# The Frighteners

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1996 film by Peter Jackson

For the Matt Helm spy novel by Donald Hamilton, see [*The Frighteners* (novel)](/source/The_Frighteners_(novel)). For *The Avengers* episode, see [The Frighteners (*The Avengers*)](/source/The_Frighteners_(The_Avengers)).

The Frighteners Theatrical release poster Directed by Peter Jackson Written by Fran Walsh Peter Jackson Produced by Peter Jackson Jamie Selkirk Starring Michael J. Fox Trini Alvarado Peter Dobson John Astin Dee Wallace Stone Jeffrey Combs Jake Busey Cinematography John Blick Alun Bollinger Edited by Jamie Selkirk Music by Danny Elfman Production company WingNut Films[1] Distributed by Universal Pictures[1] Release date July 19, 1996 (1996-07-19) Running time 110 minutes[2] Countries United States[3] New Zealand[3] Language English Budget $26 million[4] Box office $29.3 million

***The Frighteners*** is a 1996 [supernatural](/source/Supernatural_film) [comedy horror](/source/Comedy_horror) film directed by [Peter Jackson](/source/Peter_Jackson) and co-written with [Fran Walsh](/source/Fran_Walsh). The film stars [Michael J. Fox](/source/Michael_J._Fox), [Trini Alvarado](/source/Trini_Alvarado), [Peter Dobson](/source/Peter_Dobson), [John Astin](/source/John_Astin), [Dee Wallace Stone](/source/Dee_Wallace), [Jeffrey Combs](/source/Jeffrey_Combs), [R. Lee Ermey](/source/R._Lee_Ermey) and [Jake Busey](/source/Jake_Busey). *The Frighteners* tells the story of Frank Bannister (Fox), an architect who develops psychic abilities allowing him to see, hear, and communicate with [ghosts](/source/Ghost) after his wife's murder. He initially uses his new abilities to befriend ghosts, whom he sends to haunt people so that he can charge them handsome fees for "exorcising" the ghosts. However, the spirit of a mass murderer appears posing as the [Grim Reaper](/source/Personifications_of_death), able to attack the living and the dead, prompting Frank to investigate the supernatural presence.

Jackson and Walsh conceived the idea for *The Frighteners* during the script-writing phase of *[Heavenly Creatures](/source/Heavenly_Creatures)*. Executive producer [Robert Zemeckis](/source/Robert_Zemeckis) hired the duo to write the script, with the original intention of Zemeckis directing *The Frighteners* as a [spin-off](/source/Spin-off_(media)) film of the television series *[Tales from the Crypt](/source/Tales_from_the_Crypt_(TV_series))*. With Jackson and Walsh's first draft submitted in January 1994, Zemeckis believed the film would be better off directed by Jackson, produced by Zemeckis and funded/distributed by [Universal Studios](/source/Universal_Pictures). The visual effects were created by Jackson's [Weta Digital](/source/Weta_Digital), which had only been in existence for three years. This, plus the fact that *The Frighteners* required more digital effects shots than almost any movie made until that time, resulted in the eighteen-month period for effects work by Weta Digital being largely stressed.

Despite a rushed [post-production](/source/Post-production) schedule, Universal was so impressed with Jackson's [rough cut](/source/Rough_cut) on *The Frighteners*, the studio moved the theatrical release date up by three months. The film was not a [box office](/source/Box_office) success, barely making back its budget, but it received generally positive reviews from critics. The film gained a [cult following](/source/Cult_classic) and is considered an overlooked work in Jackson's catalog.[5][6][7][8][9]

## Plot

In 1964, in the town of Fairwater, Johnny Bartlett is executed for murdering 12 people at Fairwater sanatorium, driven by his desire to become the most prolific serial killer. His teenage lover, Patricia Ann Bradley, is sentenced to prison despite a lack of evidence that she helped Bartlett. Decades later, she is released into her mother's custody.

In 1990, architect Frank Bannister is living a selfish, strained marriage with his wife, Debra. During a heated argument, he drunkenly crashes his car, and police later find Debra dead nearby, with the number "13" carved into her forehead. Though Frank has no memory of the incident, the trauma leaves him able to see the spirit world. In the present, he lives in the decrepit shell of the house he was building for Debra. Consumed by guilt, he has become a cynical con man, using his abilities to "[exorcise](/source/Exorcism)" hauntings staged by ghostly partners—streetwise Cyrus, nerdy Stuart, and The Judge, an [Old West](/source/American_frontier) gunslinger.

During a job at the home of physician Lucy Lynskey and her arrogant husband Ray, Frank notices the number "37" glowing on Ray's forehead. Ray dies shortly after of a heart attack. Helping Lucy communicate with Ray's ghost, Frank witnesses a [Grim Reaper](/source/Death_(personification))–like entity crush the heart of another man marked "38". Panicked, Frank flees and follows a heavenly light to the museum, where he finds the number 39 victim. Soon after, a newspaper editor, Magda Rees-Jones—who had previously accused Frank of Debra's murder—becomes victim number 40. The Reaper destroys The Judge in the process.

The mounting deaths implicate Frank, and he surrenders to the police. He is interrogated by Milton Dammers, a disturbed [FBI](/source/Federal_Bureau_of_Investigation) agent traumatized by years of physical and sexual torture while working undercover in Satanic cults. Dammers is convinced Frank killed Debra and is [psychically](/source/Telekinesis) causing the unexplained heart attacks. Lucy visits Frank in jail, and they form a bond over shared loss. When the Reaper marks Lucy as victim 41, Cyrus and Stuart sacrifice themselves to save her and Frank. Unable to protect Lucy as a human, Frank has her induce a near-death state, slowing his heart with drugs and sealing him in a freezer. Dammers intervenes, capturing Lucy and leaving Frank to die, but Frank's spirit escapes and damages the pursuing Reaper's form, revealing it to be Bartlett himself.

After Frank revives, Lucy warns Patricia, her patient, about Bartlett, only to learn Patricia has remained devoted to him. Using his ashes she summoned his spirit from Hell to continue their killing spree, and murders her own mother to protect him. Frank and Lucy trap Bartlett in his urn and flee to the derelict sanatorium, planning to use its chapel to banish him to Hell. Pursued through the ruins by Patricia and Dammers, Frank experiences visions of the 1964 massacre, showing that Patricia actively participated in the killings. Frank also recalls that Bartlett's ghost murdered Debra, while Patricia carved the number into her forehead. Dammers unwittingly frees Bartlett from the urn and is promptly killed by Patricia.

Patricia strangles Frank to death, but Frank's spirit forcibly pulls Patricia's from her body and drags it toward Heaven, forcing Bartlett to follow. Bartlett frees her, but the pair are seized by a demonic force and dragged into Hell. In Heaven, Frank is reunited with Cyrus, Stuart, and Debra, who restore him to life on Earth; Debra tells him to be happy.

Some time later, Frank demolishes the unfinished house and begins a relationship with Lucy, who has now also gained the ability to see ghosts.

## Cast

- [Michael J. Fox](/source/Michael_J._Fox) as Frank Bannister, a former architect turned ghost hunter after the trauma of his wife dying. Although Jackson and Walsh envisioned *The Frighteners* as a low-budget film with unknown actors, Zemeckis suggested casting his *[Back to the Future](/source/Back_to_the_Future_(franchise))* star Fox in the lead role. Fox became enthusiastic about working with Jackson when he saw *[Heavenly Creatures](/source/Heavenly_Creatures)* at the [Toronto International Film Festival](/source/Toronto_International_Film_Festival).[10]

- [Trini Alvarado](/source/Trini_Alvarado) as Lucy Lynskey, a physician that Frank meets. The character is named after *Heavenly Creatures* star [Melanie Lynskey](/source/Melanie_Lynskey) (who also cameos in *The Frighteners*).[10]

- [Peter Dobson](/source/Peter_Dobson) as Ray Lynskey, Lucy's health-obsessed and comically hot-headed husband who dislikes Frank's tactics

- [John Astin](/source/John_Astin) as The Judge, a decaying [gunslinger](/source/Gunfighter) ghost from the Old West with a penchant for [mummies](/source/Mummy) and firing guns at random.[10]

- [Jeffrey Combs](/source/Jeffrey_Combs) as Milton Dammers, an eccentric FBI agent who has a vendetta against Bannister. A former [undercover agent](/source/Espionage) known for his work with [cultists](/source/Cult), which caused him to sustain multiple massive mutilations and drove him to the brink of [insanity](/source/Insanity), he has a problem with women screaming at him. Jackson opted to cast Combs as Dammers because he was a fan of the actor's work in *[Re-Animator](/source/Re-Animator)*.[11]

- [Dee Wallace Stone](/source/Dee_Wallace) as Patricia Bradley, inspired by [Caril Ann Fugate](/source/Caril_Ann_Fugate). Bartlett's [mentally ill](/source/Mental_disorder) lover (escaping execution at the time of the original murders as she was underage) who is under strict observation by her mother.

- [Jake Busey](/source/Jake_Busey) as Johnny Bartlett, a [mass murderer](/source/Mass_murder) inspired by [Charles Starkweather](/source/Charles_Starkweather) sharing the last name of his second and third victims, girlfriend and accomplice Caril Ann Fugate's mother and step-father Velda and Marion Bartlett. He continues his work in the afterlife, focusing on increasing his body count as a form of competition with other famous murderers. He returns from Hell, able to attack the living and the dead posing as the [Grim Reaper](/source/Personifications_of_death).

- [Chi McBride](/source/Chi_McBride) as Cyrus. One of Frank's deceased associates for his ghost-hunting business.

- [Jim Fyfe](/source/Jim_Fyfe) as Stuart, a [nerd](/source/Nerd) who is one of Frank's deceased associates for his ghost-hunting business.

- [Troy Evans](/source/Troy_Evans_(actor)) as Sheriff Walt Perry, a local law enforcement officer and ally to Frank.

- [Julianna McCarthy](/source/Julianna_McCarthy) as Old Lady Bradley, Patricia's mother and former director of the psychiatric hospital, who is constantly monitoring her daughter.

- [R. Lee Ermey](/source/R._Lee_Ermey) as Hiles, the ghost of a master sergeant. Ermey's performance in this film is heavily reminiscent of his performance as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in the 1987 film *[Full Metal Jacket](/source/Full_Metal_Jacket)*, sharing many mannerisms with the aforementioned character.[12]

- [Elizabeth Hawthorne](/source/Elizabeth_Hawthorne) as Magda Rees-Jones, the snooty British editor of the local newspaper.

- [Ken Blackburn](/source/Ken_Blackburn_(actor)) as Dr. Kamins, Lucy's colleague, whom she works for, and who performed the autopsies on Bartlett's recent victims, discovering that their deaths were not of natural causes.

In addition, [Peter Jackson](/source/Peter_Jackson) cameos as a man with piercings, his son Billy is a baby in a bouncer, [Melanie Lynskey](/source/Melanie_Lynskey) cameos as the deputy who is briefly seen standing next to Lucy Lynskey, Byron McCrawerly plays Victim #38 and [Angela Bloomfield](/source/Angela_Bloomfield) plays Frank's deceased wife, Debra.

## Production

### Development

[Peter Jackson](/source/Peter_Jackson) and co-writer [Fran Walsh](/source/Fran_Walsh) conceived the idea for *The Frighteners* in 1992, during the script-writing phase of *[Heavenly Creatures](/source/Heavenly_Creatures)*.[13] Together, they wrote a three-page [film treatment](/source/Film_treatment) and sent it to their [talent agent](/source/Talent_agent) in Hollywood. [Robert Zemeckis](/source/Robert_Zemeckis) viewed their treatment with the intention of directing *The Frighteners* as a [spin-off](/source/Spin-off_(media)) film of the television series, *[Tales from the Crypt](/source/Tales_from_the_Crypt_(TV_series))* (which he helped produce).[14][15] Zemeckis hired Jackson and Walsh to turn their treatment into a full-length screenplay in January 1993.[10] The husband and wife duo completed their first draft for *The Frighteners* in early January 1994. Zemeckis was so impressed with their script, he decided *The Frighteners* would work better directed by Jackson, executive produced by Zemeckis and funded/distributed by [Universal Pictures](/source/Universal_Pictures).[15] Universal [green-lighted](/source/Green-light) the film to commence [pre-production](/source/Pre-production) on a $26 million budget in April 1994.[13][16] The studio also granted Jackson and Zemeckis total [artistic control](/source/Artistic_control) and the right of [final cut privilege](/source/Final_cut_privilege).[14]

### Filming

Jackson decided to film *The Frighteners* entirely in New Zealand.[17] Zemeckis and Universal agreed on the condition that Jackson made New Zealand look similar to the [Midwestern United States](/source/Midwestern_United_States).[11] [Principal photography](/source/Principal_photography) began on May 14, 1995, and lasted until November 16, which is one of the longest [shooting schedules](/source/Shooting_schedule) ever approved by Universal Pictures. Six weeks into the shoot, [cinematographer](/source/Cinematographer) [Alun Bollinger](/source/Alun_Bollinger) had a serious car accident. His replacement, John Blick, later alternated duties with Bollinger for much of the rest of the shoot.[18] [Location shooting](/source/Location_shooting) primarily included [Wellington](/source/Wellington) and three weeks spent in [Lyttelton](/source/Lyttelton%2C_New_Zealand). Interior scenes were compiled at Camperdown Studios in [Miramar](/source/Miramar%2C_New_Zealand).[11]

### Visual effects

[Weta Digital](/source/Weta_Digital) created the visual effects and animation, which included [CGI](/source/Computer-generated_imagery), as well as [scale models](/source/Scale_model) (which were necessary to make [Lyttelton](/source/Lyttelton%2C_New_Zealand) look American),[10] [prosthetic makeup](/source/Prosthetic_makeup) and practical effects with help from [Weta Workshop](/source/Weta_Workshop). [Visual effects supervisor](/source/Visual_effects_supervisor) [Richard Taylor](/source/Richard_Taylor_(filmmaker)) explained that effects work on *The Frighteners* was complex due to Weta's inexperience with computer technology in the mid-1990s. Prior to this film, Weta worked largely with [physical effects](/source/Practical_effect). With so many ghosts among its main cast, *The Frighteners* required more digital effects shots than almost any movie made up till that time. For a special effects company that had been in existence less than three years, the eighteen-month period for completing *The Frighteners* was largely stressful.[18] Some shots were handled by a small New Zealand company called Pixel Perfect, many of whose employees would eventually join Weta Digital.[10] [Rick Baker](/source/Rick_Baker) was hired to design the prosthetic makeup for The Judge, portrayed by [John Astin](/source/John_Astin) (the detachable jawbone was later added digitally). However, Baker was not able to apply Astin's five hours of makeup due to his commitment on *[The Nutty Professor](/source/The_Nutty_Professor_(1996_film))*.[18] Makeup artist Brian Penikas ([*Pirates of the Caribbean* trilogy](/source/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean_(film_series)), *[Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull](/source/Indiana_Jones_and_the_Kingdom_of_the_Crystal_Skull)*) fulfilled Baker's duties.[19]

The extended shooting schedule owed much to the fact that scenes where ghosts and human characters interacted had to be filmed twice; once with human characters acting on set, and then with the ghost characters acting against a [blue screen](/source/Chroma_key). The two elements would later be digitally composited into one shot with the use of [split screen photography](/source/Split_screen_(video_production)). Such sequences required precise timing from the cast as they traded dialogue with characters who were merely blank air.[18] The hardest challenge for the digital animators at Weta was creating the [Grim Reaper](/source/Personifications_of_death), which went through many transformations before finding physical form.[19] "We set out with the intention of doing the Reaper as a rod [puppet](/source/Puppet), maybe shooting it in a water tank," Jackson commented. "We even thought of filming someone, dressed in costume, at different camera speeds."[18] Test footage was shot with puppets and a man in a Reaper suit, but in the end, it was decided that using [computer animation](/source/Computer_animation) would be the easiest task. Another character called "the Gatekeeper", a winged [cherub](/source/Cherub) who helps guard the cemetery, was deleted from the [final cut](/source/Final_cut_privilege).[20]

With digital effects work running behind schedule, Zemeckis convinced [Wes Takahashi](/source/Wes_Takahashi), an animation supervisor from visual effects company [Industrial Light & Magic](/source/Industrial_Light_%26_Magic) (ILM) to help work on *The Frighteners*.[20] "The shots Zemeckis showed me were pretty remarkable," Takahashi reflected, "but there were still about 400 shots to do, and everyone was kind of worried."[4] Takahashi was quickly drafted as a visual effects supervisor, and began looking at the schedule, trying to work out whether *The Frighteners* could be finished in time. "There was no way we'd make the deadline. I figured out a concerted plan involving Jackson and Zemeckis to convince Universal it was worthy of asking for more money."[4] The executives at Universal proposed splitting some of the shots to visual effects companies in the United States, but Jackson, for whom the film was a chance to show New Zealand filmmaking could stand alongside Hollywood, convinced Universal otherwise.[4] Instead, *The Frighteners* received an accelerated release date, four months earlier than planned, and an additional $6 million in financing, with fifteen digital animators and computer workstations (some were borrowed from Universal and other effects companies in the US).[21]

## Soundtrack

Further information: [The Frighteners (soundtrack)](/source/The_Frighteners_(soundtrack))

The [film score](/source/Film_score) was written and composed by [Danny Elfman](/source/Danny_Elfman). It was released in 1996 on [cassette](/source/Compact_Cassette) and [compact disc](/source/Compact_disc) by [MCA Records](/source/MCA_Records) and [Universal Records](/source/Universal_Records_(1995%E2%88%922006)).[22] The closing credits play a cover of [Blue Öyster Cult](/source/Blue_%C3%96yster_Cult)'s "[(Don't Fear) The Reaper](/source/(Don't_Fear)_The_Reaper)" performed by [New Zealand](/source/Music_of_New_Zealand) [alternative rock](/source/Alternative_rock) band [The Mutton Birds](/source/The_Mutton_Birds).[23][24] The Mutton Birds version of the song had been previously released as a [B-side](/source/A-side_and_B-side) to their single "She's Been Talking" released in 1996.[25] The credits also feature "[Superstar](/source/Superstar_(Delaney_and_Bonnie_song))", written by [Bonnie Bramlett](/source/Bonnie_Bramlett) and [Leon Russell](/source/Leon_Russell), and performed by [Sonic Youth](/source/Sonic_Youth).

## Release

### Theatrical

The intended release date was October 1996, but after Universal [studio executives](/source/Studio_executive) viewed a [rough cut](/source/Rough_cut) of *The Frighteners*, they were impressed enough to move the release date to their "summer [blockbuster](/source/Blockbuster_(entertainment)) slot" on July 19, 1996.[26] In addition, Universal offered Jackson the opportunity to make *[King Kong](/source/King_Kong_(2005_film))*, which was not released until 2005.[27] Jackson often disputed the [Motion Picture Association of America](/source/Motion_Picture_Association_of_America) (MPAA)'s decision on the film's rating. Aware that he was meant to be delivering Universal a PG-13 rated film, Jackson tried his best to omit [graphic violence](/source/Graphic_violence) as much as possible, but the MPAA still believed *The Frighteners* deserved an R rating.[28]

### Home media

*The Frighteners* was released on Laserdisc in 1996 in a standard release with Dolby surround on both Digital and Analog channels.

In 1998 Universal Home Video as part of the Signature Series collection released a special edition. This includes the first release of the 14-minute longer "director's cut", plus the following extras:

- Feature commentary by director Peter Jackson

- 4-hour documentary *The Making of The Frighteners*, directed by Peter Jackson, and featuring cast interviews, rehearsals, storyboards, miniatures, and special effects

- Deleted scenes

- Theatrical trailer

The later DVD was a re-release of this with inferior audio.

*The Frighteners* was first released on DVD in August 1998, but included no special features.[29]

To coincide with the release of Jackson's *[King Kong](/source/King_Kong_(2005_film))*,[30] [Universal Studios Home Entertainment](/source/Universal_Pictures_Home_Entertainment) issued a double-sided director's cut DVD of the film in November 2005,[31] which featured a version of *The Frighteners* that is 14 minutes longer.[32] The other side includes a documentary prepared by Jackson and WingNut Films originally for the Laserdisc release.[31] The theatrical and director's cuts were also made available on HD-DVD in 2007, and Blu-ray in 2011.[33][34]

## Reception

### Box office

*The Frighteners* was released in the United States in 1,675 theaters, and opened at #5, earning $5,565,495 during its opening weekend, averaging $3,335 per theater. The film eventually grossed a worldwide total of $29,359,216.[35] *The Frighteners* ended up being a [box office disappointment](/source/Box-office_bomb), mostly due to competition from *[Independence Day](/source/Independence_Day_(1996_film))*;[36] in interviews conducted years after *The Frighteners*' release, Jackson commented he was disappointed by Universal's ubiquitous marketing campaign, including a poster which "didn't tell you anything about the picture",[10] which he believed was the primary reason the film was not a financial success.[16] Additionally, the film opened on the same day the [Atlanta Summer Olympics](/source/1996_Summer_Olympics) began; when Jackson realized this and told the studio, they answered "'We don't think so; our research indicates that's not the case...' And I just thought how the hell do they know? There had only ever been three Olympic Games held in the United States in one hundred years!" Jackson acknowledged *The Frighteners*' tone made it hard to pigeon-hole and sell, and his experience on the film made him understand the importance of marketing.[10]

### Critical reception

[Peter Jackson](/source/Peter_Jackson) received two [Saturn Award](/source/Saturn_Award) nominations.

As of October 8, 2025[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Frighteners&action=edit), 66% of the 44 reviewers selected by review aggregator [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes) gave *The Frighteners* a positive review, and the average score is 6.2/10. The website's critical consensus states, "Boasting top-notch special effects and exuberant direction from Peter Jackson, *The Frighteners* is visually striking but tonally uneven."[37] Audiences polled by [CinemaScore](/source/CinemaScore) gave the film an average grade of "B−" on an A+ to F scale.[38]

[Kenneth Turan](/source/Kenneth_Turan) of the *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)* stated "Director Peter Jackson, at home with all kinds of excess in New Zealand, keeps everything spinning nicely, not even losing a step when the mood turns increasingly disturbing."[39] [Janet Maslin](/source/Janet_Maslin) from *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)* enjoyed *The Frighteners*, but "walked out the theater with mixed emotions," she commented that "Peter Jackson deserves more enthusiasm for expert, imaginative effects than for his live actors anyhow. These lively touches would leave *The Frighteners* looking more like a more frantic *[Beetlejuice](/source/Beetlejuice)* if Jackson's film weren't so wearyingly overcrowded. *The Frighteners* is not immune to overkill, even though most of its characters are already dead."[40] Jeff Vice of the *[Deseret News](/source/Deseret_News)* praised the acting in the film, with the performances of Fox and Alvarado in particular, but said that there were also "bits that push the taste barrier too far and which grind things to a screeching halt", and that if "Jackson had used the restraint he showed in *Heavenly Creatures*, the movie could have "been the best of its kind".[41] Critic [Christopher Null](/source/Christopher_Null) praised the film, as he described it as a mixture between *[Ghostbusters](/source/Ghostbusters)* and *[Twin Peaks](/source/Twin_Peaks)*.[32] Michael Drucker of [IGN](/source/IGN) said that although the film would not make Jackson's top five of movies, it "is a harmless and fun dark comedy that you'll enjoy casually watching from time to time".[30] *The Frighteners* received mixed reviews by critics from Jackson's native country, New Zealand.[28]

Conversely, Todd McCarthy of *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))* thought that the film should have remained an episode of *Tales from the Crypt*.[42] Critic [James Berardinelli](/source/James_Berardinelli) believed that although *The Frighteners* wasn't "a bad film", it was "a disappointment, following Jackson's powerful, true-life matricide tale, *[Heavenly Creatures](/source/Heavenly_Creatures)*", and because of that "*The Frighteners* fell short of expectations by being just one of many in the long line of 1996 summer movies."[43] *[Chicago Sun-Times](/source/Chicago_Sun-Times)*' [Roger Ebert](/source/Roger_Ebert) gave the film one star out of four, and felt that Jackson was more interested in [prosthetic makeup](/source/Prosthetic_makeup) designs, [computer animation](/source/Computer_animation), and special effects than writing a cohesive storyline.[44] Ebert and critic [Gene Siskel](/source/Gene_Siskel) gave it a "two thumbs down" rating on their TV show *[At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert](/source/At_the_Movies_(1982_TV_program))*.[45] *[Chicago Reader](/source/Chicago_Reader)* critic [Jonathan Rosenbaum](/source/Jonathan_Rosenbaum), described the film's special effects as "ugly, aggressive" and "proliferating", saying that "trying to keep interested in [the special effects] was like trying to remain interested in a loudmouth shouting in [his] ear".[46] Edward Guthmann of the *[San Francisco Chronicle](/source/San_Francisco_Chronicle)* stated that "instead of moving the horror genre in new directions, *The Frighteners* simply falls apart from its barrage of visual effects and the overmixed onslaught of Danny Elfman's music score".[47] *[The Austin Chronicle](/source/The_Austin_Chronicle)*'s Joey O'Brien, said that although the screenplay was "practically loaded with wild ideas, knowingly campy dialogue and offbeat characterizations", it "switched gears" too fast and too frequently that "the audience is left struggling to catch up as [*The Frighteners*] twists and turns its way unmercifully towards a literally out-of-this-world finale".[48]

### Accolades

At the [23rd Saturn Awards](/source/23rd_Saturn_Awards), the [Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films](/source/Academy_of_Science_Fiction%2C_Fantasy_and_Horror_Films) honored Jackson with nominations for [Best Director](/source/Saturn_Award_for_Best_Director) and [Best Writing](/source/Saturn_Award_for_Best_Writing), the latter he shared with wife [Fran Walsh](/source/Fran_Walsh). *The Frighteners* also was nominated for [Best Horror Film](/source/Saturn_Award_for_Best_Horror_Film), and for its [Special Effects](/source/Saturn_Award_for_Best_Special_Effects), [Make-up](/source/Saturn_Award_for_Best_Make-up) ([Rick Baker](/source/Rick_Baker)) and [Music](/source/Saturn_Award_for_Best_Make-up) ([Danny Elfman](/source/Danny_Elfman)). [Michael J. Fox](/source/Michael_J._Fox) and [Jeffrey Combs](/source/Jeffrey_Combs) were also nominated for their work.[49]

## See also

- [List of ghost films](/source/List_of_ghost_films)

- "[The Purple Testament](/source/The_Purple_Testament)", an episode of *[The Twilight Zone](/source/The_Twilight_Zone)* with a similar plotline

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-afi_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-afi_1-1) ["The Frighteners (1996)"](http://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/60331). *[AFI Catalog of Feature Films](/source/AFI_Catalog_of_Feature_Films)*. Retrieved September 11, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["*THE FRIGHTENERS* (15)"](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/AFF066313). *[British Board of Film Classification](/source/British_Board_of_Film_Classification)*. January 10, 1997. Retrieved November 21, 2012.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bfi_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bfi_3-1) ["The Frighteners (1996)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160403041731/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7dd5f03a). *[British Film Institute](/source/British_Film_Institute)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7dd5f03a) on April 3, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-stress_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-stress_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-stress_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-stress_4-3) Pryor, Ian (2003). [*Peter Jackson: From Prince of Splatter to Lord of the Rings*](https://archive.org/details/peterjacksonfrom0000pryo/page/204). New York: [Thomas Dunne Books](/source/Thomas_Dunne_Books). pp. [204–205](https://archive.org/details/peterjacksonfrom0000pryo/page/204). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-312-32294-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-312-32294-1).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Corrigan, Kalyn (December 14, 2018). ["How Peter Jackson's the Frighteners Brought the Personification of Death to Life"](https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/frighteners-grim-reaper-backstory.html). *Vulture*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Parks, Brent (May 8, 2018). ["Peter Jackson's 'The Frighteners': An Unjustly Forgotten Gem"](https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/3497661/peter-jacksons-frighteners-unjustly-forgotten-gem/). *Bloody Disgusting*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Bumbray, Chris (October 20, 2020). ["Peter Jackson's the Frighteners: The Best Movie You Never Saw"](https://www.joblo.com/peter-jackson-the-frighteners-the-best-movie-you-never-saw/). *JoBlo*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Doupe', Tyler (July 21, 2022). ["'The Frighteners' is the Perfect Bookend to Peter Jackson's Horror Period"](https://www.dreadcentral.com/editorials/433777/the-frighteners-is-the-perfect-bookend-to-peter-jacksons-horror-period/). *Dread Central*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Lussier, Germain (May 11, 2018). ["The Frighteners, Peter Jackson's Precursor to Lord of the Rings, Still Scares and Surprises"](https://gizmodo.com/the-frighteners-peter-jacksons-precursor-to-lord-of-th-1825891383). *Gizmodo*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-biography_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-biography_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-biography_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-biography_10-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-biography_10-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-biography_10-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-biography_10-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-biography_10-7) [Sibley, Brian](/source/Brian_Sibley) (2006). *Peter Jackson: A Film-maker's Journey*. London: [HarperCollins](/source/HarperCollins). pp. 261, 303–322, 331–333. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-00-717558-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-00-717558-2).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-camp_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-camp_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-camp_11-2) Pryor, p.196-200

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Valletta, Evan (December 15, 2017). ["The Legend of R. Lee Ermey, 'Full Metal Jacket' drill sergeant"](https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2017/12/05/legend-r-lee-ermey-full-metal-jacket-drill-sergeant). *[SBS](/source/Special_Broadcasting_Service)*. Retrieved April 29, 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bob_13-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bob_13-1) Pryor, p.191-195

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-blood_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-blood_14-1) Helms, Michael (July 1996). "The Frighteners". *[Fangoria](/source/Fangoria)*. pp. 35–41.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-better_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-better_15-1) Sibley, p.273-279

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-market_16-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-market_16-1) Sibley, p.330-339

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Archerd, Amy](/source/Army_Archerd) (February 15, 1995). ["Cates thinks diverse noms make for good TV"](https://variety.com/1995/voices/columns/cates-thinks-diverse-noms-make-for-good-tv-1117862643/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. Retrieved December 24, 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-long_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-long_18-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-long_18-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-long_18-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-long_18-4) Pryor, p.201-203

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Indy_19-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Indy_19-1) Vaz, Mark Cota (June 1996). "*The Frighteners*: The Thrill of the Haunt". *[Cinefex](/source/Cinefex)*. pp. 67–71.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Japan_20-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Japan_20-1) Sibley, p.320-329

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Pryor, pp. 300-309

1. **[^](#cite_ref-allmusic_22-0)** ["The Frighteners overview"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r238037). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved February 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["The Mutton Birds: overview"](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p165401). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved February 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** "The Frighteners: Music From The Motion Picture [SOUNDTRACK]". *[Amazon.com](/source/Amazon_(company))*. [ASIN](/source/ASIN_(identifier)) [B000002P1W](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000002P1W).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["She's Been Talking"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/r365085). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. Retrieved February 20, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-shop_26-0)** [Thompson, Anne](/source/Anne_Thompson_(film_critic)) (August 2, 1996). ["Little Shop of Horror"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150925223644/https://ew.com/article/1996/08/02/frighteners-has-plenty-scare-no-blood/). *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)*. Archived from [the original](https://ew.com/article/1996/08/02/frighteners-has-plenty-scare-no-blood/) on September 25, 2015. Retrieved December 24, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Sibley, p.210-319

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-fright_28-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-fright_28-1) Pryor, p.206-211

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** *The Frighteners (1996)*. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [078322799X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/078322799X).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kong_30-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kong_30-1) Drucker, Michael (December 14, 2005). ["I Can't Believe It's Not Burton"](http://dvd.ign.com/articles/675/675620p1.html). *[IGN](/source/IGN)*. Retrieved December 24, 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-amazon_31-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-amazon_31-1) ["The Frighteners (Director's Cut) (1996)"](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ASATYO/). *[Amazon.com](/source/Amazon_(company))*. November 29, 2005. Retrieved December 25, 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-null_32-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-null_32-1) [Null, Christopher](/source/Christopher_Null) (1996). ["The Frighteners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080709064126/http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/reviews/The-Frighteners). [Filmcritic.com](/source/Christopher_Null). Archived from [the original](http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/reviews/The-Frighteners) on July 9, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** ["The Frighteners (Peter Jackson's Director's Cut) \[HD DVD\] (1996)"](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O179EA/). *[Amazon.com](/source/Amazon_(company))*. May 29, 2007. Retrieved December 25, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** [*The Frighteners Blu-ray*](http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Frighteners-Blu-ray/16134/), retrieved April 30, 2018

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["The Frighteners"](https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=frighteners.htm). *[Box Office Mojo](/source/Box_Office_Mojo)*. Retrieved December 24, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-36)** Woods, Mark (December 31, 1996). [""Daylight" in Money O'Seas"](https://variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/daylight-in-money-o-seas-1117436171/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. Retrieved April 17, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-37)** ["The Frighteners (1996)"](https://rottentomatoes.com/m/frighteners/). *[Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes)*. [Fandango Media](/source/Fandango_Media). Retrieved October 8, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-CinemaScore_38-0)** ["CinemaScore"](https://m.cinemascore.com). *cinemascore.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-39)** [Turan, Kenneth](/source/Kenneth_Turan) (July 19, 1996). ["*Frighteners* Jolts Both Nerves and Funny Bone"](http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-movie960719-3,0,6464899.story). *[Los Angeles Times](/source/Los_Angeles_Times)*. Retrieved December 24, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-40)** [Maslin, Janet](/source/Janet_Maslin) (July 19, 1996). ["FILM REVIEW; Ghosts All Over the Place"](https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/19/movies/film-review-ghosts-all-over-the-place.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved April 17, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-41)** Vice, Jeff (July 23, 1996). ["Frighteners, The"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090223222652/http://deseretnews.com/movies/review/1%2C5208%2C653%2C00.html). *[Deseret News](/source/Deseret_News)*. Archived from [the original](http://deseretnews.com/movies/review/1,5208,653,00.html) on February 23, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** McCarthy, Todd (July 15, 1996). ["The Frighteners"](https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/the-frighteners-1200446176/). *[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine))*. Retrieved April 17, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-reelviews_43-0)** [Berardinelli, James](/source/James_Berardinelli) (1996). ["The Frighteners"](http://preview.reelviews.net/movies/f/frighteners.html). *ReelViews*. Retrieved December 24, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** [Ebert, Roger](/source/Roger_Ebert) (July 19, 1996). ["The Frighteners"](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-frighteners-1996). *[Chicago Sun-Times](/source/Chicago_Sun-Times)*. Retrieved October 24, 2022 – via RogerEbert.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Siskel/Ebert_45-0)** [Ebert, Roger](/source/Roger_Ebert); [Siskel, Gene](/source/Gene_Siskel) (July 19, 1996). ["The Frighteners"](http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/ebertandroeper/index2.html?sec=6&subsec=Frighteners). *[At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert](/source/At_the_Movies_(1982_TV_program))*. Retrieved February 11, 2009.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_multiple_names:_authors_list)) [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-46)** [Rosenbaum, Jonathan](/source/Jonathan_Rosenbaum) (1996). ["Quick Change Artists"](http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/quick-change-artists/Content?oid=891073). *[Chicago Reader](/source/Chicago_Reader)*. Retrieved February 10, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-47)** Guthmann, Edward (July 19, 1996). ["Film Review — "Frighteners" Busted by Special Effects"](https://web.archive.org/web/20040513165644/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1996/07/19/DD61313.DTL). *[San Francisco Chronicle](/source/San_Francisco_Chronicle)*. p. D13. Archived from [the original](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1996/07/19/DD61313.DTL) on May 13, 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-48)** O'Brien, Joey (July 19, 1996). ["The Frighteners"](https://www.austinchronicle.com/screens/the-frighteners-11914863/). *[The Austin Chronicle](/source/The_Austin_Chronicle)*. Retrieved April 17, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-49)** ["Past Saturn Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110512032708/http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html). *Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films*. Archived from [the original](http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html) on May 12, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2008.

- [Michael Jahn](/source/Michael_Jahn) (July 1996). *The Frighteners: A Novel*. [Novelization](/source/Novelization) of the film. [Berkley Books](/source/Berkley_Books). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-57297-187-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-57297-187-5).

## External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[The Frighteners](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/The_Frighteners)***.

- [*The Frighteners*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116365/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [*The Frighteners*](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=frighteners.htm) at [Box Office Mojo](/source/Box_Office_Mojo)

- [Richard Corliss](/source/Richard_Corliss) (April 26, 2004). ["The 2004 Time 100: Peter Jackson"](https://web.archive.org/web/20100506020503/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1970858_1970890_1971159,00.html). *[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))*. Archived from [the original](http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1970858_1970890_1971159,00.html) on May 6, 2010.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [The Frighteners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Frighteners) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Frighteners?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.