The Frighteners (1996) movie poster

The Frighteners (1996)

"No rest for the wicked."
ThumbScore
๐Ÿ‘ 70%Google users liked it archived
Critics Score
๐ŸŽฌ 58% (RT: 65%, MC: 52) โ„น๏ธRT = Rotten Tomatoes (critic reviews). MC = Metacritic (weighted critic average). Critics Score is the average of both.
HorrorComedy

Where to Watch

Rent / Buy
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Director
Runtime
1h 50m
Country
New Zealand, United States of America
Language
English
TMDB Rating
6.9/10 (1,686 votes)
Rotten Tomatoes
65%
Metacritic
52
Cast
Michael J. Fox as Frank Bannister
Trini Alvarado as Lucy Lynskey
Peter Dobson as Ray Lynskey
John Astin as The Judge
Jeffrey Combs as Milton Dammers
Dee Wallace as Patricia Bradley
Jake Busey as Johnny Bartlett
Chi McBride as Cyrus
Most people think so. 70% of audiences gave it a thumbs up based on 1,686 votes. Critics gave it 58%.
Overview
Once an architect, Frank Bannister now passes himself off as an exorcist of evil spirits. To bolster his facade, he claims his "special" gift is the result of a car accident that killed his wife. But what he does not count on is more people dying in the small town where he lives. As he tries to piece together the supernatural mystery of these killings, he falls in love with the wife of one of the victims and deals with a crazy FBI agent. Wikipedia โ†—
Fun Facts
  • Peter Jackson cited several classic horror films as the primary inspiration for the visual style.
  • Many of the background extras were actually locals from the filming locations.
  • The initial cut of The Frighteners was reportedly much longer, with several subplots removed to improve the pacing.
Audience Consensus

The Frighteners is a 1996 horror, comedy film directed by Peter Jackson. Once an architect, Frank Bannister now passes himself off as an exorcist of evil spirits. To bolster his facade, he claims his "special" gift is the result of a car accident that killed his wife.

But what he does not count on is more people dying in the small town where he lives. As he tries to piece together the supernatural mystery of these killings, he falls in love with the wife of one of the victims and deals with a crazy FBI agent. The film has been rated by 1,686 audiences on ThumbScore, reflecting its reach and engagement with viewers.

As a horror film, The Frighteners delivers on the expectations of its genre while bringing its own distinctive perspective to the storytelling. The production showcases the creative vision of its filmmaking team, bringing together performances, cinematography, and narrative elements that have resonated with audiences. The Frighteners (1996) continues to find viewers through theatrical releases, streaming platforms, and home media, maintaining its place in the contemporary entertainment landscape.

The film represents the kind of cinematic experience that has attracted a dedicated audience, with viewers appreciating its approach to the story and characters it presents.

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What Reddit Thinks

r/horror
⬆ 1,262💬 181 comments
The Frighteners (1996) Michael J. Fox
Top comment: "Anyone that doesn't like horror-comedy hasn't seen this."
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