31 Days of Halloween 2018: Ghost Stories

2017, Jeremy Dyson, Andy Nyman (mainly writers) -- download

A British horror triptych based on an earlier stage play by the same people, starring Martin Freeman and one of the writer/directors Andy Nyman. The movie has a skeptic challenged by his idol to disprove three ghost stories, and I say that is an inspiring and enigmatic elevator pitch for a horror movie. But, and yeah with opening sentences like that, there is always a but. But, it fell flat for me.

Perhaps in a stage play, where the viewer gets to fill in more gaps, the stories which are built around conversations are creepier and more provocative. One tale is about a night watchman at an asylum, which when told as a tale could be creepy but is a mainstay of horror movies, so just felt typical if somewhat well done. Another is about a weird kid who apparently hit the Devil with his car; but really, its just about how fucking creepy the kid is. And the final one, the one starring Martin Freeman is about a wealthy man haunted by the wife who died giving birth to his unnatural son.

I wanted more compelling dialogue, if this was to be based on a stage play. I wanted words that pulled something from the campfire tales soldering them to the mainstream tropes of horror film. Instead, it went from the above premise down a rabbit hole of oddity and a failed attempt at a Shyamalan style twist at the end.

Good posters though...