From Beyond
Performance & Direction: From Beyond Review
Last updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is From Beyond (1986) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and From Beyond features a noteworthy lineup led by Jeffrey Combs . Supported by the likes of Barbara Crampton and Ken Foree , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: From Beyond
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 1986, From Beyond is a Horror, Science Fiction film directed by Stuart Gordon. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Jeffrey Combs.
Story Breakdown
The horror unfolds through carefully crafted atmosphere and escalating dread. The Resonator, a powerful machine that can control the sixth sense, has killed its creator and sent his associate into an insane asylum. When a psychiatrist becomes determined to continue the experiment, she unwittingly opens the door to a hostile parallel universe. Director Stuart Gordon uses both psychological terror and visceral scares, building tension through what's unseen as much as what's shown. The pacing allows for breathing room between scares, making each frightening moment more effective.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: An unsettling prologue sets the ominous tone, hinting at the terror to come while establishing the rules of this world.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Jeffrey Combs's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The final act escalates the terror to its peak, forcing characters to confront the source of horror directly.
Ending Explained: From Beyond
Ending Breakdown: Directed by Stuart Gordon, From Beyond concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions involving Jeffrey Combs, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of From Beyond reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch From Beyond?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Horror films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of Jeffrey Combs or the director
- Want a few scares and creepy atmosphere
Box Office Collection: From Beyond
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $4.5M |
| Worldwide Gross | $1.3M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
From Beyond Budget
The estimated production budget for From Beyond is $4.5M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: From Beyond
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch From Beyond Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
MGM Plus Amazon ChannelFrom Beyond Parents Guide & Age Rating
1986 AdvisoryWondering about From Beyond age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of From Beyond is 85 minutes (1h 25m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.5/10, and global performance metrics, From Beyond is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1986 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is From Beyond worth watching?
From Beyond is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 6.5/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find From Beyond parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for From Beyond identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of From Beyond?
The total duration of From Beyond is 85 minutes, which is approximately 1h 25m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked From Beyond
How From Beyond Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for From Beyond
The problem with turning a short story into a movie is frequently that there just isn't enough story to pad out ninety minutes. That is certainly the case with this. A pair of scientists - "Tillinghast" (Jeffrey Combs) and "Pretorius" (Ted Sorel) have developed the "Resonator". This is a device that allows people to see reality in a sort of 3-D, with that added dimension not normally visible. Thing is, that is where some pretty malevolent beasties live and having had a glimpse of the world we live in, they want to come visit. A bit of carnage ensues and soon "Tillinghast" and psychiatrist "McMichaels" (Barbara Crampton) are trying to find away to contain and return their monstrous visitor to his own realm before the body count spirals any further. The special effects here are quite effective - and for about half an hour the story itself is quite decent. There has to be more to the multi-verse than can be seen to the naked eye, etc. Sadly, though, the middle half hour just lacks for substance and it never really gets it's head of steam back for the denouement that is quite well stitched together, and actually quite entertaining, but a but lacking in jeopardy or menace. The acting really isn't much better than you'd see supporting a standard episode of "Starsky & Hutch" but that's not so important. It's the scary visuals that work here. Not especially scary, but creatively developed with a minimum of ketchup and soap. Not great, no - but it's enjoyable enough.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
