Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- awestruck
- gentle
- wistful
- reflective evening
- romantic movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the central concept and John Travolta's performance appealing, but considered the screenplay overexplained and increasingly manipulative, especially in its final act.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
George Malley experiences a dramatic expansion of intelligence and consciousness alongside telekinetic abilities, making his transformation both wondrous and isolating.
Most townspeople reject George as a freak after his abilities and heightened intellect become visible.
George's auto repair shop, local bar, and California community provide the grounded social setting for an uncanny transformation.
George watches a strange light in the sky, collapses in the street, and soon develops extraordinary mental and telekinetic powers.
Films like Phenomenon, and why
The Green Mile
shared small-town setting, extraordinary personal transformation, sentimental drama, and themes of acceptance
The Lake House
shared gentle fantasy premise, emotional intimacy, romance, and bittersweet reflection on mortality
Powder
shared ordinary protagonist gaining unusual abilities, philosophical themes, and heartfelt supernatural drama
The Spitfire Grill
shared accessible magical realism, small-town community response, and an emotionally bittersweet arc
Movie Details
- Director
- Jon Turteltaub
- Release Date
- 1996-07-05
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (1422)
Cast
- John Travolta
- Kyra Sedgwick
- Forest Whitaker
- Robert Duvall
- Jeffrey DeMunn
- Richard Kiley
- David Gallagher
- Ashley Buccille
- Tony Genaro
- Sean O'Bryan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Phenomenon about?
- A kindly small-town mechanic becomes extraordinarily intelligent and telekinetic, forcing his community and the woman he loves to confront the costs of transformation.
- What is Phenomenon like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Phenomenon as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Phenomenon violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Phenomenon.
- What did critics think of Phenomenon?
- Critics generally found the central concept and John Travolta's performance appealing, but considered the screenplay overexplained and increasingly manipulative, especially in its final act.
- Which films are like Phenomenon?
- Films with a similar feel include The Green Mile, The Lake House, Powder, and The Spitfire Grill.
- How long is Phenomenon?
- Phenomenon runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Phenomenon?
- In United States, Phenomenon streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
