I thought it would be helpful to share what’s ahead for the next two months.
At Projected Hues, Jessica and I are devoting October and November to one of horror cinema’s most distinctive and enduring franchises: Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm.
Across five films, the Phantasm series blends gothic horror, science fiction, and dream logic, anchored by the surreal imagery of silver spheres and the unforgettable presence of the Tall Man. We’re calling this journey Season of the Sphere—a two-month podcast exploration of a saga that is as audacious as it is haunting.
Episode 26: Phantasm (1979), September 22
The film that launched the franchise and cemented its cult status. Phantasm follows teenager Mike, his brother Jody, and their friend Reggie as they uncover a terrifying truth lurking in a small-town funeral home. Blending gothic horror with science fiction and dream logic, the film introduces the iconic silver spheres and the towering menace of the Tall Man.
Episode 27: Phantasm II (1988), October 01
With a larger budget and a more expansive scope, Phantasm II transforms the story into a road-warrior horror odyssey. Mike and Reggie take the fight directly to the Tall Man, facing nightmarish landscapes, grotesque creatures, and surreal set pieces. A blend of action and horror, this sequel elevates the stakes while preserving the franchise’s uncanny atmosphere.
Episode 28: Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead (1994), October 15
The third entry leans deeper into the mythology of the Tall Man while placing Reggie at the center of the narrative. Equal parts bizarre adventure and dark comedy, Lord of the Dead expands the universe with new characters, more elaborate set pieces, and a return to the dreamlike tone that made the first film so haunting.
Episode 29: Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998), October 29
A reflective and surreal continuation, Oblivion incorporates previously unused footage from the original film to create a sense of disorientation and continuity. The story dives further into the Tall Man’s origins and cosmic designs, delivering a lean, haunting chapter that feels as much like a meditation on mortality as a continuation of the saga.
Episode 30: Phantasm: Ravager (2016), November 12
The final installment brings the saga to a close, with timelines collapsing and realities bleeding together. Reggie emerges as the emotional center, confronting the Tall Man in a battle where dream, memory, and apocalypse intertwine. Ravager serves as both a chaotic finale and a poignant farewell to Angus Scrimm in his final performance as one of horror’s most unforgettable figures.
Season of the Sphere is our exploration of the surreal, audacious, and unforgettable world of Phantasm. Join us every other week this fall as we trace the journey across five films, two months, and one enduring nightmare.