"Movie Review : We Have a Ghost"

During the pandemic, the lack of a substantial audience for the body swap comedy horror Freaky was one of the hardest big screen losses, despite being a snappy crowd-pleaser. Unfortunately, Freaky was released during the time when audiences were still staying away, leading to its cruelly under-seen status. Freaky was written and directed by Christopher Landon, who is known for his previous works like Disturbia and Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse and directing Happy Death Days 1 and 2. His previous works showcased a buoyancy of tone that made them fun even when frightening things were happening. However, Freaky's lack of exposure might have cost Landon something more distinctive. Though his latest movie, We Have a Ghost, might be aimed at a younger demographic, it retains the same speed and spirit as his previous work.

We Have a Ghost takes a family and places them in a new home that is haunted by a gentle ghost played by David Harbour. The ghost is unable to talk, but the family members interpret its presence differently. For father Frank (Anthony Mackie), it’s an opportunity to make money, for mother Melanie (Survivor’s Remorse alum Erica Ash) it’s a reason to be frustrated, for eldest son Fulton (Niles Fitch) it’s a way to get girls, and for younger son Kevin (Jahi Winston), it’s a way to feel less alone. The central friendship in the movie is between Kevin and the ghost, as Kevin takes the lead to help the ghost figure out how he died and how he can find some sort of freedom.

Although the film has some mildly interesting familial tension between the opportunist father and disappointed son, Landon struggles to bring emotional heft to the central friendship. Harbour's ghost is unable to talk, which makes it hard for him to do much with the character. The energy that powered Landon's previous suburban mystery Disturbia is regrettably absent. The film gets bogged down in some over-plotted nonsense involving a gaudy TV medium (Jennifer Coolidge, given very little and doing very little with it), a ghost hunter turned author (Tig Notaro), and an oversized CIA master plan. The bigger it all gets, the further we feel pushed away, which makes it similar to the scrappy disaster of Happy Death Day 2U that squandered the simple joys of the original by needlessly extending the canvas.

Landon's attempt to recall the films of many people's childhood starts to sour as he moves towards the finale. There is not enough of the new to sit with the old, and a big emotional goodbye aimed to jerk tears is more likely to make viewers check their watches. The film has its heart in the right place, but it seems like its heart has been transplanted from somewhere else.

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However, it's worth noting that We Have a Ghost is not without its charms. For one, the film features some impressive visual effects, particularly in the scenes that showcase the ghost's powers. Harbour is also enjoyable to watch as the titular ghost, even if he is limited by the fact that he cannot speak.

In the end, We Have a Ghost is a mixed bag. On one hand, it's an entertaining enough family film that should satisfy younger viewers, and it's clear that Landon has a fondness for the genre he's working in. However, on the other hand, the film never quite lives up to its potential, and it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. If you're a fan of Landon's previous work or enjoy family-friendly movies with a spooky twist, then We Have a Ghost may be worth a watch. Just don't go in expecting anything too groundbreaking or memorable.

In conclusion, while Freaky was a victim of unfortunate timing during the pandemic, We Have a Ghost has the benefit of being released in a time when cinemas are reopening and audiences are hungry for new content. However, it falls short of being a truly memorable film, and while it has its moments, it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity. Nonetheless, it's clear that Landon has a talent for crafting entertaining genre fare, and it will be interesting to see what he comes up with next.It seems that We Have a Ghost is a film that has some positive aspects, such as impressive visual effects and an enjoyable performance from the lead actor. However, the film fails to live up to its potential and feels like a missed opportunity. While it may be worth watching for fans of the genre or the director's previous work, it falls short of being a truly memorable film. Nonetheless, it's clear that the director has talent in crafting entertaining genre fare, and it will be exciting to see what they create in the future.

• Initial release:

24 February 2023

• Director:

Christopher Landon

• Music by:

Bear McCreary