I love horror movies. I especially like the old horror films with fewer special effects and computer-generated graphics because they were somehow more realistic. They relied more on good acting and on creating a malevolent atmosphere that becomes palpable beyond the screen. Aside from those, I also liked looking back at the simplicity of living in the 80s: the uncluttered spaces and locations where the scenes were shot, and also the free-spirited attitude of the people from that era.
Anyway, I recently discovered 4 horror movies from the late 70s to the 80s that I somehow became fixated on in the last several months. First is the Phantasm movie series. I first saw clips of Phantasm Oblivion (I realized later that it was Phantasm IV) in 1998 while it was playing on the bus on the way to the province.
I became interested in the Tall Man, evidently a macabre character, in pursuit of a man. I couldn’t understand the story well because of the many distractions around. But the scenes I caught were morbid, which piqued my interest. I had no way to rewatch it because we didn’t have YouTube or movie streaming services at that time.
Fast forward to a few months ago, I saw clips about Phantasm on Facebook. I realized that it was a movie series. I searched on YouTube, and thankfully all films were available. I’ve already watched the first four Phantasm films and enjoyed every bit of them.
I like the combination of sci-fi, horror, and mystery. It was a creative series, despite most of it being a low-budget horror franchise. The Tall Man and the flying spheres were all memorable. I learned later on that the film series gained quite a following, with fans still talking about it to this day.
And just this August 2026, it was announced that one of the protagonists of the movie, Reggie Bannister (known as Reggie in the film series), sadly passed away.
I was finally able to see Phantasm IV (Oblivion) in full, after 28 years. I think it was a fitting ending to the dreamlike movie series. I saw the trailer for Phantasm V (Ravager), but I felt that it was completely out of place because of the special effects. On the other hand, I might just watch it out of curiosity.
Try to watch the series on YouTube if you have the time.
Now, let’s go local. Again, thanks to Facebook Reels, I discovered a recently restored Filipino horror classic called Sa Init ng Apoy, released in 1980. It stars real-life couple Rudy Fernandez (as Emil) and Lorna Tolentino (as Laura), both still young in the film.
It was set in Baguio City, where the newly married couple was on a honeymoon for Holy Week. Since all lodgings were fully booked, they decided to rent a room in an old house. It turned out the house hid a dark past, and an evil spirit still lives there. Somehow, the fateful events that led to that house were the culmination of Laura’s haunting dreams over the years.
Eventually, the dark entity possessed Laura, and after some struggle, she was later freed via exorcism. Baguio City in the early 80s looked stunning and inviting. I can sense the chilly breeze even from my cellphone.
As for the movie, it was a little slow burn, but the plot was good. There were points in the movie that felt forced and unnecessary just to give off an aura of mystery (e.g., an old lady who was insisting that Laura take a cryptic artifact without any explanation), although I enjoyed watching it. Again, it’s on YouTube for those who want to see it for free.
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