Every so often, a movie is released that seems to have been tailored made for just one specific person; as if the directors and writers reached down into their mind, pulled out all the things they like and the themes that resonate with them on a deep level and craft their story and characters for just that single soul. For me, it’s titles such as 2:22, The Village, and The Adjustment Bureau (if you already know the connection those titles share, major props). And now, A Ghost Waits can be added to that list.
I love horror, and this is a haunted house—point one. Stovall and Andrews use those horror trappings to tell a sweet romance about two lost souls, depressed and longing for connection—point two. Due to a great screenplay, the film uses comedy and drama to drive its plot, AND it builds up a genuinely unique and intriguing world. Plus, the dialogue is most witty and enjoyable—points three and four. It is beautifully shot in black and white, perfectly illustrating the crossroads Muriel and Jack are trapped in, as they see their perspective until the two meet—point five. Finally, the filmmakers know that there is only one logical conclusion to their story and are unafraid to end it in the only way that makes sense—point six. And so on and so forth.
“The comedy and drama work in tandem to bring authentic emotions to the forefront.”
MacLeod Andrews is delightful as Jack. His dead-eyed stare, unsure of how to relate to other humans, underscores the character’s loneliness, while his excitement in conversing with someone who gets him, ghost or not, is palpable. Natalie Walker mixes both sweetness and creepiness in equal measure. This ensures that the audience buys Muriel as scary enough to haunt people out of a home, but also gentle enough for Jack to fall head over heels without him seeming crazy. It certainly helps that Andrews and Walker light up the screen with their electric chemistry.
I have nothing negative to say about A Ghost Waits. The themes of how depression and feeling like you can never fit in consume you, in the worst way, are more than just stage dressing. The light that enters Jack and Muriel’s worlds when they find another soul who understands them shines bright. The comedy and drama work in tandem to bring authentic emotions to the forefront. All of this is filmed in glorious black and white and anchored by two amazing lead performances. What more could one want?
"…every so often, a movie is released that seems to have been tailored made for just one specific person..."
