Ghost Stories (2017)

November 23, 2022 7:05 AM

Professor Phillip Goodman devotes his life to exposing phony psychics and fraudulent supernatural shenanigans. His skepticism soon gets put to the test when he receives news of three chilling and inexplicable cases -- disturbing visions in an abandoned asylum, a car accident deep in the woods and the spirit of an unborn child. Even scarier -- each of the macabre stories seems to have a sinister connection to the professor's own life.

Starring Andy Nyman, Martin Freeman, Alex Lawther, Paul Whitehouse, Nicholas Burns, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Louise Atkins.

Written and directed by Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson, based on their stage play.

85% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on Kanopy, Tubi, and AMC Plus. Also available for digital rental. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (5 comments total)

I really, really liked this. Four stars for me. I could see an alternate review that took more note of the seams and didn't quite buy the ending, but it all worked for me. I've never seen the UK-only play, obviously, but it feels pretty successfully opened up for the screen. Looks great and has great music too.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:07 AM on November 23, 2022

DOT the Just Watch link takes you to a different movie by the same title released in 2000. I don't know if the mods can fix that, but thought I'd let you know.
posted by miss-lapin at 10:48 AM on November 23, 2022

Mods rock, as ever. Fixed.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:15 PM on November 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

Shepherd and I actually saw the stage production in London in 2010! It was at the Duke of York, I believe, and the theater itself was reputed to be haunted. The effects of the stage production were superb, and while I enjoyed watching the movie, it was not a patch on the stage version.
posted by Kitteh at 5:37 PM on November 23, 2022

This one is not widely seen and I was hesitant to put any spoilers towards the top of the page.

But okay, now that we're further down the page...

I was so sure the people Goodman was interviewing were all ghosts. Granted I couldn't square that with him seeing a vision of himself as a ghost. But it worked for all of the stories that stop short just as the teller would have died. Would have explained why no one seemed to come out and acknowledge the night watchman at the bar. It would also explain why Simon's parents never answered him. And even why Freeman's character's suicide didn't draw more response.

When the actual twist was revealed, I immediately moved this up my list to watch again so I could spot all of the clues.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 6:37 AM on November 24, 2022