We Have a Ghost Movie Review

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Total Score
When we first meet the Presley family, they’re touring a run down, and honestly quite creepy, house. Of course, they decide to buy it. Pretty soon after, the youngest son, Kevin, meets a ghost named Ernest in the attic. He films a video and keeps it a secret from his family, but his brother finds the video and shows it to their dad, Frank. Eager for money and seeing a route to social media fame, Frank posts Kevin’s video online, sparking viral intrigue. Between the media attention and social virality, they even receive a visit from famed medium, Judy Romano. Kevin seeks to find the truth about Ernest, since Ernest can’t remember. After some searching, it comes to light that Ernest is actually named Randy. After a visit to Oklahoma, they meet a former in-law of Randy’s, the real Ernest, who tells them he skipped town, left his family, and no one has seen him since. Meanwhile, a former CIA asset and writer, Dr. Leslie Monroe, seeks to learn more about the paranormal and uses her CIA connections to capture Randy. It comes to light that the real Ernest is hiding a dark past that puts Kevin and his family at risk. The question then becomes, will Randy escape CIA custody to save his new friend?

The opening scene of this film is great. Period. It’s simple, it doesn’t try too hard, it leans into the fact that it is a horror comedy, and it’s effective in showing us the house is haunted without saying a single word.

Once the film gets going, I have to say that it’s paced very well. The story moves from scene to scene without feeling forced, and being a two-hour long movie, they have a little bit more time to set up the plot and characters than a traditional horror movie.

The plot was fun and it really embraced this idea of being a comedy while offering elements of a scary movie. Knowing the genre going into the film helps you better appreciate some of the cliche tropes they lean into. There’s also this wonderful element of social media fame and the overall use of social media in the film. TikTok reaction videos, viral challenges, and this very present plot idea that is incredibly relatable. The ebbs and flows of the plot take you on this emotional journey and I must say that you will feel something. Again, this is a horror comedy. 

The Boston Globe

While the plot can take some of the credit for this unusually positive review, the actors definitely need credit. David Harbour (Stranger Things, Violent Night), Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Civil War, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus), and Niles Fitch (This Is Us) scratch the surface of recognizable faces in this film. And they were wonderful. Jennifer Coolidge is hilarious as a TV celebrity medium, David Harbour nails his role as the main ghost of the film, and Anthony Mackie is the perfect dad with a rewarding arc by the end.

We Have a Ghost takes on many genres with wild and unexpected twists. It’s a murder mystery, a ghost hunt, and a story about family, all under the umbrella of a comedy. If you’re in the mood for a ghost movie, but want to laugh instead of scream, then this movie is for you.

Main image courtesy of IMDB

Coming off the meeting that Kevin has with the real Ernest—who appears to tell him the truth about Randy—we actually see Randy appear and confront Ernest. Suddenly, the CIA breaks down the door and blasts Randy with a ghost gun and takes him into custody. While in his supernatural holding cell, Randy has a flashback of what really happened—Ernest bludgeoned Randy, killing him. He then took off his bloody bowling shirt and buried Randy in the yard. It all starts to make sense for the viewer because the bowling shirt said Ernest, hence why Kevin thought Randy’s name was Ernest. Two things happen simultaneously. Dr. Monroe has a change of heart and actually helps Randy escape CIA custody. Back at the Presley house, Ernest has come to silence Kevin, who he believes knows the truth about what really happened. As fate would have it, a fight ensues upstairs in the attic and Randy comes to save the day. Ernest is sent flying out the window and our heroes prevail. In a sad ending, but also an inspiring one about friendship, Randy has been fulfilled and his spirit moves on. Kevin and his family are ready to move out of the house, but they only move down the street, finally ready to start fresh.
  • Scare Score
  • 1
  • Camp Score
  • 1
  • Acting Score
  • 5
  • Music Score
  • 5
  • Rewatchability Score
  • 2
  • Originality Score
  • 4
  • Pacing Score
  • 6
  • Cinematography Score
  • 5
  • Attentativness Score
  • 6
  • Plot Twist Score
  • 4

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