Genre: Musical/Drama
Director: Tim Burton
Writer: Jacob Jones
Based on the musical Love Never Dies
Cast: Luke Evans, Lily James, Ewan McGregor, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Naomi Scott, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ella Purnell, Michael Crawford, Rowan Blanchard
Plot: Among the rainy streets of Paris, a young woman wanders the streets carrying what appears to be a mask. Three days have passed since The Phantom’s (Luke Evans) disappearance and it appears she has taken it upon herself to search for him. Cold, tired and frustrated, she considers giving up when she is stopped by a mysterious figure, cloaked in a black sheet. She introduces herself as Meg (Naomi Scott) and asks for the person's name. They find it irrelevant and demand to know what they are doing. Meg explains her mission to find The Phantom, hand him his mask and turn him in. The figure is noticeably defensive about this and tries to frame it as a ‘ghoul’s tale’. After some questioning, the figure swipes the mask away from Meg and tries to flee. But determined, Meg chases the figure all across Paris.
Soon, the figure finds itself cornered in an alleyway and prepares for the worst. Meg, however, sensing their vulnerable state gently comes up to them and promises not to tell anyone. The figure, showing relief takes off the cloth and reveals their identity. Stunned at first, he takes Meg gently by the hand, thanking her and promising to one day acknowledge her. He walks away, leaving Meg baffled and yet enchanted. The man then stares at the mask, and in the middle of the street declares to himself that The Phantom is dead.
Five years later:
Inside a concert hall in New York, a man conducts the New York Philharmonic. When finished, the crowd give him a standing ovation. The man smiles proudly, taking a bow as he does. As he heads out, several patrons congratulate the conductor known as ‘Erik’ to a successful performance and offer to take him out for drinks. He refuses, wishing to spend the remainder of the day working on his next piece. As he exits the concert hall, however, one patron remains curious and decides to seek out his living space.
After spending much of the night sneaking around and disturbing several residents, he finds that Erik lives in an extravagant mansion. In awe, he slowly trespasses inside and looks around its majesty. He then begins to hear the organ playing and investigates the mansion to find the mysterious player. Finally, he comes across a room with sheet music, instruments, and compositions all laid out neatly. He tries to speak up, but is too terrified over what he would say. He attempts to leave, but his Persian cat comes towards him startling him enough to let out a scream. Erik glances over at him and asks the man what he wants.
Quivering with fear, He introduces himself as Finley (Lin Manuel Miranda) and explains that he’s trying to run a new carnival called ‘Phantasma’ where Coney Island is and asks for his services to help make that dream a reality. After hearing its attributes, Erik finds his offer admirable and says he’ll think it through. Finley nods happily, hoping to leave peacefully. Before he leaves, he takes one last look at Erik’s ghastly facial disfigurement and softly proclaims that he’s perfect.
The year is now 1891:
Coney Island has closed for the day so Finley can begin the evening's activities. He welcomes several passersby to what is declared 'The Ultimate Treasure of Coney Island', Phantasma. Suddenly, the midway of Coney Island bursts out to a colorful parade of masks, costumes, and oddities, mesmerizing all those who see it up close. Clowns and fools perform several comical and mysterious tricks that intrigue and leave the audience spellbound. Finley then announces that a final gift has been brought to them by someone known only as 'Erik', the Phantasma Phenomenals, and their Ooh La La Girl (Meg Giry) performing their newest vaudeville routine. The routine is a success and the crowd applauds raucously. As the patrons dissipate into the night, Finley congratulates everyone on another wonderful show and takes note that today marks the five year anniversary of Erik's arrival onto the team.
Erik accepts this honor, hoping to continue to provide for the group. As everyone disappears into the night, His proud smile is replaced by a depressed frown, ignoring Meg when she comes to talk to him. He continues to walk until he reaches the edges of the boardwalk and stares up into the stars. Finley comes up to him, asking what he's doing. Erik replies that he's thinking about something. Finley sits next to him, offering an ear. Erik isn't sure he wishes to explain, but seeing how genuinely Finley wants to know, he goes in. Today marks the ten year anniversary of the events at the opera hall. A time he wishes to forget, and yet is constantly reminded of. Every opera house he enters, it reminds him of what happened back then. Every time he hears a soprano sing, he is reminded of Christine (Lily James).
He admits that he misses Christine, even though he refused to believe it and longs to see her one more time. Sensing how personal their relationship seemed to him, Finley asks how they first met. Erik explains that he was a family friend of Christine's father Gaston (a talented violinist). When he died, he volunteered to take care of Christine (her younger form being played by Rowan Blanchard) and help keep his name alive. Being The Angel of Music, Erik made sure Christine became a high-quality violinist in her own right. But one day, Christine overheard him singing and in her curiosity asked how she could sing like him. As the years passed, Christine became an incredible singer. The rest they say is history. Finley then hesitantly asks what happened to their relationship. Erik claims it was his own doing, as the years passed he grew overly protective of her, forcing her to only sing to him and not leave with another man that came across him. This obsession drove him to madness and turned Christine away.
In the end, Christine taught him the most important lesson of his life. Love is not earned by force and might, love is earned with compassion and sincerity. He finishes his tale by saying if he could, he would thank Christine for teaching her this. Finley suggests that maybe he can make it possible, but Erik is convinced that it can't. But Finley is convinced that there's always a way as life works in mysterious ways.
Another evening comes and Finley prepares another Phantasma event. He looks at Erik, who assures him that all is fine. The evening seems to go on as planned until the crowd becomes transfixed with the arrival of two people. Erik comes out from hiding and offers to take a glance at the situation. He becomes shocked when he sees the figures exit the boat. It's Christine and Raoul (Ewan McGregor), hand in hand, taking in the sights and sounds of Phantasma. Christine is welcomed to Phantasma by Madame Giry (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who in her time has been the dance instructor for the Phenomenals and insists the two stay and watch a special performance from the group. The two accept the proposal and join the rest of the crowd in watching the spectacle.
The end of the show comes and Christine and Raoul head off to their hotel where they'll be spending the next few days. Erik tries to catch up to them but to no avail. Sensing this, Finley calls for a taxi so he can reunite with his friends with Meg trying to follow to no avail. A concerned Madame Giry concurs to Finley that Meg has been growing more and more obsessed with obtaining The Phantom's attention, both hoping that for her sake, the Phantom will notice her soon. As Erik exits the taxi, he looks at the hotel with sincere concern but decides to bite the bullet and opens the door inside the hotel. While waiting for approval to approach the hotel rooms, he comes across an aspiring opera singer named Andrea (Ella Purnell) who is astounded by his presence and declares him to be her ‘Angel of Music’. Despite his confusion, he invites her to join him in his visit with Christine (who she claims is her idol).
Erik nervously knocks on the door to Christine's hotel room and finds him standing there. With her taken back by his arrival, Raoul comes up to him and questions his appearance. Erik promises that he comes in peace and just wished to visit for a brief moment. Despite Raoul's suspicions, he and Christine remain cordial as Erik asks how life has been. It turns out that Christine and Raoul are happily married, having married several weeks after it became clear The Phantom was gone for good. Christine's career has blossomed in Europe and she is of high regard. She shall soon be making her American debut per the invitation of Oscar Hammerstein I. Erik then lists his achievements to the couple, Christine seeming genuinely happy for his success. Before Erik can continue further, Andrea enters the hotel room introducing herself to Christine and Raoul. Raoul offers to speak to Andrea in private, leaving Christine and Erik alone. Erik then looks towards her and gives a heartfelt apology for the way he behaved ten years ago. He let his deformities and hatred get in the way of what really mattered. If it weren't for Christine teaching him what compassion meant, lord knows where he'd be today.
Christine graciously accepts Erik's apology, remarking that anyone can change if they really want to. Christine then admits that she often wonders what life would be like had she stayed with The Phantom or perhaps more jarring, what life would have been had the events from ten years ago never happened. After flirting with the idea, Erik proclaims that it wouldn't have mattered. For all The Phantom was, he would never have been able to give Christine the love Raoul has given her. He then promises Christine that The Phantom will never return.
"The Phantom has returned!" Andrea declares, strutting her way back in the room. Raoul explains that Andrea has invited Christine and him over to the opera house to watch Andrea and Erik perform a duet, handing him a music sheet in the process. Honored, Christine accepts the proposal. Realizing that his time here has ended, Erik thanks the couple for letting him visit and promises not to let them down during their performance. Outside the hotel, however, Erik protests Andrea's decision. But when Andrea reminds him of his status, Erik begrudgingly heads off with Andrea to practice.
From a street light not far from the hotel Meg has observed everything and is furious. She reports the news to Madame Giry and vows to make the ‘whore of a prima-donna’ suffer. It is there Madame Giry warns Meg that her lust regarding Erik is getting out of hand. The more she obsesses over him, the more vindictive she’s become. Meg ignores her mother’s warnings and suggests they visit the opera house tomorrow morning. The next morning, Meg finds that Andrea is not at the opera house but is actually with Finley and Erik practicing their duet, her entitled attitude and diva-esque nature annoying both (despite being a good singer). She then declares she can hit a C6 like her idol. Finley puts her to the test and it’s found she cannot, clocking out at B5. Despite her insistence she can sing the note, she fails again and again. A desperate Andrea begs Erik to help her reach the desired note. Erik vows to do so by tonight.
Late that evening, Erik enters a secret room inside his mansion alongside and finds inside a glass box wrapped with chains and lock, his old mask, realizing that The Phantom will rise again. He tells Finley that the mask allows him to control the voice of anyone and that he'll use it to enhance Andrea's vocal range. That evening, Meg is shown sleeping by the opera doors when she is awakened by a familiar voice. Christine’s. Meg and Christine are elated to be reunited and are soon joined by Madame Giry and Raoul. Despite their excitement, there is an underlying suspicion that not all is right.
Before the performance, Erik (now going as The Phantom) reminds Finley of the plan when he comes across Andrea wearing a stunning white gown, thanking Erik for figuring out a way and he nods in kind before silently warning Finley to not do anything. The performance goes on smoothly to a mixed reception from its audience (Raoul enjoys the performance, Meg can only focus on Andrea, Madame Giry is unimpressed by the charade and Christine smiling happily). Near the end however, Finley notices Andrea getting awfully close to the mask. Just before she can take it out, Finley rushes onto the stage and yells at her not to touch it, ending the performance on an awkward note.
Afterwards, an embarrassed Finley sits out the opera-house before some playful banter from Raoul and kind words from Christina cheer him up. Andrea storms out of the house, accusing him of 'ruining everything' and warning that 'The Phantom will have his revenge'. Frustrated and tired, Erik orders Andrea to go home. Finley profusely apologizes, only for Erik to admit she needed a hint of karma. Still, the guilt Finley feels is enough for him to plan a special Phantasma to help make things right.
The next day, Andrea receives an invitation from Finley to visit Phantasma and take in all of its beauty. That evening, Finley introduces her as the special guest of honor and brings about the Phantasma Phenomenals and their newest routine, the provocative Bathing Beauty, a routine Andrea appears unimpressed with. After the performance, Meg is about to ask Madame Giry if Erik saw when she sees him with Andrea. Convinced he is dating Andrea she storms off in a rage, Madame Giry worriedly chasing after her. While this is going on, Finley tries to convince Andrea to explore the 'Beauty Underneath' with him. Andrea refuses, having found the entire thing unworthy of her time, again badmouthing Finley for ruining her performance last night. It's there Erik has finally calls her out on her vain and shallow ideal of life and declares that if she is not willing to see the beauty underneath, her Angel of Music will force her to.
With The Phantom taking Andrea by the hand, the group begins to explore the darkest wonders Phantasma has to offer, all taking turns in showcasing the beauty underneath. The colorful cast of masks, freaks and oddities manage to enchant, Andrea enough that she is able to hit notes she never once did. But just before The Phantom's work can be finished, Andrea crashes to the ground, victim of a gunshot. The Phantom comes down to Andrea's level as she tearfully apologizes to her angel for failing him. Erik assures her that she did not fail, she needed to learn. He gently kisses Andrea's forehead as she passes away to her wounds.
The news spreads across town as The Phantom becomes public enemy no. 1 and Phantasma is forced to shut down. Raoul takes this as proof that The Phantom still exists inside Erik's soul. But Christine isn't so sure. The Phantom would never resort to murder unless he had reason to. The two agree to help uncover what really happened with Christine leading the charge. The two meet up with Finley, beginning to look all over New York in the hopes of uncovering his hideout. Inside a church, a miserable Erik encounters a man known as Preacher Robinson (Michael Crawford). After listening to Erik's troubles, Robinson tells him that spirits never truly die, but rather they evolve whether it be by experiences or through time. And while some may still cling on to the past, he encourages Erik to use this as the opportunity to show those who do the person he's become.
Having listened in on their conversation, the group enters the church and Raoul hears Erik's side of the story and admits he has no idea who killed Andrea. Robinson confirms Erik's innocence as he witnessed the murder take place. However, he proclaims that all those who were not there are suspects. Madame Giry opens the door, noticeable tears in her eyes. She announces that she knows who did it and motions for everyone to follow her. At the edge of the pier, Meg is found carrying the lifeless body of Andrea and the gun she used to shoot her. Madame Giry reveals that Meg's desperation had lead to this. Erik realizes his promise to acknowledge Meg and remorsefully tells her that this is his fault and only he can talk to her. With whatever trace of sanity gone, Meg threatens to throw Andrea's body into the ocean and shoot herself afterward. Erik tries to talk her down, only for Finley to foolishly bring up Christine.
Meg points the gun towards Finley, telling him to say his final prayers. Noticing the danger he's in, Christine pushes Finley out of the way and is shot in his place. Raoul comes towards to his dying wife and they exchange a final kiss. Seeing the damage Meg has caused, Erik realizes only one thing can be done and he kisses her. The kiss lasts several seconds, ending when a stunned Meg lets go. He apologizes for not seeing the beauty underneath her. She is broken, used and betrayed. And because of his insolence, she has killed her a promising young star and her best friend. Realizing this, Meg breaks down into tears, clutching onto Erik and apologizing profusely.
Later that evening, the police come towards Coney Island, about to arrest Meg for her actions. Surprisingly, Erik refuses to press charges saying that she has been through enough hell. Before she leaves with Madame Giry, Erik gives her his mask saying that represents his final gift. Meg politely refuses the gift, saying his mercy was gift enough. As the Girys leave, Raoul and Erik finally make amends, Raoul realizing that Erik truly has changed for the better and heads off to take Christine to a hospital. Erik turns to Finley, knowing once and for all that The Phantom's spirit will live forever. He embraces him and heads off to see what life awaits.
Through Erik's narration, we learn that Christine would die soon after she entered the hospital and was transported back to France for her funeral. Meg would seek psychological help and return to a career in ballet. Finley shut down Phantasma for good after Andrea's death and sought out a career in musical theatre, having written a musical he calls Hamilton, based on the life and times of Alexander Hamilton. Madame Giry retired from teaching ballet to focus on running the new opera house in France, dedicated to Christine Daae. And as for Erik? He became a virtuoso, a masterful conductor for New York. His pieces have been enjoyed by those all over the world and his former nickname 'The Phantom of the Opera' has taken new meaning as a result.
On his days off however, Erik takes the time to help out those in Preacher Robinson's church and serves as their organ player. He remains in touch with everyone and occasionally they all get together to tell stories of the past. The conclusion of Erik's story can be summarized as such: "If Christine taught me compassion, then Meg taught me what beauty underneath really meant. But the lesson of most importance is what I tell you now. Though the past leaves scars that remain open even long after the fact, the spirits you wrote once can be re-written if you let them be. Your past is not the future. Let what you learn be what makes you into what you are now. Only then can you be at peace."
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