Phantasm

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Zom L 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. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/12/25 Full Review James B Phantasm is a great cult classic with a great premise and top notch performances. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/05/25 Full Review Brian M 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. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 05/30/25 Full Review Nick O Surreal mystique mixed with high speed action make this 1970’s Don Coscarelli classic one of the most unique horror flicks ever made. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/29/25 Full Review Cynthia H 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. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/13/25 Full Review Christine R Don't know what to say about this movie...Has a very interesting story but I was not able to understand it. Filming of the movie was great. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/19/25 Full Review Read all reviews

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