We have a Ghost Movie review

Christopher Landon creates fantastically eccentric horror movies that defy the current cynicism of the genre. Through the creation of films like "Happy Death Day, " " Happy Death Day 2U," and "Freaky," he avoids the pretense of "elevated horror. "Whatever you may think of their overall quality or execution, no one can deny that Landon was having a blast while creating them. When Landon is allowed to be silly in a way that just makes the audience smile, his most recent film, "We Have a Ghost," is at its best. Unfortunately, his writing isn't as good as his directing, as the film drags on for far too long and has too many endings, even as it appears content to repeat themes and images rather than expanding on the interesting ideas presented in the movie. Ultimately, it's a good diversion, which is all most Netflix users want, but I'm hoping he makes "Happy Death Day 3" before returning to this world.

The first scene of "We Have a Ghost" shows the Presley family moving into a Chicago fixer-upper, which is based on a short story by Geoff Manaugh called Ernest. Father Frank (Anthony Mackie), whose relationship with his estranged son Kevin (Jahi Di'Allo Winston, who was excellent in "Charm City Kings" and "Everything Sucks!"), is deteriorating, is struggling to make ends meet. Soon after they arrive, Kevin is in the attic looking around when he comes across Ernest, a trapped soul (David Harbour, giving a silent performance). Since his death in the 1970s, Ernest has been frightening away residents despite his inability to speak. Kevin doesn't experience fear. He records Ernest on his phone, and then all of a sudden, a viral ghost appears.

Imagine if a real ghost appeared everywhere on social media. What would take place? Landon only has people, including a man dressed as Jesus, screaming outside the Presley home instead of doing nearly enough with this complex idea. It's fascinating to see Frank attempt to act as a sort of cultural agent by using Ernest's existence as a financial boost. He even consults a local medium for a meeting with Ernest; this scene features one of the movie's more impressive special effects and a potential Jennifer Coolidge cameo. But not enough has been done to explore the implications of evidence for an afterlife. It doesn't have to be profoundly philosophical, but even a cursory investigation might have given this idea some additional depth.

Instead, "We Have a Ghost" concentrates too much on Dr. Leslie Monroe (Tig Notaro), a paranormal researcher, and Arnold Shipley, her CIA supervisor (Steve Coulter). In the middle of the movie, directed by Landon, Ernest, Kevin, and their scene-stealing neighbor Joy (Isabella Russo) attempt to flee the armed guards and discover why the unfortunate man hasn't fully transitioned to the next level of existence. Of course, as Ernest discovers what actually happened to him and the identity of his killer, "We Have a Ghost" also turns into a bit of a whodunit.

Winston still feels like a future star because, even at such a young age, he is so self-assured and natural. Harbor gives a performance that could have been all exaggerated mugging to make up for the lack of dialogue that is actually effective. The two of them alone have enough to like to keep teenagers and their parents from frequently checking social media while it plays, but it lacks the drive to get them to put their phones down permanently. Particularly in the final act, which repeats concepts and ends multiple times, there simply isn't a sense of urgency. Like "Freaky" and "Happy Death Day," which were noticeably shorter (and felt tighter), this film needs to hum.

Even though "We Have a Ghost" occasionally drags, it never fully blends into the drab background of recent Netflix originals. Even though we don't have a clear winner, we do have a fun distraction.