Death Comes Calling: Whistle Film Review
Whistle. Still courtesy of Elevation Pictures.
Whistle, the latest film from director Corin Hardy (The Nun), happily follows in the footsteps of some very familiar teen horror tropes. Our protagonist Chrys is the new girl in town with a mysterious past, and despite the rumours swirling around her, she makes a misfit group of friends while in detention. The film then adds in a few over the top elements, like a drug-dealing youth pastor, and a few fantastical set-pieces for a Halloween carnival, that leave their high school feeling like it’s been plucked from the set of the CW’s Riverdale. From the very beginning, when a cursed Aztec artifact is found inside a school locker, the film is asking you to suspend your sense of disbelief. And if you do, you’ll have a lot more fun.
The cursed object at the centre of the film is an ancient death whistle. In a similar vein as Talk to Me (2022) or Tarot (2024), the use of the mysterious relic brings about the cast’s demise. When played, the whistle summons the their predetermined deaths to track them down, and a Scooby Doo-style investigation is needed in order to put a stop to the curse.
The cast does a lot of work in selling the chaos that unfolds. Chrys (played by Dafne Keen from Deadpool & Wolverine) is charismatic as the misunderstood lead, but it’s her blossoming relationship with Ellie (Sophie Nélisse) that gives the film its beating heart. Fans of Nélisse from her time on Yellowjackets and Heated Rivalry, (and those who ship Jackie/Shauna or Rose/Svetlana) may find themselves especially invested. It’s refreshing to see a mainstream horror film centre on a sapphic love story without treating it as bait or subtext. The pair’s chemistry helps gives the film stakes, and allows you root for them as their situation becomes increasingly dire (and at times, absurd).
There are also moments of jaw-dropping gore in Whistle. The film’s commitment to making each character’s death distinct gives the film a propulsive energy as the stunts amp up and the body count rises. While the deaths tracking the characters down come from realistic fears, (illness, accidents, old age) the way death unfolds onscreen is anything but subtle. While Whistle can feel reminiscent of fan favourites in the horror genre, the unique kills are a highlight.
Ultimately, the film understands its target audience, from the Olivia Rodrigo needle drop, to playing up the terror of texting your crush back, if you have a love of teen-movie aesthetics, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.
Whistle is in theatres now.