⭐⭐☆☆☆
Directed by: Don Coscarelli
Starring: Reggie Bannister, A. Michael Baldwin, Angus Scrimm
After the events of the previous film, Reggie once again finds himself on the road, chasing down The Tall Man and trying to stop his ongoing harvest of the dead. Mike is still tied to the strange mythology, and the world continues to feel like it’s slowly falling apart.
Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead pulls the franchise back to its lower-budget roots after the studio-backed sequel. It leans heavily into the road-warrior vibe, expanding the post-apocalyptic feeling of the world while introducing new characters along the way.
At this point, though, the formula is very clear.
And that’s part of the problem.
Reggie Bannister is clearly the heart of the series now. He carries most of the screen time and brings a scrappy, everyman energy that works for this kind of cult horror.
Angus Scrimm remains effective as The Tall Man. He doesn’t need much screen time to make an impression. His presence is still intimidating, and he continues to be the most consistent element across the trilogy.
But beyond those two, the performances feel uneven. Some new characters add energy, but others feel underdeveloped or simply there to move the plot forward. Emotional investment never really deepens.
Don Coscarelli clearly loves this universe. The creativity is still there. The world feels strange and slightly apocalyptic, which is an interesting direction.
However, the structure feels repetitive. It’s another cycle of pursuit, confrontation, escape, and move on. The mythology expands in fragments, but it never becomes clearer or more emotionally grounded.
The tone shifts between horror, action, and occasional humor, but it never fully commits to one lane. It creates an uneven rhythm that makes the movie feel longer than it is.
There’s imagination here — but not enough narrative focus.
The practical effects continue to be a highlight. The spheres remain iconic, and there are moments where the gore and creature design show genuine creativity.
The low-budget look returns, and while that adds a certain charm, it also limits the scope. Some scenes feel flat visually, and the editing doesn’t always build momentum.
There are flashes of cool ideas, but they don’t consistently elevate the film.
By the third entry, I was hoping to feel more invested in the characters and mythology.
Instead, it feels like the series is circling the same ideas without pushing them forward in a meaningful way.
I respect the cult status of this franchise. I respect its originality. But at this point, I’m more intrigued by the concept than I am engaged by the execution.
There are isolated moments and Tall Man scenes worth revisiting, but as a full viewing experience, it’s not something I’m eager to return to.
⭐ ⭐ ☆ ☆ ☆
Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead keeps the franchise alive with creativity and dedication, but it doesn’t evolve enough to feel essential.
The imagination is there. The villain is still iconic. But the storytelling remains loose, and the emotional core never fully clicks for me.
It’s another entry I respect as part of horror history — just not one I personally connect with beyond a few standout moments.
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