In Funmi Adetola’s short thriller Unknown Caller, a bright young black man named Keon, whose anger has slowly grown due to race-related microaggressions from colleagues, is given a dangerous offer from an anonymous source.
Unknown Caller is a fascinating film that utilizes the thriller genre to address the universal issue of workplace racism, creating a tense and thought-provoking short film. While operating within budget constraints, Adetola manages to deliver an exciting narrative driven by strong performances and a sharp critique of workplace etiquette, if only our protagonist knew where the HR department was.
The main strength of “Unknown Caller” is in its story, with director Adetola establishing Keon’s daily struggles with racially motivated jokes and wisecracks in the office. Keon (played by Emmanuel Trier) is an intern trying to work his way up the career ladder but facing obstacles at every turn and this all starts while he is bringing his colleagues coffee. Each insult he receives feels like a body blow and they all help to build a sense of mounting frustration and injustice within Keon’s spirit with the “Unknown Caller” symbolising the nasty nature of systemic racism. While the script is able to balance the thriller elements with the social commentary it also forces the audience to confront the ethical issues faced by Keon and to judge themselves and their own behaviour. Meanwhile, the offer Keon has to refuse is a clever way to highlight the choices many ethnic minorities are forced to make regularly in the face of daily discrimination.
Trier as Keon, delivers a standout performance, He is able to express the character’s emotional confusion with realism and nuance. He effectively portrays the emotional conflict between the daily microaggressions and the temptation of a drastic, potentially unethical, solution. Trier’s ability to express Keon’s growing frustration and desperation is crucial to the film’s impact. The supporting characters, while limited in screen time, contribute to the portrayal of the hostile work environment, reinforcing the film’s central theme.
As writer and director Adetola is able to create a tense and suspenseful atmosphere this is shown through the film’s pacing which is brisk and chaotic, mirroring Keon’s escalating anxiety. The use of an Unknown Caller, voiced by our director, creates a sense of unease and paranoia that conveys Keon’s isolation. The film’s ability to address social issues while also maintaining its thriller tropes demonstrates Adetola’s directorial skill.
The film’s budget constraints are evident in certain aspects, particularly the sniper scope perspective. However, Adetola’s resourcefulness and focus on the narrative and performances compensate for these limitations. The film’s cinematography, while perhaps not as polished as a larger-budget production, effectively captures the claustrophobic atmosphere of Keon’s workplace and the growing sense of dread. The use of close-ups and tight framing emphasizes Keon’s emotional state and the pressure he is under.
“Unknown Caller” is a fine short film that even without a big budget, manages to tell a powerful and important story. Due to some fine direction by Adetola and a brilliant central performance from Trier, Unknown Caller makes you think about the tough choices we make and our behaviour towards others. It becomes a film that reveals how racism can disturb even the most mild and calm of individuals, making it well worth a watch.
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