Phantasm II
Mike is released from psychiatry, when he agrees with the doctors that the terrible happenings in his past were just in his imagination. But once he's free, he contacts Redge and they team up to hunt down and eliminate the "Tall Man", who plunders the graveyards and steals the corpses with help of his terrible dwarfs. A beautiful strange girl starts to appear in Mike's dreams. He assumes she's in danger and needs their help - will they find her before the Tall Man can do her any harm?
Despite its limited budget of $3.0M, Phantasm II became a commercial success, earning $7.3M worldwide—a 143% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Phantasm II (1988) showcases precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Don Coscarelli's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 37 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Mike awakens screaming in psychiatric hospital, haunted by memories of the Tall Man. Establishes his traumatized, institutionalized state and obsession with the supernatural threat.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Mike is released from psychiatric hospital after seven years. The catalyst: freedom to act on his obsession, but also Reggie's family is killed by the Tall Man, validating Mike's "delusions" and destroying Reggie's normal life.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to Mike and Reggie load the 'Cuda and actively choose to hit the road hunting the Tall Man. Not forced—they choose this quest. They leave normalcy behind and enter the world of the supernatural hunt., moving from reaction to action.
At 49 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The trio discovers a mortuary full of the Tall Man's victims being processed into dwarves—the scope of his operation is vast. False defeat: they realize how powerful he is, how many he's killed. Stakes raise dramatically; this isn't just personal revenge, it's cosmic horror., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 72 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Liz is fully captured by the Tall Man and taken to his mortuary. Mike loses his connection to hope and partnership. Whiff of death: she faces being killed and processed. Mike's worst fear—failing to save someone—is realized., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 78 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Mike and Reggie synthesize everything: weapons, knowledge of the Tall Man's weaknesses, and their bond. New resolve: they storm the mortuary together. Mike accepts he can't do this alone—partnership is the key., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Phantasm II's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Phantasm II against these established plot points, we can identify how Don Coscarelli utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Phantasm II within the fantasy genre.
Don Coscarelli's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Don Coscarelli films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Phantasm II represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Don Coscarelli filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional fantasy films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Conan the Barbarian and Batman Forever. For more Don Coscarelli analyses, see Phantasm, The Beastmaster.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Mike awakens screaming in psychiatric hospital, haunted by memories of the Tall Man. Establishes his traumatized, institutionalized state and obsession with the supernatural threat.
Theme
Psychiatrist tells Mike "You have to let go of these fantasies." Theme stated: healing requires facing truth, not denial—but the story will prove the "fantasy" is real.
Worldbuilding
Mike's years in psychiatric care, his obsession with destroying the Tall Man, flashbacks to first film events. Reggie's new family life. Liz's psychic visions connecting her to Mike. The world establishes Mike's isolation versus others' normal lives.
Disruption
Mike is released from psychiatric hospital after seven years. The catalyst: freedom to act on his obsession, but also Reggie's family is killed by the Tall Man, validating Mike's "delusions" and destroying Reggie's normal life.
Resistance
Mike convinces skeptical Reggie that the Tall Man is real. They debate whether to pursue revenge or move on. Mike shows evidence, builds weapons. Reggie resists but is drawn in by grief and mounting proof. Preparation montage: modified shotgun, flamethrower, weapons cache.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Mike and Reggie load the 'Cuda and actively choose to hit the road hunting the Tall Man. Not forced—they choose this quest. They leave normalcy behind and enter the world of the supernatural hunt.
Mirror World
Mike makes psychic contact with Liz, who has been having visions of him. She represents connection, partnership, and hope—the thematic opposite of Mike's isolated obsession. Their bond suggests he doesn't have to face this alone.
Premise
The promise of the premise: road trip horror, investigating abandoned towns, encountering spheres and dwarves, discovering the Tall Man's trail of death. Mike and Reggie explore the supernatural world, following clues, rescuing Liz, and uncovering the scope of the Tall Man's conquest. Fun and games with horror set pieces.
Midpoint
The trio discovers a mortuary full of the Tall Man's victims being processed into dwarves—the scope of his operation is vast. False defeat: they realize how powerful he is, how many he's killed. Stakes raise dramatically; this isn't just personal revenge, it's cosmic horror.
Opposition
The Tall Man actively hunts them. Escalating attacks: spheres, dwarves, dimensional horror. Liz is captured. Mike's obsession puts everyone at risk. They're outmatched, scattered, and the enemy closes in. Every plan fails or backfires.
Collapse
Liz is fully captured by the Tall Man and taken to his mortuary. Mike loses his connection to hope and partnership. Whiff of death: she faces being killed and processed. Mike's worst fear—failing to save someone—is realized.
Crisis
Mike and Reggie face their despair. They've lost Liz, they're outgunned, and death seems certain. Dark night processing: do they give up or make a final stand? They choose to assault the mortuary despite impossible odds.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Mike and Reggie synthesize everything: weapons, knowledge of the Tall Man's weaknesses, and their bond. New resolve: they storm the mortuary together. Mike accepts he can't do this alone—partnership is the key.
Synthesis
Final battle in the mortuary. Explosive confrontation, Mike and Reggie fight through dwarves and spheres, rescue Liz. Showdown with the Tall Man in his dimensional gate. They use acid/fire/weapons in coordinated assault. Apparent victory as the mortuary is destroyed and they escape.
Transformation
Mike and Liz drive away thinking they've won, but the Tall Man appears in the hearse pursuing them. Mirror to opening: Mike is no longer alone (he has Liz), but the battle isn't over. Transformed from isolated victim to active fighter, but horror continues—sequel hook.