Calls
Directed by: Fede Alvarez
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
4/5
With an intriguing set-up and an all-star cast, plenty of Apple TV+ subscribers will be attracted to the streaming service's latest series Calls, based on the French series of the same name. Especially since its longest episode is only 21 minutes.
However, after its first episode, some might struggle to see past the show's utterly unique storytelling approach. That's because, rather than watching Calls unfold, you spend most of your time listening to it instead, as all we see are the sound waves of the phone conversations between the characters, alongside the subtitles of their dialogue.
That means in the first instalment, which is tantalisingly entitled The End, we hear the break-up of a New York nurse (Karen Gillan) and Los Angeles musician (Nicholas Braun). Only for it to be interrupted by a mysterious apocalyptic phenomenon. While there's nothing special about the plot between Braun and Gillan, there's more than enough intrigue from the increasingly spooky supernatural event to make you want to check out its next episode.
This is where Calls really starts to impress. The main thrust of the second episode, The Beginning, is Aaron Taylor- Johnson's character struggling to deal with the news that he's about to become a father.
However, as he drives to stay at his friend's house, played by Ben Schwartz, in Tucson, Arizona, the people on the other end of the phone go farther forward in time.
Of course, you can't help but wonder what's causing these otherworldly incidents to occur. But what sets Calls apart from other pieces of science fiction is how it uses its extraordinary stories to explore thought-provoking themes of grief, trauma and mortality in a smart and affecting manner.
It helps that Calls's roster of actors is so incredible. They're able to simplify the inherent complexity of the show, and make it easy to follow, while getting the emotion and drama across quickly and precisely, too.
Calls gets more fascinating and riveting with each additional episode – you'll be pleasantly shocked and surprised at how gripping it becomes. That's particularly true of its third episode, Pedro Across The Street, which is arguably the finest instalment of its first season. Starring Pedro Pascal, it also features the vocal talent of Mark Duplass and Judy Greer, and weaves in bank robbery and blackmail.
The main challengers to Pedro Across The Street are the fifth and sixth episodes, called Me, Myself, And Darlene and The Universe Did It, respectively. Their plots are much more reliant on science fiction. But you're so caught up in the world, and writer-director Fede Alvarez incorporates these elements of the genre in such a seamless and intelligent fashion, that you don't notice.
For the remaining three episodes, Calls starts to answer the most probing questions. This is usually where similar shows start to derail. But Calls more than sticks its landing, as it builds in suspense and drama, while simultaneously expanding the story and world.
All in all, Calls is a sci-fi show with a purpose, which thrives because its abstract visuals and vivid sound design inspire viewers to genuinely picture and imagine what's unfolding.
At a time when a lot of TV monotonously spoon-feeds the same predictable drivel, Calls doesn't simply stand out, it's one of the most original shows in years. And with its entire first season clocking in at only two hours and 35 minutes, you really don't have an excuse to miss it.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)
2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)
2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)
2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)
2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Read more from Kareem Shaheen
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
Huddersfield: Otamendi (45' 1 og), van La Parra (red card 90' 6)
Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')
Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)
Calls
Directed by: Fede Alvarez
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
4/5
