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Phantom of the Paradise
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Phantom of the Paradise

1974
Comedy
Drama
1h 31m
A disfigured musician sells his soul for the woman he loves so that she will perform his music. (imdb)
Directed by:
Brian De Palma Brian De Palma
Written by:
Brian De Palma Brian De Palma
Starring:
Gerrit Graham Gerrit Graham Jessica Harper Jessica Harper Archie Hahn Jeffrey Comanor Peter Elbling George Memmoli George Memmoli William Finley Paul Williams Paul Williams
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Genres:
Comedy, Drama, Musical, Fantasy, Horror, Music
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Phantom of the Paradise

1974
Comedy
Drama
1h 31m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 62.61% from 830 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 18 Aug 2010
90
92nd
Wish rappers and dumb white kids would like this Brian DePalma movie as much as Scarface because the world we know would be NUTS
Rated 18 Aug 2010
twincinematwincinema
Rated 04 Jan 2017
85
85th
If I had the ability to go back in time, and god help me I will eventually, my first stop is to go witness the production of this film.
Rated 04 Jan 2017
paxtonPaxton
Rated 04 Dec 2017
70
65th
When I say, "Sex Symbol!" you say, "Paul Williams!" "Sex Symbol!" - *crickets chirp*
Rated 04 Dec 2017
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 09 Oct 2020
87
80th
Wow, what an experience. This is a film H'wood would've never made if not for the brief popularity of rock operas. It takes "highbrow" influences & turns them into a garish live-action cartoon about rock celebrity w/ Paul Williams' music. Any 1 of these elements is likely to turn off fans of the other 3, but all of this worked for me. I'm sure it helped that I've never seen Phantom of the Opera (which I assume this is based on) so I found it mostly unpredictable & compellingly unusual.
Rated 09 Oct 2020
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 17 Aug 2012
79
57th
Expected "so bad it's good', but got a genuinely good, though not great, film. Make no mistake, it's over the top from start to finish, in a way that could only have been done in the 70s, and it's the better for it. De Palma does a great job of fully committing to the style, the colour pops, and the set and costume design are perfect in setting the mood. I really like how the Phantom takes a central role and is neither pitiable nor disdainful. He's fully fleshed out, albeit with a bizarre arc.
Rated 17 Aug 2012
terrymacterrymac
Rated 01 Aug 2022
79
81st
What the hell? I really liked this, although I'm finding it difficult to fully understand why. I think I might like it for the same reasons I liked Rocky Horror (although it may have more in common with its quasi-follow-up Shock Treatment, not least Jessica Harper), and I'm not sure what those reasons are either. Loud, garish, tuneful fun.
Rated 01 Aug 2022
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 26 Sep 2007
79
62nd
This nutjob rock musical is a mash-up of Faust and Phantom of the Opera. William Finley plays a betrayed composer who starts off looking and behaving like the love child of Alison Janney and Don Music before transforming into a more musical Luther the Geek and finishes as Victor Von Doom in an Eyes Wide Shut mask. It's colorful and insane, like a melting funhouse viewed through a kaleidoscope. De Palma doesn't just let his freak flag fly, he sets it on fire and blows an airhorn while it burns.
Rated 26 Sep 2007
madmanMadMan
Rated 08 Aug 2015
100
96th
De Palma channels Hitchcock, Welles and old school horror in this epic masterwork that also sports a brilliant soundtrack. There should be more gothic musicals.
Rated 08 Aug 2015
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 27 Aug 2014
82
88th
Such an out-loud, glamorous, horny, wacky and bizarre rock musical that it could only have been directed by De Palma. Not just because of the brilliant use of the split-screen, but also for its sense of collective madness surrounding celebrities (they die at the end, but the crowd is still partying), the director turns the famous opera into a frenzy Faust adaptation about this singer-songwriter that had his sonata stolen by a business man, then uses his scars to accomplish his revenge.
Rated 27 Aug 2014
barthalenBarthalen
Rated 16 Jan 2017
60
38th
Where there might normally be a line between camp and satire, here it's more a jumping rope spinning wildly. The songs and/or performances are often goofy as hell, and whatever point this tried to make about selling out or copyright infringement is almost immediately buried underneath all the... everything. As a person who hates musicals, fun and fun musicals, it's probably best to ignore my opinion on this.
Rated 16 Jan 2017
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 03 Jun 2018
88
92nd
Overshadowed and a not talked about enough, De Palma's crazy rock opera is a riot. There is so much to love in all of its chaos.
Rated 03 Jun 2018
neonmanNeonman
Rated 02 Jan 2019
91
93rd
For fans of a very '70s film sensibility, this will come across as a pulsating and very alive production. Must've been influenced by and influenced Ken Russell, every department of this film clearly has an affection for music, theatre, rock opera, and of course cinema. It rehashes age-old texts like Faust and Phantom of the Opera and gives them a much needed modern oomph, all the while criticising the culture it emulates (another classic '70s staple).
Rated 02 Jan 2019
moviesinhellmoviesinhell
Rated 22 Mar 2009
75
54th
A bright, savvy satire on the music industry that also delivers its fair share of chills, twists, and texture. Special kudos go to Graham as fey glitter-rock animal Beef, the key figure in the wittiest _Psycho_ shower-scene send-up I've seen. And Sissy Spacek designed the sets!
Rated 22 Mar 2009
darrenDarren
Rated 15 Aug 2022
81
79th
What money does to art. How violence and perversion are the roots of all Hollywood production. Even those with integrity eventually fold under the guise of fame. A fitting film for the hippie era. The thirst for blood. A cacophony of nothingness. You like the audience at paradise crave violence and DePalma gives it to us. A lush colour palette out a giallo picture.
Rated 15 Aug 2022
irvinejumpirvinejump
Rated 30 Sep 2008
95
98th
GENIUS retelling of Phantom of the Opera with the INSPIRED casting of Paul Williams as the demon
Rated 30 Sep 2008
himinotebookHiminotebook
Rated 07 Mar 2018
93
81st
A gorgeous, unique and utterly bizarre take on both Faust and Phantom Of The Opera with all the glitz and 1970s showbiz sleaze you could ever want and some true bangers on the soundtrack
Rated 07 Mar 2018
randallodimRandallODim
Rated 04 Aug 2013
88
88th
Fuck Scarface; This is De Palma's masterpiece.
Rated 04 Aug 2013
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 20 Sep 2013
90
96th
Brilliant.
Rated 20 Sep 2013
damildamil
Rated 28 Jul 2015
65
54th
The music was pretty good, and I liked the costumes and overall look of the film. De Palma shows off his typically inventive directing style, too. It's become a bit of a cult classic, and I hope it becomes more of one. I didn't love it, but I thought it was cool and I think it'll stick in my mind for some time to come.
Rated 28 Jul 2015
closefriendCloseFriend
Rated 22 Aug 2013
81
77th
This musical stands far inferior to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, but it still has great music, intriguing set design, and beautifully campy performances in its own right. Jessica Harper knocks her part clear out of the park. I found the film's depiction of LGBT characters pleasantly approbative for its time as well.
Rated 22 Aug 2013
joojooJooJoo
Rated 24 Sep 2010
3
31st
Holy shit De Palma. For something that's at least part musical the music ranges from bland to terrible, and some of the acting (specifically in lead) looks like it belongs in a Troma production. This really isn't a good movie at all, but I gotta admire how cracked out he made this variant on the two myths. Both embracing the absurdity of its times and ridiculing.
Rated 24 Sep 2010
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 01 Jun 2023
77
53rd
An enjoyable (and earwormy) splashy camp musical; no doubt inspired by the Rocky Horror stage show and while it can’t quite capture the same manic energy as Rocky, it certainly has its moments; Harper’s genuinely great musical performance outshines a pair of truly bizarre ones from Williams and Finley, but then Graham comes in and handily steals the show from all. Well-crafted and directed by De Palma as usual, bar some ostentatious (and unnecessary) use of split screen.
Rated 01 Jun 2023
bownBown
Rated 30 Jan 2022
86
80th
I watched this four movies deep into an all-night mystery movie marathon and I’m not entirely sure I didn’t just dream it but either way it was insanely good
Rated 30 Jan 2022
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 10 Dec 2016
10
97th
This should be revered more. Not sure how many other directors could pull this off. Always something hectic happening while at the same time being totally tantalizing to watch (and listen). Bizarrely wonderful.
Rated 10 Dec 2016
stainStain
Rated 30 Mar 2007
100
95th
Awesome. My favorite version of the PotOpera story. They'll never make movies like this one ever again
Rated 30 Mar 2007
fenixdownfenixdown
Rated 26 Aug 2013
82
83rd
An brilliant musical and a scathing critique of the music industry.
Rated 26 Aug 2013
spikycactusSpikyCactus
Rated 09 Jun 2020
80
78th
Top badass moment? A film made in the early 70’s that isn’t crap. Well okay it is, but it’s good crap, like Tesco’s Jammy Doughnuts; (for details see the survey the Good Housekeeping Institute carried out during National Doughnut Week 2015). Better than all it's myriad of influences, it also contains Beef that even vegans can enjoy. And what did I learn watching it? Never to mess with another guy’s cantata. No cats or chainsaws; or decapitations, (as long as you exclude the dummies).
Rated 09 Jun 2020
frederFreder
Rated 12 Mar 2009
89
83rd
Other than OBSESSION, this is the only movie in de Palma's resume that I can say I really like. Though it hasn't aged entirely well and is very much of its time, it's still so far over-the-top and so cunning in the way it remixes the story that you can't help but be entertained. Fun performances from Gerrit Graham and especially Paul Williams as Swan. Great design, too.
Rated 12 Mar 2009
moonsmilkmoonsmilk
Rated 29 Aug 2017
9
80th
I love this goofy-ass movie so much.
Rated 29 Aug 2017
monisitMonisit
Rated 15 Jan 2017
70
41st
Too much camp for me. The music was surprisingly good, but other than that it's just an all around camp fest - which just happens to have a huge budget. Winslow is just really boring as a protagonist and spends most of his time just doing one of two things. Swan is just a terrible villain. And the love interest is laughably bad, barely even a character at all.
Rated 15 Jan 2017
bavafreakBavafreak
Rated 10 Feb 2011
95
90th
The best horror rock opera... and probably the only horror rock opera.
Rated 10 Feb 2011
chemical404chemical404
Rated 27 Mar 2017
66
73rd
Drug induced version of Phantom of The Opera. It's silly, but I liked the style. Also, I loved Jessica Harper's awkward dancing. I already rewatched scenes with her multiple times since.
Rated 27 Mar 2017
mightysparksmightysparks
Rated 06 Oct 2012
60
68th
Loved the style, the humour and the music, but after the first half, I found it less interesting. Not a bad film at all though.
Rated 06 Oct 2012
haileyHailey
Rated 09 Oct 2008
98
97th
They need to make a Broadway musicial based on this film!
Rated 09 Oct 2008
frankswildfrankswild
Rated 06 Jun 2012
75
63rd
The first time I saw this was with no sound in a bar; the bartender assured me that rewatching it with the sound probably wasn't necessary (I think he was right). The insane image of the bulging eye behind that strange and ridiculous mask was great but there were other parts that were pretty bad.
Rated 06 Jun 2012
chmulcr0nchmul_cr0n
Rated 02 Feb 2012
83
94th
it's amazing, this mixture of retardedness and depalmaness. :D this movie is so fucking crazy...
Rated 02 Feb 2012
spleenspleen
Rated 09 Aug 2010
14
7th
Whatever hallucinagens were not used on the cast and crew must have been spoonfed to the studios for letting this one out.
Rated 09 Aug 2010
boxcarsBoxcars
Rated 11 May 2015
7
49th
Bombastic, lively, and wholly ridiculous; "Paradise" is a superficial commentary on the evils of the show business that barrages the viewer with surrealistic images and a catchy musical number or two.
Rated 11 May 2015
peyrinpeyrin
Rated 28 Feb 2021
75
69th
It's unfair how good this soundtrack is lol. Even the Beach Boys pastiche is amazing.
Rated 28 Feb 2021
cinemahellcinema_hell
Rated 15 Apr 2009
83
70th
Over the top, absurd, to say the least. All in De Palma's trademark style. It shows you how pathetic most of those 70s popstars were.
Rated 15 Apr 2009
mspraguemsprague
Rated 01 Oct 2020
70
60th
Pretty schlocky but I still like it.
Rated 01 Oct 2020
overratedoverrated
Rated 27 May 2022
71
79th
Far more enjoyable than Rocky Horror, although Tim Curry still has the best performance between the two.
Rated 27 May 2022
capodelnullacapodelnulla
Rated 13 Apr 2018
75
69th
muhtemelen de palma dışında kimse kolay kolay bir müzikali böyle hayranlıkla izletemezdi bana. delice ve harika bir iş.
Rated 13 Apr 2018
zanginZangin
Rated 27 Jul 2019
63
46th
It's a really fun premise and, visually, the film is a joy to watch. However, the best of the music is honestly heard within the first twenty minutes and in terms of narrative, the film kind of sinks among its multitude of literary and cinematic influences without really bringing anything new to the game (even the whole campy rock opera thing was done leagues better by rocky horror). Still, it's certainly a fun watch.
Rated 27 Jul 2019
wetwillieswetwillies
Rated 09 Aug 2011
92
89th
A wild satire of rock music. If only every rock opera was as awesome as this one.
Rated 09 Aug 2011
seethruskinSeethruskin
Rated 12 Aug 2022
5
81st
Way better and far more interesting than something like Rocky Horror. Great use of split screen and the phantom is a great personification for de Palma’s interest in voyeurism. Always watching creepily. Properly skewers one of the worst time in rock music.
Rated 12 Aug 2022
yiannosYiannos
Rated 01 Sep 2016
73
78th
Depalma's satire of the music business, which was becoming increasingly corporate at the time, is a wild and amusing send up of glam rock (predating Rocky Horror ) and of the compromises artists have to make to become famous. It's a time capsule film, so it has inevitably dated, but it has considerable camp value and visual energy to spare; De Palma pulls out all the stops, from split screens to slowmo, and the gaudy costumes and set design are impressive. Shame the songs vary in quality.
Rated 01 Sep 2016
babycarrotBabycarrot
Rated 21 May 2016
95
47th
thanks a lot paul williams for making the soundtrack so dang dated
Rated 21 May 2016
velvet_croweVelvet Crowe
Rated 13 Sep 2023
83
93rd
This movie is good just on its cinematic qualities alone boasting damn brilliant shot composition and editing. As a narrative, the movie's camp creates a theatre-esque vibe that elevates its theme of exploitation in art, all to the sound of a chorus of apathy from a ruckus crowd who is nonetheless wiser about it all. Dialog is a bit weak and actors never have a strong performance in any area, but when it's otherwise so cool and dynamic it's very easy to just accept that as part of ride.
Rated 13 Sep 2023
biggerkevinbiggerkevin
Rated 28 Sep 2022
7
96th
Thinking about an alternate world where this became the queer horror camp classic that rocky horror is
Rated 28 Sep 2022
nobletNoblet
Rated 23 Aug 2016
78
65th
I wish the music was better. Still pretty sweet.
Rated 23 Aug 2016
dilladilla
Rated 18 Jun 2010
100
87th
BEEF BEEF BEEF BEEF BEEF BEEF BEEF BEEF
Rated 18 Jun 2010
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 31 Jul 2020
72
51st
An over the top campy fun sidestep in De Palma's career. The songs are extremely catchy.
Rated 31 Jul 2020
ahamel7896ahamel7896
Rated 19 Jun 2012
8
75th
Better than Rocky Horror. Wonderful songs by Paul Williams and the de Palma magic is on full display here. The split screen scene is amazing.
Rated 19 Jun 2012
glm01glm01
Rated 18 Sep 2013
84
79th
83.500
Rated 18 Sep 2013
mojojoestarMojoJoestar
Rated 08 May 2023
70
58th
You have to be a certain type of person to enjoy this movie. Thankfully, I am that certain type.
Rated 08 May 2023
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 11 Oct 2023
60
35th
I liked this a little more than expected, perhaps because of all the nods to other films (obviously, Faust and Phantom of the Opera, but even Psycho and Manchurian Candidate). I was not expecting "Rainbow Connection" Paul Williams to be the baddie here. While it was generally fun, I thought the story just completely stopped during each song, making me think this was much longer than it was.
Rated 11 Oct 2023
hulothulot
Rated 09 Jan 2014
80
81st
watched: 2014, 2015, 2022
Rated 09 Jan 2014
bob_thrillinbob thrillin
Rated 16 May 2013
84
71st
90 minutes of pure, unadulterated, glorious camp.
Rated 16 May 2013
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 06 Nov 2010
35
90th
"As in that other great musical spoof, The Girl Can't Help It, Phantom of the Paradise draws withering links between product and consumer." - Fernando F. Croce
Rated 06 Nov 2010
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 02 Mar 2007
30
9th
Poor.
Rated 02 Mar 2007
ab_i_hayaAb-ı Haya
Rated 13 Mar 2022
71
30th
12.21 Sarıgül
Rated 13 Mar 2022
ericamblerericambler
Rated 14 Feb 2024
76
65th
Deliriously creative. ROCKY HORROR goes to college and takes courses on the New Hollywood and 19th century literature.
Rated 14 Feb 2024
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 28 Oct 2015
90
91st
Now I know why all of the underground film scene was really depressed back in April 2012
Rated 28 Oct 2015
jakeaestheteJakeAesthete
Rated 03 Sep 2016
35
31st
I figured if there was any De Palma film that there was a chance of me enjoying, it would be this one. Which, well sure, i guess so... But i probably would have liked it just as much if Ken Russell had directed it (and aside from some of De Palma's trademark voyeurism motif, it easily could have been). It would probably be easier for me to simply kick back and enjoy it's ridiculous, garish campiness if i didn't know that lots of people actually think this guy is a legitimately good filmmaker.
Rated 03 Sep 2016
the_pirateThe Pirate
Rated 29 May 2018
69
28th
This movie feels more influenced by drugs than Scarface, De Palma's movie about actual drugs! Picture the child of A Clockwork Orange and The Phantom of the Opera; a bizarre cocktail of over the top acting, clever commentary, classic literature, ridiculous visuals, and music that ranges from intentionally annoying to inadvertently entertaining. From start to finish it's insanity personified.
Rated 29 May 2018
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 08 Jul 2023
95
97th
A completely bonkers, oddball, campy mashup of Phantom of the Opera and Faust and many other things that is just an insanely good time. I'm not precisely sure what point De Palma is trying to make about celebrity culture or fame, but it hardly matters because you're just having too much fun watching this fever dream of a film. I'm surprised this doesn't have a bigger cult following like a Rocky Horror (I far preferred this--not a fan of Rocky Horror) or something. Just delicious.
Rated 08 Jul 2023
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 07 Apr 2009
65
26th
if only the songs were good.
Rated 07 Apr 2009

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