Ghostlight (2013) User Reviews

Boring...

[paul_haakonsen · 3/10 · 15 December 2015]

When I bought this movie on Amazon I had no idea that it was a boring movie that it turned out to be, especially since it had a fairly good rating on Amazon. And the DVD cover had nothing to do with the movie itself. The DVD cover had something that looks like an asylum or other old, creepy building on it and some spooky silhouette and skull. False advertising in every sense of the words.

"Ghostlight" (or "Ghosthouse" as the DVD was titled) is a rather boring and uneventful movie. And the most scary part about it was the singing done by one of the actresses in the movie.

The acting in the movie was not particularly memorable or good, but then again they had very little to work with in terms of script and story.

Having seen the movie now, I can honestly say that I will never make a return trip to watch it again.

If you enjoy a good horror movie or ghost movie then your money and time is better spent elsewhere.

Not horrible but not very good!

[berg-74532 · 4/10 · 29 May 2020]

Good story, not unique, but good. Casting was fine everyone looked the part, acting about what you would expect. I would suggest to fast forward through the wife parts after you figure out what's going on. I get the personal tragedy but everything should not make her cry. What I will take from this movie is how incredibly skinny the silent movie actress is I'm surprised that woman could walk around with how little the actress must eat, jump scares were not nearly as jarring as when this woman was on screen. It's not great but I didn't feel like it was a complete waste of time, and if you just want a couple jump scares without a complicated story this should work.

ghost light plot

[michalebarnes · 4/10 · 29 December 2014]

ghost light starts out OK but leaves with unanswered questions which leads to the thought that the murdering husband doesn't need some thing to sustain him life force energy now ghost can use other life force to sustain them but there always looking for more or something to help them progress which suggest life force energy is fleeting and that the dead eventually feel the need to progress I sight poltergeist the movie there has to be a goal this movie suggests the ghost are self sustaining and don't need lives to exist that they take lives for amusement two plots exist in this matter 1 ghost are a shadow glimpse of past events and can have no effect on the living except to terrify rule can be changed if they become self aware of there circumstance and seek to free themselves or others from the relentless reenactment of time and events 2 ghost become predatory feeding on there original victims and seek others to sustain or raise there current offering to open gateways empower strengthen or archive an unnatural state of being even in the world of the dead ghost light dose not support either of these premises I understand the husband is fearful of loosing the love he probably has so he keeps her like a bird in a cage in the theater and she flies off to another he finds them kills them both and drags her body to the stage where he kills himself to bad they missed out on blood shots in the dressing room on the stairs the timing of events dose not fit natural course and how about those doors that are supposed to be locked I didn't know there was a twenty four hour ghost lock smith service for the dead that aside the child and parents are happily reunited in death no ghostly lights they just wander off because let's face it it's not really about them right well the movie suggests they are looking for some one oops's my bad you were killed for nothing this kind of thing happens OVER EIGHTY YEARS these ghost must be the stupidest people living or dead or we just don't see the plot better luck next time directors and hey you might try something called research of plot structure or maybe watch movies before you make movies no wonder you went to the two for a dollar shelf at family video give me a movie I can believe make it structurally supportive add premise story line plot and finish with good review I wish I could say more but your film has said enough it appears you left an open ending but if there as bad as the first don't bother your movie sucks good for a scare but so is a fun house but there not trying to make a movie thumbs down on this movie

iii caaan sleeeeep... through this movie

[BtzLtd · 2/10 · 21 March 2020]

The noir thriller/drama might not be a dead genre, but this movie is pulling it toward the light. the actual story revolves around a theater stage, where films(and half the characters in this movie) go to die. this wouldve been a tidy small theater production, given the talent of the actors and a better script edit. and oh my, the opening/ending song is painful to listen to. hard to watch as well, because the dubbing is ridiculous. if youre really into amateur theater, this might be for you. otherwise seek elsewhere

Beyond Bad -- Suffers From Dreadful Writing and Ridiculous Acting

[PDragon616 · 1/10 · 10 August 2014]

Okay it's an indie film, I get it, but Dennis Kleinsmith can't act. Please hire an actor capable of delivering a line in such a way that it's not obvious that he is acting--hint to the unaware: people don't actually talk like that. Secondly, don't have characters sing if they can't actually sing. During the opening sequence I was actually happy when the wife gets her throat cut on stage just so she would shut up and stop singing.

What's with the writing on this film? Who thought it would be a great idea to have a needlessly extended exposition by "Gideon Black" (can you come up with a more cheesy name by the way) that telegraphs everything that we're going to see later in the film so there are no surprises? How is it that the writer never got the age-old mantra of fiction writing "show, don't tell"?

This movie is a train wreck. The characters are completely unbelievable, and hopelessly melodramatic. The movie puts on an air of being some sort of classic ghost story but ends up being banal and amateurish. I half expected to see Ed Wood's name in the credits. They might have been able to pull it off by adjusting the formula to make it a campy comedy instead of a film intended to be taken seriously. Though that would have taken capable writing and acting, neither of which is evident here.

Do not waste your time or money on this film. There are a number of classic ghost stories out there that are actually spooky and well done. This film plays like a high school project.

If Lifetime and the Hallmark Channels got together...

[tmccull52 · 1/10 · 1 December 2022]

If the Lifetime and Hallmark Channels got together to make a horror/ghost movie, it would be very much like " Ghostlight".

Cliche riddled, tediously predictable plot? Check.

Cast of unknown, overly-emotive, scenery-chewing actors? Check.

Complete lack of scares and suspense? Check.

Cheesy soundtrack? Check.

Special effects worthy of a fourth grade elementary school play? Check.

This movie isn't just bad; it's unbearably bad. It's the type of movie that would make you want to gouge out your own eyes with a dull spoon, and pierce your eardrums with rusty roofing nails.

The scariest thing about this movie is that someone actially greenlighted it for production and distribution. Unless you're a hapless, helpless masochist who suffers from insomnia, you should avoid this flop at all cost and consideration.

Geeky Randy's summary

[Geeky Randy · 22 October 2013]

Ambitious and charming indie film from Seattle that pays tribute to HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL, THE CHANGELING, THE SIXTH SENSE, and other classic ghost-horror movies. Sutherland wins a radio contest, but must spend the night in a haunted theater (filmed at the historic Everett Theater) in order to receive the $50,000 prize. Filled with genuine scares, witty dialogue and great acting—with Kleinsmith almost stealing the show as the theater's eccentric owner. The sound editing, however, is noticeably flawed even to the layman's ear, and director Ferrell's choice of the numerous fade-ins/fade-outs interferes with mood and pacing. Despite some bumps in the road, the film is an overall impressive and entertaining outing that has replay value.

*** (out of four)

Just bad, not even redeeming in comedy value

[btrainbennett · 1/10 · 2 October 2020]

The acting is hopeless, the singing is absolutely dire, the storylines that intertwine have no connection or meaning. I truly am puzzled as to why anyone would commit this to film and then, instead of setting it on fire immediately, allow it to be viewed by thousands of people (assuming there's are thousands of us unlucky enough to have watched this).

Notes to the director:

Please please please just do another take if the singer of the only song in the entire film sings flat first time, and if she still can't do it after 20 takes please sack her or extract her vocal chords and throw them in the bin leaving her silent for eternity because god knows she will try to use them again otherwise!

If your concept is that the ghosts appear in black and white and the real people appear in colour, make sure you have enough time, money and skill so that in post production you can make sure this scheme stays even if live and dead characters are in the same shot.

Please tell the sound designer that if they think a sound 'sounds really professional' it's probably because it's been overused in a million films and it sounds like you bought a 'kool movie' sample pack and plucked a random sample out every time you wanted to add suspense.

Sorry, there is so much more I want to write here but I shall stop boring you and simply ask please please don't waste your time with this film. I love bad horror films but this just failed in every level. It's a one from me, and that's being generous

My Review Of "Ghostlight"

[ASouthernHorrorFan · 7/10 · 9 June 2014]

"Ghostlight" is a paranormal thriller directed by Jeff Ferrell and follows a man who wins a chance at big money. Before he can collect though he must spend 24 hours in a haunted theatre. "Ghostlight" stars Brian Sutherland, Lisa Coronado, Dennis Kleinsmith, Russell Hodgkinson, and Ramona Freeborn.

The story of "Ghostlight" is your traditional, ghost story set-up, with a contest winner getting the opportunity to win some money, by staying in a haunted location. In this film that place is a haunted theatre, where the performance with bloody murder. This is a mature, somber thriller with a slow build to a terrifying and some what depressing ending. The arc is a proper string of suspense, with constant melodramatic, emotional connectivity, although the first half of the film is a bit of a sleeper with minimal thrills. Normally this would have me checked out permanently, however the strong story, decent acting and hints to a nice, tense ending held me to the film right until the bitter end.

The special effects in "Ghostlight" is a standard foray of gimmicks that one would expect in a paranormal thriller such as this. Most of the moments pay-off with some real suspense and creepy scenes taking place (most of which take place in the last half of the film). Now even though there isn't much new brought to the table with chilling effects in this one, "Ghostlight" manages to execute, a decent, steady ghost story that creates a haunting atmosphere with a nice finish. The sound effects and soundtrack does help build some suspense but it didn't really stand out as anything manager for me personally.

Overall "Ghostlight" is a well thought out little chiller. The first 45 minutes are bit slow and demand dedication when watching the film, but stick with it, the end is the big seller. The story is a mature tale that is worth a once over by paranormal fans. It is a classic tribute to both the theatrical and the ghost story that takes the genre serious. I enjoyed this film, it could have been a bit scarier, and the ending is a little more depressing than thrilling but still, it is a cool one that plays out nicely.

A creepy night at the movies

[enterprise19962005 · 10/10 · 24 July 2014]

Spending the night in a haunted theater, haunted house, haunted amusement park, haunted laundromat (OK maybe not that one) is not a new concept.

The trick is to grab your interest and hold it, so while the route may feel familiar, you still want to go along for the ride In that, Jeff Ferrell's first full-length film, "Ghostlight," succeeds.

The start of Ghostlight introduces us to the couple Mira and Andrew, who unevenly carry the weight of a yet-to-be-named tragedy. Mira is appears to be drowning, while Andrew's attempts to cheer her up seem earnest yet futile at best. When Andrew gets the opportunity to spend the night in a haunted theater for the chance to win fifty grand, it appears that fate has finally smiled upon them... or has it?

Ghostlight brings us along on Andrew's journey from fresh faced contestant to being at risk of becoming the latest entry on the cursed spirits menu. We get to meet the slightly bizarre theater manager, Mr. Black, the master of the wrong affect, who describes grisly dispatchings with what appears to be unabashed enthusiasm. We're treated to Mira's unnerving and ghastly premonitions. And without giving away any details, Ghostlight will make you think twice of spending quality time around mannequins.

In Ghostlight Ferrell displays an impressive array of talents - not only scripting/directing/editing - but by putting in a convincing turn as one of the ghosts. Ghostlight shows that a good supernatural tale doesn't require a splatterfest or a large body-count of disposable characters to deliver it's dose of creepiness.