The Phoenix Tapes '97

Name: The Phoenix Tapes '97
Genre: Horror
Released: 2016-09-26

Released 26 September 2016

4.4out of 10

No. 1370 on the Scare Scale

Based on 1 rating

On a scale of 1 to 10, The Phoenix Tapes '97 scores 4.4 for how scary it is. Strong suspense and strong creepiness.

Trailer

Where to stream it

Streaming data from JustWatch.

In 1997, four campers went missing during the Phoenix Lights incident and their bodies were never found. The Phoenix Tapes 97 is comprised of their final footage. This film is dedicated to the lives lost during the events displayed. To their families and friends and to the authorities who continue to search for answers. The tapes were found by Dustin Miller's father two years after Dustin was mysteriously shot and killed at a traffic stop in Texas. Peter Miller believes his son was acting as a whistleblower and had smuggled the tapes from his classified government agency in an effort to expose the truth as to what really happened to the four missing campers seen in the tapes. After searching every newspaper and media publication around Phoenix during that time period, we only found one initial announcement that four campers were reported missing, as well as a formal police report folder with local PD but the folder had no files inside.

How it scares

Each kind of scare is rated out of 10. Hover over a score, or use the info button, to see what it means.

Gore
4.7 out of 10,Strong
Blood, injuries and body horror shown on screen. Violence that happens off-screen barely counts.
Gore 4.7 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Bloody deaths and injuries shown clearly
- Happens fairly often, but doesn't linger
1. 1-2Mild
2. 3-4Moderate
3. 5-6Strong
4. 7-8Intense
5. 9-10Extreme
Creepy
5.2 out of 10,Strong
Unsettling images, atmosphere and things that feel wrong. Not sudden shocks (Jumpscares) or waiting for something to happen (Suspense).
Creepy 5.2 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- Disturbing images and an atmosphere that feels wrong
- Comes back often, and some scenes stay with you afterwards
1. 1-2Mild
2. 3-4Moderate
3. 5-6Strong
4. 7-8Intense
5. 9-10Extreme
Jumpscares
4.0 out of 10,Moderate
Sudden shocks designed to make you jump, usually a fast movement or a loud noise. Not slow-building dread (Suspense).
Jumpscares 4.0 is moderate (3-4 on the scale):
- A handful of jumpscares that land
- Spaced out, with long gaps between them
1. 1-2Mild
2. 3-4Moderate
3. 5-6Strong
4. 7-8Intense
5. 9-10Extreme
Suspense
5.7 out of 10,Strong
Tension and dread while you wait for something to happen. Not the scare itself when it arrives (Jumpscares or Gore).
Suspense 5.7 is strong (5-6 on the scale):
- High tension that keeps you on edge
- Calm moments are short and don't last
1. 1-2Mild
2. 3-4Moderate
3. 5-6Strong
4. 7-8Intense
5. 9-10Extreme
Psychological
4.3 out of 10,Moderate
Horror that gets in your head: paranoia, madness, doubting what's real and ideas that stay with you. Not how a scene looks (Creepy) or feels in the moment (Suspense).
Psychological 4.3 is moderate (3-4 on the scale):
- Unsettling themes, moral dilemmas or a character you can't trust
- Makes you think, without leaving you shaken
1. 1-2Mild
2. 3-4Moderate
3. 5-6Strong
4. 7-8Intense
5. 9-10Extreme

How the overall score of 4.4 is worked out

Scare weighting compares each kind of scare with other films, lifting what's stronger than usual and lowering what's weaker, so only the strongest get near 10. The Scare Scale score is the average of the three highest.

Kind of scare	Rated	Scare weighting	Score
Suspense (in the top 3)	5.7	−0.7	5.0
Gore (in the top 3)	4.7	−0.2	4.5
Jumpscares (in the top 3)	4.0	−0.4	3.6
Creepy	5.2	−1.7	3.5
Psychological	4.3	−0.9	3.4

The highlighted top 3 make up the score:

(5.0 + 4.5 + 3.6) ÷ 3 = 4.4

See the full breakdown and every rating