Phantasm

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Julian C. @juliancooper_12 Oct 19 Don Coscarelli gives us such a unique and underrated horror film of the 1970s that has a cult following. I love Angus Scrimm as The Tall Man and his infamous “BOY” line. I love all the weird sci-fi aspects of the film like the silver spheres. It’s definitely a horror film to watch, but because it’s so weird it’s not going to be everybody’s taste See more Zom L Sep 12 Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm is one of those cult horror films that thrives on its dreamlike strangeness. It doesn’t always make sense, but that’s part of the appeal. The story follows two brothers, Mike and Jody, who stumble upon the sinister Tall Man, a supernatural undertaker whose funeral home hides otherworldly horrors. From killer flying spheres to shrunken reanimated corpses, the movie is a surreal mix of gothic atmosphere and bizarre sci-fi twists. What works best is the mood. The film feels like a waking nightmare—quiet, eerie, and unsettling. The graveyard sequences and dimly lit mausoleums are dripping with dread, while Fred Myrow and Malcolm Seagrave’s score amplifies the haunting vibe. Angus Scrimm as the Tall Man is unforgettable, looming as one of horror’s most iconic villains, his booming voice and terrifying presence making even the simplest line—“Booooooy!”—chill-inducing. That said, Phantasm is rough around the edges. The pacing can be uneven, some of the acting is stiff, and the low budget occasionally shows in its effects and editing. Plus the ending feels like a cheap and unsatisfying resolution, almost like you wasted your time, until something else happens in that exact ending, that makes the movie even more bizarre. Still, the imagination on display is undeniable, and those limitations almost add to its dreamlike, off-kilter quality. In the end, Phantasm isn’t a polished horror classic, but it’s an inventive, unique, and unsettling one. Its originality and surreal vision make up for its flaws, cementing it as an influential cult film that horror fans continue to revisit. A strange, eerie, and unforgettable nightmare, even if it doesn’t always hold together. See more James B Jul 5 Phantasm is a great cult classic with a great premise and top notch performances. See more Brian M May 30 I really wanted to like this movie, as it’s got a cool concept and some pretty cool visuals. But the editing is soooo sloppy; it consistently messes up the pacing and makes things really awkward. There’s a point where people are being attacked by an unknown something in their car: the protagonist tells them to start driving but everyone just sits there, staring and silent, for what had to be a good 60 seconds. Nothing happens during that time. Such instances occur over and over again, ruining momentum and making it difficult for viewers to immerse themselves in the story. Cool concept botched by amateurish execution. See more Nick O May 29 Surreal mystique mixed with high speed action make this 1970’s Don Coscarelli classic one of the most unique horror flicks ever made. See more Cynthia H @CHaley1963 Apr 13 This was a popular midnight movie in 1979. Well worth watching. The special effects were pretty good for being made on a thin budget. I've seen it a few times over the years. It's not horrifying or gory but there are quite a few scares along the way. See more Read all reviews

Phantasm

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