We Have a Ghost (2023) Movie Review

MOVIE: We have a ghost

CAST: David harbour, Jahidi’allo Winston, Antony Mackie, Jennifer Coolidge, Isabella Russo, Tig Notaro, Niles Fitch, Erica Ash, Faith ford

DIRECTOR: Christopher Landon

MUSIC: Bear McCreary

OTT Platform: Netflix

Review

Christopher Landon's horror films possess a refreshing and unconventional quality that sets them apart from the genre's prevailing cynicism. Rather than striving for the elusive goal of "elevated horror," he injects a contagious sense of joy into his filmmaking, evident in works like "Happy Death Day," "Happy Death Day 2U," and "Freaky." Regardless of any criticisms one may have about the films' execution or overall quality, it's undeniable that Landon himself is having a blast making them.

In his latest film, "We Have a Ghost," Landon shines brightest when given the freedom to be goofy, eliciting genuine smiles from viewers. Unfortunately, the film's writing doesn't quite match up to Landon's directing prowess. It stretches on for too long, featuring multiple endings that feel repetitive and fail to build on the film's intriguing ideas. Despite these flaws, "We Have a Ghost" serves as a decent distraction, which is likely all most Netflix viewers are seeking. Personally, I'm hoping that Landon will prioritize making "Happy Death Day 3" before returning to this cinematic universe.

Geoff Manaugh's short story "Ernest" serves as the basis for "We Have a Ghost," which follows the Presley family's move to a fixer-upper in Chicago. Anthony Mackie portrays Frank, the family's struggling patriarch who is attempting to maintain a relationship with his distant son Kevin (Jahi Di'Allo Winston). Shortly after their arrival, Kevin encounters a trapped soul named Ernest (David Harbour), who has been scaring off inhabitants since his death in the 1970s. Kevin isn't frightened by Ernest and records him with his phone, leading to the spirit's sudden viral fame on social media platforms like Tik Tok and YouTube.

Although the concept of a ghost going viral is intriguing, director Christopher Landon doesn't quite explore it as thoroughly as he could have. The film instead shifts focus to a paranormal scientist named Dr. Leslie Monroe (Tig notaro) and her CIA boss Arnold Schipley (Steve Coulter), as they pursue Ernest, Kevin, and their neighbor Joy (Isabella Russo) in a chase/road movie style. The middle portion of the film becomes somewhat of a whodunit as Ernest learns about the circumstances surrounding his death and the identity of his killer.

While the film features some notable performances, such as David harbour's silent portrayal of Ernest and Jennifer Coolidge's memorable cameo, it ultimately falls short of its potential. Despite the intriguing premise, the lack of exploration into the implications of proof of the afterlife and the overreliance on action sequences prevent "We Have a Ghost" from truly taking flight.

David harbour delivers a nuanced performance as Ernest despite having no dialogue, while Jahi Di'Allo Winston shines as the confident and natural young actor he is. The dynamic between these two characters is one of the film's strong points and should keep both teens and parents engaged. However, the movie lacks the necessary sense of urgency to keep viewers completely invested, particularly in the final act, which feels repetitive and drawn-out. It doesn't quite capture the energy of Landon's previous films, such as "Freaky" and "Happy Death Day," which were shorter and more tightly paced.

Verdict

Despite its shortcomings, "We Have a Ghost" manages to avoid fading into the background of recent Netflix originals. While it may not be a standout film, it still provides an enjoyable distraction.

My Rating: 6.3/10