“THE PHANTOM MACHINE”

ABOUT THE MUSIC FILM

PLOT SYNOPSIS

A trail of fear leads The Traveller, a hardened warrior equipped with high-tech weaponry, into the ruins of a neo-apocalyptic valley.

The few survivors warn of a monster beyond flesh, cybernetic scourge known only as The Phantom Machine.

As The Traveller uncovers the truth, he realizes this creature may be more familiar than expected, and far more tragic.

DIRECTOR’S VISION

As a lifelong fan of John Carpenter's synth-fueled nightmares, Zack Snyder's gritty, atmospheric visual style, and Hideo Kojima's magnetic, mysterious lead characters, this project gave me the chance to channel those influences into a bold sci-fi narrative of my own.

It began with conceptualizing our hero — The Traveller. Inspired by Solid Snake and The Man with No Name, he’s a cyberpunk warrior: part gunslinger, part samurai. His face is obscured by a cybernetic eyepatch and an advanced smart-respirator to endure the wasteland’s toxic air. His brutal fighting style is matched by his investigative tactics, utilizing a shoulder-mounted scanner and a devastating battle axe.

Co-written with my film partner, Michael J. Krym, the film’s real soul came when we decided that The Phantom wasn’t just a monster. He was once a friend. A weaponized partner, abducted and reprogrammed by a gang of Tech Poachers. These self-augmented outlaws force the machine to hunt and kill for them. That emotional core elevated the story from survival to redemption.

As a director, I love designing large-scale action sequences. This film’s climactic fight was a dream to build. In collaboration with my action designer, Marcello Morle, we choreographed a multi-phase fight between The Traveller and five uniquely augmented Poachers, each with their own distinct style and weaponry. Meanwhile, the Phantom draws near, unaware he's been weaponized against his friend. Their final reconnection delivers the story’s emotional climax.

I storyboard every frame of my films, but I also plan for flexibility. Having alternate shots and beats ready meant we could adapt in the moment without compromising the vision. That fluidity let us shape this story with precision, even when working under intense constraints.

Atmosphere is everything to me. When I watch a film, I want to be completely immersed in the world on screen. With The Phantom Machine, I’m proud of how the bold visuals fused with Waveshaper’s hauntingly melodic score. The music didn’t just support the tone, it expanded it, giving the film a pulse that made the entire world feel alive.

Production-wise, this was a world we had to build from the ground up — props, wardrobe, and sets that didn’t exist in the real world. Our production designer, Rachel Fitzgerald, brought it all to life with stunning consistency. Stephanie Johnston delivered impeccable makeup and prosthetics, and Dan Ford assisted with prop design.

We filmed entirely on-location in our home town — Windsor, Ontario. Thanks to Shawn Lippert, Tommy Gagnon and the team at Scarehouse Windsor, we transformed a real haunt into a crumbling cyberpunk refuge. Garfield’s Restaurant, through Joe Rabie’s support, became a glowing foliage-covered hideout for the story’s traumatized survivors. Justin’s Auto Clinic served as our nightmarish cold-open featuring a DeLorean. Al Lucier contributed authentic antique props that elevated every detail.

On-set, we had a skeleton crew of amazing artists. Capturing this beautiful footage wouldn’t have been possible without Andrew Seguin, Kitu Turcas, Jaz Morneau, Tyler Shoemaker, Angelo Morle, and Mary Shabo.

In post-production, while I handled the visual effects, Justin Goulet and Anthony Sunsin built the highly stylized CGI environments that bookend the film.

It was a passion project in every sense—and a launchpad for what Helios could achieve in genre filmmaking. Winning NewRetroWave’s Best Video of the Year validated that ambition and inspired us to go even bigger.

THE FUTURE

The Traveller’s journey is far from over.

An extended edition featuring more narrative, action, and CGI is on the way. But that’s only the start.

I’ve spent nearly a decade developing a synthwave-inspired horror universe, and this film is only a side story within it — a brutal little legend unfolding in the shadows of something larger.

Now, that larger vision is taking shape. A full-length feature film is currently in pre-production. It’s a project rooted in my deepest inspirations, but something I haven’t seen in sci-fi horror before. And it’s exactly the kind of movie I’ve always wanted to make.

- Jendo Shabo, Director