A Closer Look at “Phantom”

So I sat down with my coffee just the other day and decided to pay another visit to “Phantom”. Let me tell you, it’s a tricky creature of a film. We’ve got the big names, like Ed Harris, always making everything seem like he’s solving some old mystery, and David Duchovny, who’s usually chasing aliens but here, he’s steering submarines. Todd Robinson, who directed, managed to create this whirlwind drama set in an underwater tin can.

Is it suspenseful? Gosh, like when you’re under ice in a Swedish February, not knowing if you’ll surface! The tension is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife if you’d dare.

Half the plot I don’t want to spoil, but basically, it feels like you’re trapped, just like the crew, and not knowing what’s more dangerous—the Russians or the whispers of the ghosts they’re chasing. I confess, I almost dropped my coffee once, when the eerie sonar pings blasted through the speakers; reminded me of that one time I mistook a squirrel for a bear in a Swedish forest. Yes, squirrels are terrifying when you’re 5 and have a vivid imagination.

However, it’s not all roses. I found myself scratching my head at some of the character choices. Maybe it’s just me, but it seemed like they were trying too hard to be mysterious. And Duchovny in a Soviet submarine messes with my head almost like putting pickles on a Kanelbulle would.

So, is “Phantom” your Friday night movie? Maybe. If you’re into gripping thrillers and Cold War vibes, this might just be the cinematic version of a moody Gothenburg autumn. Just be prepared for a few unanswered questions. Sometimes the movie leaves you wondering if you watched the real thing or a ghostly echo.

Check the trailer below