IMDb > Phantoms (1998)
Phantoms
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user reviewsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips
Photos (see all 20 | slideshow) Videos
Phantoms (1998) -- youtube.com - Trailer (Flash)

IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
5.0/10   7,958 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Dean R. Koontz (novel)
Dean R. Koontz (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Phantoms on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
23 January 1998 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
For centuries they told us the terror would come from above. We've been looking the wrong way. more
Plot:
150 dead and 350 missing in the tiny mountain town of Snowfield, Colorado. And that's only the beginning... full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
Greatest Scream Queens
 (From SoundOnSight. 1 September 2009, 12:00 PM, PDT)

The Horrors of Haddonfield: A Halloween Retrospective
 (From Fangoria. 5 August 2009, 11:31 AM, PDT)

User Reviews:
Solid horror storyline compensates routine production. more (148 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Ben Affleck ... Sheriff Bryce Hammond

Peter O'Toole ... Dr. Timothy Flyte

Rose McGowan ... Lisa Pailey

Joanna Going ... Jennifer Pailey, M.D.

Liev Schreiber ... Deputy Stuart 'Stu' Wargle

Nicky Katt ... Deputy Steve Shanning
Clifton Powell ... Gen. Leland Copperfield

Rick Otto ... Scientist Lockland

Valerie Chow ... Scientist Yamaguchi (as Rachel Shane)

Adam Nelson ... Scientist Burke
John Hammil ... Scientist Talbot
John Scott Clough ... Scientist Shane

Michael DeLorenzo ... Soldier Velazquez (as Michael Delorenzo)
William Hahn ... Scientist Borman
Robert Himber ... Scientist Walker
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Dean Koontz's Phantoms (USA) (complete title)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for sci-fi violence/gore and language.
Runtime:
96 min | Argentina:92 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The "flatworm theory" used in the movie (that flatworms can eat the remains of their own kind and absorb their knowledge) is based on actual tests given to flatworms which involved seeing how quickly they would make the "correct" turn at a Y-intersection after eating the previous experimenters. The results were more inconclusive than the film says. more
Goofs:
Continuity: When Lisa is in the bathroom, she drops a cigarette into the sink. The position of the cigarette changes in the next shot. more
Quotes:
Jenny: It almost got Lisa.
Lisa: No, it wanted Deputy Wargle first, it wants men like him most of all.
Jenny: What do you mean it wants men like him?
Lisa: Well, its the devil don't you think, come up from hell tonight? I think he wants to dance with us.
more
Movie Connections:
References The Thing (1982) more
Soundtrack:
DON'T COUNT ME OUT more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
7 out of 7 people found the following review useful.
Solid horror storyline compensates routine production., 8 October 2000
6/10
Author: Wilbur-10 from London

Reasonable supernatural horror, the action taking place in a small town where all the inhabitants have vanished or are dead.

The first half hour builds up tension quite well as two sisters return to the town only to find a few dead bodies and some dismembered body parts. Ben Affleck comes on the scene as a very young looking Sheriff, and the plot sort of meanders along until the introduction of Peter O'Toole as an expert in strange phenomenon. The horror turns out to be an evil entity from the depths of the earth, having similar Devil characteristics to those seen in 'Quatermass and the Pit'.

The film is forgetable but is still better than most horror/monster movies that are churned out these days. 'Phantoms' rarely resorts to cheap humour or trite one-liners and, despite the presence of Affleck, doesn't fall back on any romance to pad out the plot. The horror theme stays strong throughout, and while there are obvious ideas lifted from other films - 'The Andromeda Strain' and particularly the metamorphosising dog from 'The Thing'- at least the film remains true to its roots.

The second half of the film begins to wilt but fortunately things are wrapped up quite quickly, and while the performances, effects and script are all routine, the story element itself is allowed to dominate and this is strong enough to carry the film past the average mark.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (148 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Phantoms (1998)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Influenced by Resident Evil video game? mark19967
Was this movie any good??? Deathray-9
The Name of the Song--SPOILER yeoffthecat
This really puzzles me.. J-ion
Soundtrack... davetheklone
Rose McGowan lilmikey42291
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Day of the Dead The Mist AVPR: Aliens vs Predator - Requiem Dreamcatcher Rambo
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Thriller section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.