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The Phoenix Incident 2016

Strange lights appear in the Arizona desert, baffling residents and sparking a disturbing investigation. As authorities and locals attempt to understand the unexplained aerial phenomena, a chilling narrative emerges, questioning the nature of reality and blurring the lines between science fiction and a terrifying, inexplicable event.

Strange lights appear in the Arizona desert, baffling residents and sparking a disturbing investigation. As authorities and locals attempt to understand the unexplained aerial phenomena, a chilling narrative emerges, questioning the nature of reality and blurring the lines between science fiction and a terrifying, inexplicable event.

Does The Phoenix Incident have end credit scenes?

No!

The Phoenix Incident does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Phoenix Incident

Explore the complete cast of The Phoenix Incident, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


No actors found

Ratings and Reviews for The Phoenix Incident

See how The Phoenix Incident is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Phoenix Incident stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Rotten Tomatoes
review

50%

TOMATOMETER

review

36%

User Score

IMDb

4.9 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

51

%

User Score

Movie Insider

2.20/5

From 5 fan ratings

Take the Ultimate The Phoenix Incident Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Phoenix Incident with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Phoenix Incident Quiz: Test your knowledge about the mysterious events and characters in The Phoenix Incident.

What year did the mysterious incident in Phoenix, Arizona occur?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Phoenix Incident

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Read the complete plot summary of The Phoenix Incident, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


As the darkness of night vision goggles gives way to the chaos of combat, The Phoenix Incident immerses viewers in a whirlwind of military firefights across the diverse locales of Damal, Turkey, Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, and Mogadishu, Somalia. The jarring cacophony of sounds is accompanied by unearthly cries that resonate through the desolate nights. A series of expository texts inform us that since 1997, the United States military has been engaged in a clandestine war against a foe of ambiguous origins, marked by 57 incidents scattered throughout Asia, Europe, and Russia. The stakes are alarmingly high: NATO warns that alien forces may soon encroach upon populated areas within two years, all in retaliation for the mysterious incident in Phoenix, Arizona, which unfolded on March 13, 1997.

The film’s viral campaign is intricately interwoven within its narrative, as the mystery surrounding the disappearance of four Arizona men deepens. Walton S. Gayson, portrayed by Adamthwaite, is an elusive figure connected to the Heaven’s Gate cult, who inadvertently becomes the focal point of the investigation, initially suspected of having murdered the missing men before he finds himself in federal custody. Despite authorities eventually concluding that the men were victims of a bear attack, a local medical examiner’s disputes lead to shifts in the narrative surrounding their deaths.

This documentary-style film unfolds through two interconnected storylines: the first thread is an intimate interview with an unknown Air Force pilot willing to risk everything to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of those four men on that fateful night of the Phoenix Lights. The second narrative comprises recovered footage, dubbed “The Lauder Tapes”, encompassing recordings made by Glenn Lauder (Lowenthal), one of the missing individuals. He captured this footage using various cameras, even duct-taping a camcorder to his ATV helmet.

As the interviewed officer narrates the occurrences, it becomes evident that the military had detected a peculiar triangular-shaped object trailing the Hale-Bopp comet until it began its descent into Earth’s atmosphere over Arizona. The object then vanishes, and two KH satellites in the vicinity halt their transmissions—a sequence of events that leaves the audience pondering the line between reality and paranoia.

While Mitch, whose brother served commendably in the US Marine Corps, eagerly prepares for an ATV adventure in the Sierra Estrella foothills with his friends, a palpable unease settles over the group. What begins as excitement soon turns into trepidation as they observe an unprecedented military presence—helicopters and fighter jets roaring overhead alongside unexplained atmospheric disturbances. As they load Ryan’s truck for their excursion, the tension simmers beneath the surface.

The group’s outing takes a sinister turn when their vehicle unexpectedly breaks down in the foothills, rendering them stranded. Jacob attempts to fix the vehicle while the others frantically seek assistance. Their search leads them to the reclusive Walton S. Gayson’s desert compound, which is enveloped in secrecy and secured by an electrified fence. An agitated Gayson confronts Jacob at the truck with an ominous warning: they must leave at once. Nevertheless, undeterred by this foreboding, the men venture into the foothills on their ATVs.

Simultaneously, a high-ranking Air Force officer divulges that multiple unidentified aircraft had breached Nevada’s airspace before converging on Phoenix. Eyewitnesses begin reporting sightings of these unexplainable crafts, prompting Operation Snowbird, a diversionary tactic designed to distract civilians with decoy flares while an aerial dogfight unfolds between Air Force jets and the mysterious entities at the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range.

As the four friends witness this astonishing display, an alien craft is damaged and crashes into a nearby hill. Mitch, haunted by the loss of his brother in a helicopter crash, feels compelled to assist what he perceives as a human pilot. However, before the military can intervene, the group is attacked by bizarre creatures that resemble giant scorpions; Jacob sustains serious injury during the encounter. Their ATVs are destroyed in the fray, forcing them to seek refuge in Gayson’s compound.

To their surprise, Gayson has anticipated the arrival of these entities for years, believing them to be messengers signifying his ascension to a “higher plane” of existence. In a shocking turn, he disables the electric fence, allowing the mysterious beings to enter the compound, where they will soon claim him.

As the narrative accelerates towards its climax, Jacob is ruthlessly captured, while Mitch’s desperation intensifies as he futilely attempts to protect Ryan and Glenn from the relentless pursuit of extraterrestrial forces. A military helicopter, moments from effecting their rescue, is mercilessly downed by one of the UFOs, causing Ryan to seek cover while Glenn attempts to make a daring escape in a nearby vehicle. Just when hope seems to spark as Glenn narrowly evades his otherworldly pursuers, he is confronted by an unseen assailant whose brutal attack claims his life, leaving only the haunting remains of his helmet and an operational camcorder. The alien spacecraft slowly withdraws, its ominous presence lingering as Gayson stumbles upon the aftermath, ultimately recovering the film and Jacob’s forgotten belongings.

In a chilling epilogue, Gayson emerges, his appearance altered by his time in prison. With newfound resolve, he methodically ignites himself, seeking transcendence in the flames as if escaping a world that has deeply scarred him. This harrowing scene foreshadows a more extensive mystery, revealing layers that unravel in an online viral campaign intended to illuminate the enigmatic Lauder Tapes and their importance within the grand narrative.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Phoenix Incident

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Phoenix Incident. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


The Phoenix Incident Official Trailer 2 (2016) - Sci-Fi Thriller HD

Cars Featured in The Phoenix Incident

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Explore all cars featured in The Phoenix Incident, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Brilliance

Cross

Chevrolet

2003

Aveo

Citroën

2006

C3

Club

Car DS

Dacia

2012

Dokker

Dacia

2005

Logan

Dacia

2005

Logan

Dacia

2013

Logan

Fiat

1984

Regata

Fiat

1986

Regata

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


phoenix arizonaarizonasonora mexicomexicoarizona desertdesertarizona territoryphoenix lightscamerafake documentarypsychotronic filmlow budget sci fi moviereference to phoenix arizonamilitaryunidentified flying objectconspiracyalien invasionfound footagealien

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