Phenomena has a lot of potential. It has great cast with Donald Pleasance and young Jennifer Connelly, and a lot of stylish things going on, but as a whole it's a little bit of mishmash. On the other hand it's quite cutesy but then there are some very disgusting special effects (cool!) Then there's also heavy metal music, which is also cool, but all these elements don't go together perfectly. Also the plot could be better. It seems like trying to be too many movies simultaneously. I would have liked the insect theme explored more (Early on it is revealed that the main character has some kind of supernatural connection to insects.) But then there's also a murderer, and should I say a monster... In some ways the movie reminds me of Argento's Inferno which also has weird scenes that don't make much sense but that movie worked better as a whole, with the right kind of music and such.
I like Phenomena but every time I watch it I expect a little bit too much, and it's not as great as I hope it to be. But still, if you like weird horror that is fairytale-ish and grotesque at the same time, and can be a bit cheesy at times too, then check it out.
I like Phenomena but every time I watch it I expect a little bit too much, and it's not as great as I hope it to be. But still, if you like weird horror that is fairytale-ish and grotesque at the same time, and can be a bit cheesy at times too, then check it out.