‘For A Good Time, Call…’ (2017) Fantasia Film Festival Review

Recently screened at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal, For A Good Time, Call… is a unique horror short starring Tristan Risk (American Mary), Sean Carmichael (Trinity) and Diana Porter (Mary Loss of Soul), and was directed by Izzy Lee (Postpartum, Rites of Vengeance). 

For A Good Time, Call… is a short film all about revenge. It follows what happens to a man (Carmichael) after he uploads a secret, homemade sex tape to the internet. While making a pit stop at a rest station, all hell breaks loose and he begins to realize that he may have made a huge mistake. Director Izzy Lee has said that the film was made as a reaction to revenge porn and the awful people that perpetrate the crime.

Sean Carmichael as Alex

I really like the message behind this film. Revenge porn is a horrible thing, and it’s nice to see a filmmaker tackle a topic such as that. The idea that this man is getting exactly what he deserves is almost a happy ending, so to speak. Carmichael’s character, Alex, is really a terrible person. He films this sex tape without Alice (Porter) knowing and then uploads it to the internet. When called out on it, he says that it’s just something stupid that guys do. He just brushes it off like it’s no big deal, and it’s obvious that Alice is incredibly distraught about it. Sex is a very personal thing, and to be taken advantage of like that is reprehensible.

Making the character of Alex be so awful makes his comeuppance so much more satisfying. I wanted to see him get what was coming to him, and I wasn’t disappointed. The ending is where the film takes a turn and begins to get genuinely scary. You don’t see too much of Risk’s character, Sylvia, but when you do, it’s great. There’s one moment in particular when Alex is in the rest stop, and I genuinely jumped. I won’t spoil it, but it was a great moment.

Tristan Risk as Sylvia

My only complaint with the film was that I wanted to see more. There’s so much that could have been done with a topic like this, and it’s so hard to accomplish everything in 11 minutes. Lee did a great job of getting a lot into the film, but I think this would definitely have been better as fully fleshed out feature film. I’m hoping that the plan will be to eventually upgrade For A Good Time, Call… into a full length movie. 

Ultimately, For A Good Time, Call… is a really well done short film the tackles a major issue in today’s society. It has this almost feel good ending that I loved, and the characters are portrayed so well. My only issue is that it was a short film, and I wanted to see more done with the idea. Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think!

About Matt Stumpf

My name's Matt, and I love all things horror. Books, movies, video games; you name it, I like it. Martyrs is my favorite horror film, and everyone should watch it. I also have a soft-spot for those cheesy 80's slashers. I'm still slightly convinced that Faces of Death is real.

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