On the Line is an unconvincing and predictable thriller that is eerily similar to movies like The Game and Phone Booth. The lack of realism in the picture is by far its largest flaw, and for a sizable amount of its running length, it meanders in circles. It's a lacklustre climax, and revealing it would ruin the surprise (if there is one!). However, it's safe to say that after seeing the last ten minutes of the movie, viewers might find themselves puzzling. The film appears to think that any conclusion can be deemed "workable" and "interesting," and it makes an attempt to redefine the term "smart twist."

Mel Gibson gives a strong performance as the host of a well-liked radio show, but it doesn't seem like his efforts are enough to keep listeners interested. A lot of the events in the movie seem to happen too conveniently. The movie has several funny moments, especially when a caller tells Elvis (the radio DJ) that his wife and daughter have been abducted and are about to be killed. Viewers are drawn into the drama as a result of the excellent and steady tension building. But because of the protracted cat-and-mouse game that follows, the audience gradually grows bored. When the conclusion comes, spectators are left baffled by what they just saw.

Elvis Cooney, a megalomaniacal late-night radio DJ noted for his provocative behaviour towards both colleagues and callers, is the subject of the story told in On the Line. A caller named Gary alerts him during one of his performances that he has kidnapped and intends to kill Elvis' wife and children. Gary holds Elvis accountable for Lauren's suicide since she had sought his counsel earlier in a show. Thus starts a perilous game of cat and mouse as Elvis tries to figure out who made the call. The scenario changes when a security guard is found dead and bombs are located all over the facility. Elvis' coworkers at the radio station, Mary and Dylan, support him in his efforts to free his family and apprehend the kidnapper.

Although the movie doesn't feature Mel Gibson at his best, he nevertheless succeeds in bringing some order to the chaos. His antagonistic behaviour and egotistical outlook give him a distinctive personality. The actor who plays his coworker, Dylan, gives a passable portrayal; in the crescendo before his character is killed off, his expressions are very moving. There are surely many twists and turns in the film, but if the ending isn't believable, then it's all for nothing. The implausible climax makes for a terrible viewing experience. It seems probable at the start of the movie that the caller is actually enraged with Elvis and wants to harm him. But, the initial exhilaration fades when bombs and dead bodies are involved. At one point, Elvis exclaims, "What kind of B-grade movie bullshit is this?" One cannot help but wonder if Mel Gibson was referring to this film.