Phantoms (released in theaters on January 23, 1998) is a high-concept supernatural thriller adapted by Dean Koontz from his own bestselling novel. Directed by Joe Chappelle, the film masterfully transitions from a desolate, small-town mystery into a sprawling cosmic horror epic.
It stands out in the late-90s landscape for its unique blend of traditional slasher tension and Lovecraftian dread, stripping away the comforts of modern civilization to reveal a terrifying, ancient threat. It is a film that thrives on atmosphere, utilizing a deserted mountain locale to create a palpable sense of isolation and impending doom.
The story begins when Dr. Jennifer Pailey (Joanna Going) and her younger sister, Lisa (Rose McGowan), drive into the idyllic ski resort town of Snowfield, Colorado.
Their arrival is met with a haunting silence; the streets are empty, and they soon discover the gruesome, mutilated remains of the townspeople.
Terror-stricken, they encounter the town’s sheriff, Bryce Hammond (Ben Affleck), and his deputies, Stu Wargle (Liev Schreiber) and Steve Shanning (Nicky Katt).
The group quickly realizes they are being hunted by an unseen force that can mimic its victims and manipulate their surroundings.
As the body count rises and the deputies vanish or are transformed into horrific entities, the survivors take refuge in a local hotel.
They eventually make contact with a government research team led by General Copperfield (Clifton Powell) and FBI agent Hawthorne (Bo Hopkins), who bring in an eccentric, disgraced academic, Dr. Timothy Flyte (Peter O’Toole).
Flyte identifies the entity as the “Ancient Enemy,” a sentient, shapeshifting mass that has been responsible for mass disappearances throughout human history, including the Roanoke colony.
Joined by a specialized commando unit featuring soldiers played by Michael DeLorenzo, the group attempts to use a biological weapon to kill the creature.
However, the Enemy, which views itself as a god, uses its psychic abilities to torment the survivors, leading to a desperate final stand where Hammond and Flyte must outsmart an entity that has evolved over millions of years.
Ben Affleck in Phantoms (Photo/Dimension Films)
Reception for Phantoms
Phantoms grossed $3.1 million on its opening weekend, finishing ninth at the box office.
The film would gross $5.6 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
The legacy of Phantoms is defined by its atmospheric world-building and its status as a quintessential “midnight movie” of the 1990s.
It is remembered in popular culture through a recurring comedic reference in Kevin Smith’s Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, which helped cement its cult status for a new generation.
