Tory Jones’ Phantom Fun-World has a lot going for it: a wonderful premise, a cheesy B-movie aesthetic, first-rate acting for the occasion and a creative, well designed masked killer. Where the film falters is in its budgetary limitations, albeit a grand use of the crowdfunded budget that was achieved. When I glance at horror films with a minimal budget, I always compare to the massive achievement that was the original Terrifier and what they were able to accomplish with only 35 grand - here for a slasher of its kind, beyond one kill that's pretty off-the-walls brutal, the kills are tame. 

 

Celeste Blandon’s Andi leads the film with a final girl energy we can always come to expect and appreciate. Her performance is perfect for the atmosphere the film offers and while the execution during a sacrificial scene could have been better handled with a deeper dive into some character development, Blandon gives her all to the role. She shares a wonderful chemistry with her co-star Jace Carson as Cole; their connection as siblings really sought its way through to the audience and while the parental explanation could have been given a more thorough definition, their chemistry is electric. 

 

Andi’s coworkers at the Phantom Fun-World indoor park, all play considerably well off one another with a unique dynamic, especially between Andi and Spencer Madison’s Collins. The pair have a sizable history between one another and it could’ve led to a more emotional depth if this was explored beyond a few lines about knowing each other since childhood. Nonetheless, Madison provides some much needed humor to the feature and her character’s actions near the end of the film, while needing more fulfilling reasoning, have a considerable weight to them. 

 

While offering a well rounded performance, the least earned relationship is between a flirty security guard, Noah (Wes Robinson) and Andi. Yet another issue with the lack of development, we witness the two meet on the first day, there's no timeline as to how long it is from her first interaction to the end of the film. Considering it feels like it’s her second or third day at the most, the actions that happen between Andi and her proposed love interest feel unearned. With these consistent issues in the storytelling, the film suffers with its twists and turns as the plot plays out. Emotions run high in the film and Frank Dormani’s score alone is a fantastic ode to the 80s, although its tone doesn’t quite hit the story beats, causing some of the scenes to lose their desired effect. A slasher is only as good as its killer and The Phantom, the villain of this tale is menacing not only due to his appearance, but also his stance and actions - L.C. Holt killed it under the mask.

 

Phantom Fun-World is exactly how the creators describe it, a “phantom fun-time.” Its budgetary restrictions and lack of sufficient character development causes some issues along the way but it also delivers a charm to the overall experience. Come spooky season, Phantom Fun-World will gain its intended audience and become a Halloween tradition for some, while a fun Halloween escape for those appreciative of a solid low budget horror.