Phantasm IV: Oblivion

Continuing directly from the cliffhanger of Phantasm III, Reggie, Rocky, and Michelle find themselves in a bizarre, shifting reality. Reggie, haunted by visions of his past and the enigmatic Tall Man, must confront the nature of time and space itself. He discovers that the Tall Man is not a single entity but a manifestation of a cosmic, time-bending force, and his only hope of survival lies in understanding and perhaps even defeating this abstract horror.

Phantasm IV: Oblivion received a mixed to negative reception from critics and fans. While it continued the unique, dreamlike atmosphere of the series and offered more lore about the Tall Man's origins, many felt the plot became overly convoluted and lacked the cohesive narrative drive of earlier installments. The low budget was also apparent, leading to some less-than-impressive special effects. However, fans of the franchise generally appreciated the return of the core characters and the expansion of the Phantasm universe, even if it was a less polished entry.

• More confusing than terrifying, with a plot that struggles to make sense.

• Fans of the series might appreciate the expanded mythology, but newcomers will likely be lost.

• Visually inventive at times, but hampered by a low budget and narrative incoherence.

Google audience: Audience reception for Phantasm IV: Oblivion is scarce and generally reflects its niche status within the horror genre. Those who engaged with it often cited its continuation of the bizarre Phantasm lore as a positive, while others found the plot difficult to follow and the execution lacking compared to previous films.

Phantasm IV: Oblivion was largely constructed from unused footage shot for Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead, with new scenes added to create a semblance of a cohesive narrative.