The Frighteners (1996)

After a tragic car accident that kills his wife, a man discovers he can communicate with the dead to con people. However, when a demonic spirit appears, he may be the only one who can stop it from killing the living and the dead.

Director:

Peter Jackson

Writers:

Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson

Stars:

Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson

3 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael J. Fox	...	Frank Bannister
Trini Alvarado	...	Lucy Lynskey
Peter Dobson	...	Ray Lynskey
John Astin	...	The Judge
Jeffrey Combs	...	Milton Dammers
Dee Wallace	...	Patricia Bradley (as Dee Wallace Stone)
Jake Busey	...	Johnny Bartlett
Chi McBride	...	Cyrus
Jim Fyfe	...	Stuart
Troy Evans	...	Sheriff Perry
Julianna McCarthy	...	Old Lady Bradley
R. Lee Ermey	...	Hiles
Elizabeth Hawthorne	...	Magda Rees-Jones
Angela Bloomfield	...	Debra Bannister
Desmond Kelly	...	Harry Sinclair

Storyline

After a car accident in which his wife, Debra, was killed and he was injured, Frank Bannister develops psychic abilities allowing him to see, hear, and communicate with ghosts. After losing his wife, he then gave up his job as an architect, letting his unfinished "dream house" sit incomplete for years, and put these skills to use by befriending a few ghosts and getting them to haunt houses in the area to drum up work for his ghostbusting business; Then Frank proceeds to "exorcise" the houses for a fee. But when he discovers that an entity resembling the Grim Reaper is killing people, marking numbers on their forehead beforehand, Frank tries to help the people whom the Reaper is after!

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Plot Keywords:

ghost | black comedy | serial killer | grim reaper | hell | 

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Taglines:

Something has put the fear of death in the living and sent the dead running for their lives.

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for terror/violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

It was during filming this on-location in New Zealand, that Michael J. Fox made up his mind that he'd had enough of being away from his family making movies, and decided to head back to the small screen and star in a new sitcom (Spin City (1996)). This turned out to be his last leading role in a film.

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Goofs

Ray's ghost runs past a sign saying "Lyttelton Liquor." Lyttelton, New Zealand is playing fictitious Fairwater, California. We can say that within the movie, Lyttelton is the name of the store, not the town.

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Quotes

Frank Bannister: [to Stuart and Cyrus] Why is it that flies stick to you guys like shit to a blanket?
Cyrus: Ha ha, very funny. You're a funny guy, Frank. You know, all you think about is yourself. I could complain, too, you know. I would like some new clothes. You get to dress nice. Here I am still looking like Linc from The Mod Squad.
Frank Bannister: You died in the 70's. It's a bummer.

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Alternate Versions

The Theatrical Trailer features some cut scenes. They include a scene in which Frank is visited in Jail by Stuart and Cyrus, they inform Frank that the police are going to try and pin the murders on him. Another scene takes place in Frank's house right after they scam Ray and Lucy, in which Stuart tells Cyrus that Frank takes them totally for granted and that they are his business partners. There is also a snipet of Frank jumping out from behind a giant rock looking terrified.

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Connections

Spoofs Full Metal Jacket (1987)

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Soundtracks

Don't Fear The Reaper
Written by Donald Roeser
Performed by The Muttonbirds (as The Mutton Birds)
Courtesy of Virgin Records Australasia

User Reviews

* * * out of 4.

Con man (Michael J. Fox) uses the ghosts he sees and maintains friendships with in order to rip off people in order to make a living after losing his wife. However, there is a dead serial killer lurking about killing everyone and Fox has to stop this ghost before it can claim another victim. This film moves along at such fast pace you never have time to question what is going on on-screen. The film itself, is filled with many wonderful visual effects and proves to be a perfect vehicle for Fox's many talents. It is also brimming with many original thoughts and idea's. It is highly under rated and I highly recommanded this film. Just check your brain in at the door however.

Rated R; Violence and Profanity.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

New Zealand USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 July 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Robert Zemeckis Presents: The Frighteners

Filming Locations:

Oklahoma, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$5,565,495, 21 July 1996

Gross USA:

$16,759,216

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$29,359,216

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, WingNut Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 123 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS DTS-Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1