Is Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)

📖 The Core Premise

Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh stands as a 2017 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the Science Fiction, Horror landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "One of the most insane full motion video games from the 90's edited into one NINETY MINUTE MOVIE! Written and designed by horror writer Lorelei Shannon, Phantasmagoria 2: A PUZZLE OF FLESH is a narratively unrelated follow-up to the best-selling title by graphical adventure pioneer Roberta WIlliams (King's Quest). Notorious for its "obscene content" that saw the game heavily censored or outright banned in several countries, Puzzle of Flesh had the player help the introverted Curtis Craig navigate a psychological breakdown while working at a predictably sinister pharmaceutical company. Dark secrets, sexual exploration and inter-dimensional twists abound! Experience much of the game's craziest moments and outrageous gore condensed into a coherent*, freaky and funny narrative. *Well, as coherent as the actual plot of the game."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Paul Morgan Stetler feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Science Fiction. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh worth your time? If you appreciate Science Fiction, Horror films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Phantasmagoria: A Puzzle of Flesh misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 89 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.