The Frighteners

Eine unterhaltsame Geistergeschichte mit dem traditionell ausgezeichneten Michael J. Fox und einigen kranken Tricks. Jackson zeigt, dass er keine Probleme mit phantasievollen Wendungen zwischen Komödie und Horror hat, auch wenn dieser Film leider einen gewissen Hauch von Regie-Routine aufweist. Die Figur des halbzerfallenen Geistes eines Veteranen (gibt es einen Begriff für einen Geist?) ist wirklich urkomisch :o). Unprätentiös, lässig, aber in Jacksons Filmografie The Frighteners durch nichts hervorstechend... (28.01.2004)

A cross between Ghostbusters and Natural Born Killers. If it was made by another director, I'd buy it, but I didn't expect such a mediocre film from Jackson. There are some brilliant moments (e.g. the scene from the Egyptology museum), but the mixed feelings prevail. (30.07.2002)

One of those films in which everything is just right. Peter Jackson brims with both fierce directorial and screenwriting ideas. The Frighteners is constantly entertaining, and black humor lovers are sure to really enjoy it. Michael J. Fox starring and music from Danny Elfman and the fantastic special effects of the Weta Studio make all those fiery dead and flying spirits a joy to behold. (20.02.2021)

The premise is great, the actors are brilliant, the execution is funny and creative, and yet there’s something missing. Or maybe there is so much that we gradually get lost in all the references, boogeymen killing boogeymen and boogeymen talking to strange people, and get so deep into Jackson's head that the very superficial, unoriginal and unexpectedly overwrought final act doesn't touch us and we are left with the familiar feeling of "this should have been different (and better)". I had fun the first time, the second time I would have to skip a lot between scenes, so a golden and harmless average – 60% (01.05.2014)

Decent fun, but if Jackson had gone easier on the special effects and left the comedy aspect aside, I can imagine that this story could be nicely scary. Instead, it looks as if Marty McFly had gone to New Zealand to fool around with ghosts, instead of seriously taking care of issues related to time travel. (29.08.2011)