Review of The Frighteners (1996) by Tim G — 19 Mar 2010

Cult classic. Featuring the memorable Micheal J Fox and some suprising cameos like Lee Ermey and Jeffrey Combs. The Frighteners tells the tale of Frank Barrister who, due to a traumatic event in his past, can see dead peoples spirits. He uses this ability to start a business of scaming people into paying to conduct 'clearings'. There is however a growing number of suicides piling up in Barristers home town and when Barrister finds out that a spirit is behind it the whole story takes a sudden turn as Barristers past becomes entangled in the whole affair.

Overall this film is a suberb black comedy which maintains a very delicate balance between the comedic and the dark undertones it carries. Although Fox's character is classically ackward and disarmingly jittery, the foes he must face are shown in a very disturbing light. Throw in a score from the legendary Danny Elfman and you get a grimm tale that has its own magic and character.