Watch Ghostlight

Ghostlight is a drama horror movie from 2013 directed by Jeff Ferrell. The story follows Lizzy, a struggling actress who takes a role in a play about a notorious serial killer. The production takes place in an old theater haunted by the murdered victims of the play's subject. Lizzy struggles to balance her personal demons with the supernatural events happening around her as the line between the play and reality begins to blur.

The lead actress, Eden Campbell, delivers a strong and empathetic performance as Lizzy. She represents the struggle of trying to make it in the competitive world of entertainment while dealing with personal demons. Campbell captures the vulnerability and fragility of her character while adding an undercurrent of darkness that becomes increasingly prominent as the plot develops.

Lisa Coronado is another standout in the film as she brings depth and complicated layers to her character, Jeanie, who plays the role of the serial killer. David A. Crellin gives an intense performance as the director, Frank, who has an unusual attachment to the material.

The action takes place almost entirely within the theater, which lends a claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere to the film. The old building provides the perfect setting for the ghostly apparitions that start to appear. The special effects, lighting, and sound design all conspire to create a feeling of dread and unease. The music folows the mood of the film and makes the atmosphere even more haunting.

The film does an admirable job of balancing the supernatural horror elements with the real-world problems of the characters. The story is thematically rich, exploring themes of jealousy, revenge, and artistic integrity. It's not just a scary movie, but it also challenges the viewer to think about the role of art in society and the lengths some people will go to achieve their goals.

The pacing of the film is deliberate, allowing the tension to build gradually. The use of flashbacks and dream sequences tantalizes the viewer with glimpses of the past and hints of what's to come. Though the film clocks in at just over an hour and a half, it never feels rushed, and the tension is sustained throughout.

Another interesting aspect of the film is its meta-narrative. The story within the film concerns a play about a serial killer, and the production of the film itself is about the play. The lines between the characters and the people playing them become blurred as the play begins to affect their behavior in subtle ways. It's a clever way of adding an extra layer of complexity to the story and makes the viewer question what is real and what isn't.

However, the film is not without its flaws. Some of the supporting characters are underdeveloped and feel like they exist only to move the plot forward. Some of the dialogue is a bit clunky, especially in the beginning, but the film's strong visual style and performances more than make up for any shortcomings in the script.

Overall, Ghostlight is a gripping horror film that balances scares with a thought-provoking story. The performances are excellent, and the visual style is impressive. The film explores complex themes while delivering on the promise of supernatural horror. Fans of the genre will find plenty to enjoy, but even those who don't typically enjoy horror movies might find something to appreciate here. It's a well-crafted film that deserves a wider audience.

Ghostlight is a 2013 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.0.