Lord of Illusions

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Lord of Illusions

R,

1995,

1h 48m,

Horror

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Watchlist

54%

28 Reviews

Tomatometer

52%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

28 Reviews

52%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Private eye Harry D'Amour travels to Los Angeles and meets with a new client, Dorothea Swann. Swann reveals that she and her husband — famed magician Philip Swann — have been targeted by a religious cult experimenting with reincarnation. After Philip dies on stage in the midst of a dangerous trick, D'Amour must struggle to protect Dorothea from the ruthless cult members and their newly reanimated religious leader, Nix.

Critics Consensus

Lord of Illusions may come as something of a disappointment in the context of writer-director Clive Barker's best work, but genre fans should be reasonably diverted.

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Anthony Puccinelli

Chicago Reader

Jun 7, 2022

0/4

These days the horror film is practically a bankrupt genre...

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Mike Clark

USA Today

Jan 1, 2000

2.5/4

Barker's visual side dominates its literary equivalent this time out, resulting in a time-killer that may amuse fans until illusion is shattered by the rolling of the end credits.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

Jan 1, 2000

3/4

Barker, who directed as well as wrote, establishes an effective rhythm in these scenes, and Bakula finds just the right note to play them.

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

Jun 20, 2025

D+

Barker is ambitious with this tale of violent magic and noir-ish adventuring, but he's not skilled in the art of storytelling this time, preferring to transform the bizarreness of the material into a leaden viewing experience.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

May 1, 2025

2/4

Clive Barker’s Lord of Illusions‘ ultimate downfall is triggered by a lackluster midsection and somewhat interminable climactic stretch...

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Trace Thurman

Horror Queers Podcast

Dec 30, 2020

3/5

From the mind of Clive Barker comes....one weird-ass horror noir.

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Mar 29, 2019

Slick and special effects driven, Lord of Illusions boasts high production values but lacks dramatic tension. In an apparent attempt to feature as much gore, horror makeup, and video manipulation as possible, the film withholds almost no information from the audience, effectively undermining the mystery and muddling which character is the story's protagonist. In spite of the weak plot, the film's camp villains, intriguing supernatural premise, and well executed effects may salvage its entertainment value for those with a stomach for stylized torture and gore.

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Han P

Jan 10, 2007

This has been a favorite of mine since it was first released, in spite of the flaws that I know are in there, like the barely passable at the time CGI stuff. I really love the Noir/detective/supernatural mash-up, and for the longest time this felt as close as we'd ever get to a Hellblazer movie. Still a fun watch for the forgiving audience who can love it warts and all. Recommended.

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Clive Barker

Director

Scott Bakula

Harry D'Amour

Kevin J. O'Connor

Philip Swann

Famke Janssen

Dorothea Swann

Vincent Schiavelli

Vinovich

Barry Del Sherman

Butterfield

Virus

15%

22%

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40%

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27%

31%

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Resurrection

17%

50%

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The Dark Half

56%

39%

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Synopsis

Private eye Harry D'Amour travels to Los Angeles and meets with a new client, Dorothea Swann. Swann reveals that she and her husband — famed magician Philip Swann — have been targeted by a religious cult experimenting with reincarnation. After Philip dies on stage in the midst of a dangerous trick, D'Amour must struggle to protect Dorothea from the ruthless cult members and their newly reanimated religious leader, Nix.

Director: Clive Barker
Producer: JoAnne Sellar, Clive Barker
Screenwriter: Clive Barker
Production Co: Seraphim Films
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 25, 1995, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.4M
Runtime: 1h 48m
Sound Mix: Surround

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