Movie Review – Ghost Stories haunts

By Michael Foster-Sanders

British horror film succeeds in providing frights

The horror genre is having a great year so far in 2018. Films such as The Strangers: Prey at Night and A Quiet Place show that horror films can still command attention and scare viewers. Will the British horror film Ghost Stories add fuel to the fire or extinguish the flame?

This movie will make the fire spread.

A mysterious figure eerily stands at the end of a tunnel, which is one of many creepy, atmospheric moments in the British horror film Ghost Stories.
A mysterious figure eerily stands at the end of a tunnel, which is one of many creepy, atmospheric moments in the British horror film Ghost Stories.
Photo courtesy IFC Midnight

Ghost Stories is an anthology film in the vein of Creepshow or Tales From the Hood. It revolves around Professor Goodman, a skeptic who receives a box from a peer named Gorman, who was thought to be long dead, with three paranormal cases. The three cases involve a night watchman working in an old factory, a teenager whose car breaks down and a businessman waiting on the birth of his child. Once Goodman tracks down Gorman, he starts to realize he might have bitten off more than he can chew.

What makes Ghost Stories special and different than most horror movies is its creepy atmosphere and feeling of dread throughout the movie. The film wears its British horror roots on its sleeves and pays homage to Hammer, a classic British film house, with its stories.

Ghost Stories started a limited theatrical release April 20 and is also available on-demand.
Ghost Stories started a limited theatrical release April 20 and is also available on-demand.
Photo courtesy IFC Midnight

The actors bring their A-game to the film, especially Andy Nyman who plays Professor Goodman. Seeing him dive deeper into the rabbit hole when being a skeptic and seeing him starting to believe is a sight to behold.

If the movie had any faults, it would have to be the makeup for some of the characters. Bad makeup and special effects can take a person away from a movie, so if this movie is successful and gets a sequel, this problem would need to be addressed.

Does Ghost Stories reinvent the wheel for the horror genre? No, but it does provide oil to keep the wheel moving. Check out this movie if it’s playing in a theater or through video-on-demand to experience the eerie tales.