REVIEW: Ghost Stories

Ah, ghost stories. From the agnostic perspective, they can be a window into what's possible, if not ever apparent. They can also be, in the case of Ghost Stories' protagonist, an obstacle in need of discrediting with extreme prejudice.

Andy Nyman stars as Phillip Goodman (that last name isn't on the nose at all), a James Randi-esque denier of all things paranormal. When happenstance puts him in the path of 3 unexplainable paranormal stories, he reluctantly digs deeper.

Nyman, along with co-director Jeremy Dyson, show immense talent right out of the gate, crafting beautiful setpieces, and create subtle bump-in-the-night terror. It never becomes too over the top, boring, or cheesy. Sure, there are sequences that rely a tiny bit too much on jump scares, but there is more than enough atmospheric dread to shake a flashlight at. There is also some pretty awesome imagery at play here, ranging in style from the creature feature, the stereotypical, and even some nods to religious staples, all set to some absolutely stunning cinematography.

The characters inhabiting these brief anthology pieces are pretty well written for what precious little time they are on screen. Big kudos to Martin Freeman, Alex Lawther, and Paul Whitehouse for knocking their roles out of the park. They all convey 3 varying states of horror: the realist, the terrified manic, and the emotionally stunted. It's also an interesting glimpse into how different our individual psyches respond to incidents of confusion and terror.

While the anthology format is pretty standard, and done well here, the film's most polarizing moments come in the final act. I will keep it spoiler free, but Freeman and Nyman create a departure from format, which is equal parts confusing and horrifying. 

I'm of the mind that it works as a final stylish cherry on top of an already good movie, but I imagine it can be problematic for some viewers, as the tone dramatically shifts. 

I think the most important way to enjoy it, is to not overthink it. One could argue it negates the events that got the story off and running, and are likely correct, but I still think it works.

As a critiquer as well as an explorer of the supernatural, I truly appreciated this take on the tired trope of the arrogant denier. Nyman breathes fresh air into his character, and his journey hits many high notes, which are usually absent in this subgenre of horror. 

If you're skeptical about tales of the paranormal, this may not sway your opinion, but it is a fun journey that doesn't colour outside the lines of its anthonological dwelling.