Movie night: Phantasm (Don Coscarelli, 1979)

“Phantasm” is a 1979 American supernatural horror film directed, written, shot, and edited by Don Coscarelli.

As the first entry in what would become the Phantasm franchise, the story centers on Mike, a teenager living in a small Oregon town. Together with his older brother Jody and their friend Reggie, he begins investigating bizarre events linked to the local funeral home, which is run by an enigmatic undertaker known only as “the Tall Man.”

Coscarelli drew inspiration for Phantasm from a nightmare he had as a teenager, eventually shaping it into an early screenplay. The film was produced entirely independently, backed financially by Coscarelli, his father, and local investors, with most of the cast and crew consisting of amateurs or up-and-coming filmmakers. Shooting took place over the span of a year, primarily in the Chatsworth area of California, and Coscarelli continued revising the script during production. After filming wrapped, the project went through months of heavy post-production and extensive editing.

Avco Embassy Pictures picked up the film for U.S. theatrical distribution, premiering it in Los Angeles in spring 1979. Once it expanded nationwide, Phantasm became a commercial success, earning $22 million worldwide. Critics initially gave it mixed reviews, but many praised its imaginative visuals and unconventional storytelling. Over time, the film developed a loyal cult audience, frequently appearing on lists of the greatest horror movies, and has been acknowledged as a major influence within the genre. Scholars often highlight its surreal tone and themes of grief, mortality, and the bond between siblings.

Door opens at 20:00. Film starts at 20:30.