"Ghost Stories" is a (Mostly) Fun Throwback

It’s a classic spook show that touches on all the tropes of the genre: a night watchman in an abandoned asylum, a careless youngster on a joy ride through desolate woods, and a haunted stranger with an unimaginable secret. For fans of the ghost genre this will be an absolutely fun romp with a straightforward approach that is somehow refreshing. The production values show the care that went into making the film and there’s so much attention to detail with the elaborate sets, the moody theatrical lighting, and strong performances from a spooked Paul Whitehouse, a deranged Alex Lawther, and Martin Freeman at his serious-wacky best. Yes this is a man’s movie with nary a (living) female in sight, which is unusual for a horror movie. Where is the final girl or the scream queen?
However, the final destination may be a sticking point for many viewers. The source material is a stage play and sorrowful endings are all too common in theatre. The movie is a gleeful, frightful fun for most of its running time and the abrupt tonal shift is jarring and unnecessary. It harkens to the obnoxious twists found in M. Night Shyamalan’s movies and this too, lands with dud. It’s not enough to ruin the movie but still brings the fun to a halt.
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