Watch Phantom Halo

Phantom Halo is a 2014 film that revolves around the story of two brothers, Samuel (Thomas Brodie-Sangster) and Beckett Emerson (Luke Kleintank), who grew up in a dysfunctional household in Southern California. The movie is directed by Antonia Bogdanovich and written by Anne Hefron. The two brothers have a passion for Shakespeare, and Beckett spends most of his time reciting lines from the famous playwright's plays. However, the brothers' love for the arts does not translate into success, as they live their lives scamming people to make ends meet.

Things take a dramatic turn when Beckett comes across an attractive and wealthy widow, Scarlet (Rebecca Romijn), who hires the brothers to paint a mural for her nightclub. Beckett is drawn to Scarlet, who eventually hires him to be her personal cabana boy, hoping that he could form a deeper connection with him.

While his brother is turning over a new leaf in his life, Samuel gets involved with a dangerous loan shark, Donnie (Sebastian Roché), who threatens the family's safety. Samuel starts to make decisions that put his family further at risk, and Beckett becomes aware of the danger they are in.

Phantom Halo is primarily a family drama that explores themes of love, loyalty, and betrayal. Throughout the movie, the director paints a vivid picture of life in Southern California, exploring the intricacies of living in a region that is both beautiful and rough.

The performances by the cast are brilliant, with Thomas Brodie-Sangster delivering a particularly outstanding performance as Samuel. He captures the essence of a young man trying to protect his family while struggling with his own demons.

Rebecca Romijn also puts up a solid performance, showcasing the complexity of her character, Scarlet. She portrays Scarlet as a confident and independent woman, yet still vulnerable and looking for something more.

Luke Kleintank, who plays Beckett, completes the trio of excellent performances. He puts up a nuanced portrayal of a young man looking for love and acceptance, who eventually finds it in the least likely place.

Antonia Bogdanovich's direction is intuitive and sensitive, capturing the essence of the story without giving into sensationalism or melodrama. The director manages to keep the film engaging, with a careful balance of tension and levity, capturing the humor that arises from the brothers' love for Shakespeare.

The film's soundtrack is another highlight, composed by Graeme Revell, who manages to evoke the film's mood with panache. The score captures the essence of the story, conveying tension, joy, and melancholy in equal measure.

Ultimately, Phantom Halo is a well-crafted film that offers a unique perspective on a family struggling to survive. The film's strengths lie in its performances, direction, and excellent score, making it a must-watch for fans of independent cinema.

In conclusion, Phantom Halo is a beautifully crafted film that manages to explore themes of love, loyalty, and betrayal within the context of a dysfunctional family. The film is well directed, and the cast delivers excellent performances, making it a standout indie drama worth watching.

Phantom Halo is a 2015 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.1 and a MetaScore of 37.