The Phantom, directed by Simon Wincer and starring Billy Zane as the titular “Ghost Who Walks” embraces the highs and lows of its pulp influences. The premise of the hero falls into pulp tropes of the “exceptional white man” found in heroes such as Tarzan and Doc Savage. Despite these tropes, the film’s embrace of the genre provides a swashbuckling adventure featuring pirates, mystic skulls, and endless charm that captures an undeniable sense of adventure.