Phone (Pon) (2002)

63% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(6,190 ratings)

Ahn Byeong-ju's Pon (Phone) is a psychological horror film. Ha Ji-weon portrays Ji-weon, an investigative reporter who is receiving unsettling calls on her cellular phone. Ji-weon's decision to stay with friends for a while leads to the friends' child Yeong-ju (Eun Seo-woo) being traumatized after… More Ahn Byeong-ju's Pon (Phone) is a psychological horror film. Ha Ji-weon portrays Ji-weon, an investigative reporter who is receiving unsettling calls on her cellular phone. Ji-weon's decision to stay with friends for a while leads to the friends' child Yeong-ju (Eun Seo-woo) being traumatized after the girl accidentally answers Ji-weon's phone. Eventually, it is discovered that the preceding owners of that cell phone's number have died. A missing teenager, a secret from the past, and some very disturbing behavior from Yeong-ju all play a part in the final unraveling of the plot. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 42 min.
Directed By: Byeong-Ki Ahn
Genres: Art House & International, Horror

In Theaters: Jul 26, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Jan 25, 2005

Critic Reviews

Johnny Butane, Dread Central
If you're a fan of modern Asian horror, I'm sure you'll check it out anyway, just keep in mind that it may not be as effective as you hope.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Apesar de alongar-se demais (chegando a incluir uma subtrama totalmente dispensável), o filme reserva boas surpresas e conta com a ótima atuação da pequena Seo-woo Eun.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
Typically baffling Asian horror flick...
Brian Thomas, Now Playing Magazine
The climax features some nice moments, including a terrific corpse discovery scene, but by then it's too late.
Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com
While there are no punches pulled when it comes to the bloody horror, Phone rings truest in its nerve-tingling suspense.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
as close a knockoff to Ringu that I've seen to date
Kim Newman, Empire Magazine
Asian horror can't go on much longer adhering to such standard rules, but for now it's frightening and effective.
Jamie Russell, BBC
[It] may be a rather unmemorable addition to Asian horror, but you'll be far too spooked to hang up before it's over.

Read all 8 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

xGary X

A journalist hiding out from a paedophile ring she exposed changes her number and begins receiving disturbing calls that seem to affect her young neice. Phone is basically Ringu with a mobile, and that's all you really need to know. It lifts elements directly from that film, Ju… More
A journalist hiding out from a paedophile ring she exposed changes her number and begins receiving disturbing calls that seem to affect her young neice. Phone is basically Ringu with a mobile, and that's all you really need to know. It lifts elements directly from that film, Ju On and Dark Water and does little to add to the mixture in its own right. Girl gets phone call, she tentatively answers it, there's screaming, a ghostly apparition of a girl appears in mirrors yadda yadda yadda. There is literally NOTHING here you won't have seen before. The direction is clumsy and patronizing and I was frankly bored for the majority of it. It did pique my interest a little for the final scenes which (finally) explained what happened to Teen Ghost, but some of the absurd plot contrivances in getting there were just too hard to swallow. I was impressed by the performance of the young girl, but as a whole its just J horror by numbers.
Bruce B

This is an outstanding Film. As with all Asia Horror US writers have a lot to learn from our fellow film makers in the west. No doubt someone will copy this korean made film that falls along with Ju-On and The Ring. Intense thriller is more like it, but ending gets a little creepy. A… More
This is an outstanding Film. As with all Asia Horror US writers have a lot to learn from our fellow film makers in the west. No doubt someone will copy this korean made film that falls along with Ju-On and The Ring. Intense thriller is more like it, but ending gets a little creepy. A good rainy night thunder storm film. Seems everyone with the last 4 digets 6644 of this phone number is dying, find out why. 4 Stars
Lady D

Possibly the best part of this film was the last 10 minutes. It?s a watchable story which was not as predicatble as I had anticipated, but a little drawn out.
Kylie B

Although the beginning seemed cluttered and the two story branches didn't seem to fit together properly, it all makes sense at the end. Also features one of the most visually interesting corpse discovery scenes I've seen in a long time.
Drew S

An effective, though somewhat derivative, Korean thriller. The scares slow down a little for a significant portion of the middle in order to communicate the plot, which is an interesting decision - the movie feels very complete as a result. Phone is a surprisingly coherent product,… More
An effective, though somewhat derivative, Korean thriller. The scares slow down a little for a significant portion of the middle in order to communicate the plot, which is an interesting decision - the movie feels very complete as a result. Phone is a surprisingly coherent product, though unambitious at best.
Luke B

A by the numbers Korean horror that offers nothing new to those who are well versed in Eastern horrors. Good for a few frights, and an incredible performance from a very young actress.
alan j

not to be confused with one missed call..but again, frights delivered thru a cellphone and a little girl..effective..and understandable by film's end