Directed by:
Peter JacksonCinematography:
Alun BollingerComposer:
Danny ElfmanCast:
Michael J. Fox, Trini Alvarado, Peter Dobson, John Astin, Jeffrey Combs, Dee Wallace, Jake Busey, Chi McBride, Troy Evans, R. Lee Ermey, Melanie Lynskey (more)VOD (4)
Plots(1)
THE FRIGHTENERS, part horror-comedy, part supernatural thriller, stars Michael J. Fox as psychic investigator Frank Bannister. Bannister is able to see and communicate with spirits as a result of the trauma of witnessing his wife die in a car accident. Now a series of mysterious deaths in Frank's hometown has left authorities at wit's end. The deaths appear to be caused by heart attacks, but eventually it is revealed that they are actually the work of a menacing, Grim Reaper-like phantom. Bannister becomes a suspect after several deaths occur in his presence, and in order to prove his innocence, he and a team of three friendly ghosts attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding the murderous specter. But what emerges is far more than they bargained for, and soon a psychotic killer's lust for revenge from beyond the grave threatens the lives of both Bannister and his new love interest (Trini Alvarado). (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (7)
Decent fun, but if Jackson had gone easier on the special effects and left the comedy aspect aside, I can imagine that this story could be nicely scary. Instead, it looks as if Marty McFly had gone to New Zealand to fool around with ghosts, instead of seriously taking care of issues related to time travel.
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The Frighteners won't rank among my very favorite movies. I think it's one of those movies I'm glad I saw, but once is enough. It doesn't change the fact that I had a great time, that Michael J. Fox had me mesmerized again, and that this is still a film that has great horror elements that work, even when contrasted with a rather humorous story that fits perfectly with Peter's classic early horror films.
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A cross between Ghostbusters and Natural Born Killers. If it was made by another director, I'd buy it, but I didn't expect such a mediocre film from Jackson. There are some brilliant moments (e.g. the scene from the Egyptology museum), but the mixed feelings prevail.
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One of those films in which everything is just right. Peter Jackson brims with both fierce directorial and screenwriting ideas. The Frighteners is constantly entertaining, and black humor lovers are sure to really enjoy it. Michael J. Fox starring and music from Danny Elfman and the fantastic special effects of the Weta Studio make all those fiery dead and flying spirits a joy to behold.
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A pleasant ghost story with the traditionally excellent Michael J. Fox and perverted tricks. Jackson illustrates that the imaginative grand circles between comedy and horror don't give him any problems, although unfortunately this film has a certain touch of directorial routine. The character of the half-hearted spirit of the veteran is really great :o). Unpretentious, cool, but The Frighteners does not stand out in Jackson's filmography...
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Gallery (90)
Photo © 1996 Universal Pictures
![The Frighteners - Lobby Cards](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/159/188/159188233_cf104f.jpg)
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