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We Have a Ghost
We Have a Ghost
We Have a Ghost
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We Have a Ghost
Official release poster
Directed byChristopher Landon
Screenplay byChristopher Landon
Based on"Ernest"
by Geoff Manaugh
Produced by
  • Marty Bowen
  • Dan Halsted
Starring
CinematographyMarc Spicer
Edited byBen Baudhuin
Music byBear McCreary[1]
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • February 24, 2023 (2023-02-24)
Running time
127 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$51 million[2]

We Have a Ghost is 2023 American supernatural horror comedy film written and directed by Christopher Landon, based on the 2017 short story "Ernest" by Geoff Manaugh. It stars David Harbour, Jahi Winston, Tig Notaro, Jennifer Coolidge, and Anthony Mackie. It was released on February 24, 2023, by Netflix[3] and received mixed reviews from film critics.

Plot

[edit]

The Presleys purchase a large, cheap and abandoned house. Kevin, the youngest, discovers a ghost in the attic, who has been scaring off other intruders, and records a video of him. The next day, he talks to the ghost, who turns out to be mute and does not remember his past life. The ghost's shirt says 'Ernest', so Kevin calls him Ernest. Kevin is resolved to help Ernest discover his past, hoping it will help him find peace and crossover, while his father Frank publishes the video of Ernest on YouTube to become famous.

At high school Kevin teams up with his neighbor Joy. They discover a photo of Ernest posing with an Ernest Scheller, the previous house owner. Ernest has flashbacks of having a daughter.

Horror writer Dr. Leslie Monroe, who previously ran a CIA program for capturing ghosts, breaks into the Presley home to capture Ernest alongside several FBI agents, but Kevin, Joy and Ernest have already left to find Scheller in Oklahoma. Scheller identifies the ghost as Randy, his wife's sister's husband. He claims that after Randy's wife died, Randy left his daughter June with Scheller and disappeared. The CIA arrive in Oklahoma and capture Randy.

Frank apologises to Kevin for using Randy. While in captivity, Randy has a flashback of being killed by Scheller. Dr. Monroe has a change of heart and frees Randy. Meanwhile, Scheller arrives at the house to kill Kevin, believing Kevin knew what he did and was trying to avenge Randy's murder. Scheller reveals that his wife was infertile and ordered him to murder Randy so they could take June for their own. Scheller chases Kevin to the attic, where Randy arrives just in time to save him. Frank tackles Scheller out the window to his death. Kevin and Frank reunite Randy with a grown up June, and Randy moves on to the afterlife after a heartwarming goodbye with Kevin.

Kevin and Joy are now a couple and the Presleys are preparing to move to a different house only five miles away. Before leaving, Kevin and Joy are talking in the attic and he asks if she thinks Randy can still see them from wherever he is. After they leave the attic, a light flickers; possibly Randy’s way of saying he can and good-bye/thank you.

Cast

[edit]

In addition, Bob the Drag Queen and Dr. Phil McGraw have cameo appearances as themselves.[4][5]

Production

[edit]

Production of We Have a Ghost was announced in July 2021, with Christopher Landon writing and directing, and Geoff Manaugh, on whose short story it was based, as executive producer. The cast included Anthony Mackie, David Harbour, Jahi Winston, Tig Notaro, Jennifer Coolidge, Erica Ash, Niles Fitch, Isabella Russo, Faith Ford and Steve Coulter.[6] Harbour was Landon's first choice for the role of Ernest; as he told Entertainment Weekly: "I knew that the role was incredibly challenging because there's no dialog, so he just has to do so much with so little. We had a meeting, and he told me he was terrified of doing it, which I thought was great because it shows that he was feeling vulnerable and intrigued and excited. By the end of our meeting, I think we both felt really strongly that it was a good match".[7]

Principal photography began in August 2021 in Donaldsonville and New Orleans.[8] A few weeks into filming, production was halted because of the landfall of Hurricane Ida in Louisiana. Production resumed October to finish filming scenes in the Ascension Parish west bank city.[9][10]

Reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 42% of 73 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.1/10. The website's consensus reads: "We Have a Ghost has a fun concept and a talented cast; unfortunately, this spookily uneven '80s pastiche also has very little idea of what to do with them."[11] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 53 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[12]

Accolades

[edit]
Year Awards Category Recipient Result Ref.
2023 Australian Cinematographers Society Feature Films - Budget $3m and Over We Have a Ghost Won [13]
2024 Feature Film Won [14]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

We Have a Ghost

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
We Have a Ghost is a 2023 American horror written and directed by Christopher Landon. Based on the 2017 short story "" by Geoff Manaugh, the film centers on a teenage boy named Kevin who discovers a named Ernest haunting his family's new home, sparking viral fame on but also drawing the attention of a secretive CIA agent. Released on on February 24, 2023, it blends elements of family adventure, humor, and thriller tropes in a story set in a fixer-upper house in . The narrative follows the Presley family—consisting of Kevin (Jahi Winston), his mother Melanie (Erica Ash), father Frank (Anthony Mackie), and sister (Isabella Russo)—as they navigate the unexpected supernatural presence and its consequences. stars as the enigmatic , a with whose past unravels through Kevin's investigations, while supporting roles include as CIA operative Dr. Leslie Monroe and as a quirky . Produced by and , the movie explores themes of family bonds, digital celebrity, and government overreach, with practical effects enhancing its lighthearted ghostly encounters. Upon release, We Have a Ghost received mixed reviews from critics, praised for its charismatic performances—particularly Harbour's comedic turn—and tone but critiqued for predictable plotting and uneven pacing. Despite the mixed reception, it became a hit on , topping the charts in 66 countries and accumulating 52 million hours viewed in its first week. It holds a 44% approval rating on based on 75 reviews, with an average score of 5.3/10, and a 6.1/10 average on from over 36,000 user ratings. The film was noted for its diverse cast and appeal to younger audiences, earning a PG-13 rating for action, some language, and rude humor.

Plot and Cast

Plot

The Presley family, struggling financially after patriarch Frank's string of failed business ventures, relocates to a dilapidated house in suburban seeking a fresh start. Teenage son , feeling like an outsider in his , investigates strange noises in the attic on their first night and encounters a friendly but amnesiac dressed in a bowling shirt labeled "Ernest." The , unable to speak at first, communicates through gestures and drawings, forming an unlikely bond with Kevin, who enlists his sharp-witted neighbor and crush to help uncover Ernest's identity in hopes of granting him peace and allowing him to move on to the . Meanwhile, Frank and Kevin's older brother Fulton discover the and begin filming interactions for , turning the family's predicament into viral fame as "Ghost Fam," complete with merchandise and sponsorships that temporarily alleviate their money woes. This exposure draws the attention of CIA operative Dr. Leslie Monroe, a hunter who believes holds the key to advanced research and deploys agents armed with specialized equipment to capture him. As Kevin and Joy dig deeper using and a visit to a skeptical medium, they piece together Ernest's tragic backstory: he is actually Randy, a man whose wife died during , leaving him to raise their June alone amid his grief and financial instability. The investigation reveals a shocking twist—Randy was murdered by his brother-in-law, the living , who, unable to have children of his own, bludgeoned Randy with a , buried his body in the of the house, and claimed as his , fabricating a story of abandonment to cover the crime. The CIA's intense interest stems from their program, viewing Randy's as a rare, controllable entity for experimentation. Fleeing Monroe's pursuit during a chaotic road trip to locate the now-adult June, Kevin, Joy, and the increasingly vocal Randy evade capture, forging deeper family involvement as Frank's obsession with fame gives way to protective instincts. In the climax, the real tracks them down, breaking into the Presley home to silence and eliminate the threat to his fabricated life, leading to a tense confrontation where Frank intervenes, accidentally causing to fall to his death from a . With Monroe's reluctant aid in evading further pursuit, reunites with a tearful , who learns the truth about her father and expresses forgiveness for his earlier struggles. This emotional closure allows 's spirit to ascend peacefully to the , fading away after a heartfelt farewell to . The Presley family, bonds restored through the ordeal—Frank recommitting to honest work, gaining confidence and a budding romance with —relocates to a nearby home, though a flickering light bulb in the old house suggests 's benevolent presence lingers.

Cast

The principal cast of We Have a Ghost features as Ernest/Randy, the central ghost character who is a mute and amnesiac spirit haunting the Presley family home; he communicates primarily through physical actions and gestures while gradually regaining fragments of his memories throughout the story. Jahi Di'Allo Winston portrays Kevin Presley, the teenage protagonist who discovers the ghost, forms an unlikely friendship with him, and spearheads the effort to uncover Ernest's past. plays Frank Presley, Kevin's father, a well-meaning but opportunistic parent who initially views the ghost's presence as a chance for family fame and financial gain. stars as Melanie Presley, Kevin's pragmatic mother who leverages the ghost for viral success before becoming invested in resolving his mystery.
ActorRoleDescription
Fulton PresleyKevin's older brother, a confident high who provides and support within the family dynamic.
Isabella RussoJoy YoshinoKevin's next-door neighbor and crush who helps investigate the 's past and joins the adventure.
Dr. Leslie MonroeA determined CIA and ghost expert who pursues for government experimentation, serving as the film's primary .
Judy RomanoA cable psychic medium whose over-the-top reactions to the supernatural add humor to the .
Jo-Ann RobinsonThe adult daughter of Randy (), whose emotional reunion with the represents a key resolution in the story.
The film includes cameo appearances by as a priest and as himself, contributing to satirical scenes involving media and spiritual advice. For Harbour's portrayal of the , extensive were used by ReDefine to transform his performance across over 850 shots, including a specialized "ghost rig" for and ethereal movements, while on-set he adopted physical changes like a comb-over to match the character's disheveled appearance.

Production

Development

The film We Have a Ghost is based on the 2017 "" by Geoff Manaugh, originally published on Vice.com as a dark tale of a family discovering a hidden ghostly resident in their new home. In November 2017, Legendary Pictures acquired the screen rights to the story in a competitive auction and attached Christopher Landon—known for directing (2017)—to write and direct the adaptation. Landon, who had encountered and been drawn to Manaugh's story years earlier for its eerie premise of an unaware ghost, spent the subsequent period in development expanding the narrative. After navigating traditional development challenges, the project transitioned to , where Landon continued scripting to transform the original's creepy tone into a more accessible, family-oriented horror-comedy. In July 2021, officially greenlit the film, announcing as writer-director alongside early casting attachments: in the lead role of father Frank Presley, as the ghost Ernest, and Jahi Di'Allo Winston as teenage son Kevin Presley. For the adaptation, incorporated contemporary elements like fame turning the family's discovery viral, alongside a CIA pursuit to exploit the ghost, aiming to blend humorous family dynamics with supernatural thriller tension in an Amblin-inspired style.

Filming

Principal photography for We Have a Ghost commenced in August 2021 in Donaldsonville and New Orleans, Louisiana, standing in for the film's Chicago setting. The production utilized a historic mansion in Donaldsonville's downtown district to represent the Presley family home, while New Orleans provided urban backdrops for chase and action sequences. Crews were active in Donaldsonville as early as August 23, with additional shooting in the area scheduled through late October, including main unit work from October 18 to 20 and second unit filming until October 26, marking the production's wrap. Filming faced a significant interruption in late 2021 when made landfall in , prompting the suspension of production on We Have a Ghost and several other projects in the region. The cast and crew were pre-emptively evacuated for safety, leading to a postponement that delayed resumption until October. This weather event disrupted schedules across the state's , but the team returned to complete without further major halts. The production incorporated a mix of practical effects and to bring the and action elements to life. Special effects technicians handled on-set manifestations for the , while VFX studio ReDefine contributed digital enhancements, including a technique for ethereal visuals and augmentations for CIA pursuit sequences. Marc Spicer oversaw the shoot, capturing the blend of domestic horror and high-energy chases.

Release

Premiere and distribution

We Have a Ghost premiered directly to streaming on on February 24, 2023, as an exclusive without a traditional theatrical release. The movie was distributed by and made available worldwide in over 190 countries on its release date, aligning with the platform's standard global rollout for original content. Upon debut, the film topped Netflix's English Films Top 10 list, accumulating 40.5 million hours viewed during its first full week. This strong initial performance underscored its appeal as a family-oriented horror-comedy. No official physical home media release, such as DVD or Blu-ray, has been issued for We Have a Ghost. It remains exclusive to for streaming, with offline download options available to subscribers through the platform's app.

Marketing

The marketing campaign for We Have a Ghost centered on building anticipation through digital platforms, leveraging the film's themes of virality and supernatural family adventure. Netflix released the official trailer on January 26, 2023, which highlighted the humorous premise of a teen discovering a named , leading to his family's overnight fame, while teasing action elements involving a government pursuit. The trailer, directed by Christopher Landon, emphasized lighthearted ghost humor and family dynamics to appeal to a broad audience, amassing millions of views shortly after launch. Social media efforts prominently featured Netflix's #WeHaveAGhost across platforms like , , and to engage users with the film's viral fame plot. Promotional posts encouraged shares and interactions, including cast messages from promoting the premiere and clips showcasing spooky yet comedic elements to mimic the story's sensation trope. While specific challenges were not formally announced, the campaign tied into 's short-form video style, with posting teasers and fan reactions to amplify buzz ahead of the February 24, 2023, release. Partnerships focused on digital influencers and platforms suited to the film's youthful, tech-savvy tone, including collaborations for promotional content featuring ghost-hunting skits inspired by the narrative. Posters and key art prominently displayed David Harbour's ethereal ghostly appearance as Ernest, distributed via Netflix's social channels and partner sites to evoke a blend of whimsy and mild scares. Press activities included virtual and in-person junkets with director Christopher Landon and stars and , where they discussed the film's genre-mixing of horror, comedy, and adventure. In interviews, Landon highlighted the Amblin-inspired family focus, while and shared insights on portraying relatable parental figures in a setting, generating pre-release coverage in outlets like and Shadow and Act. These efforts prioritized online accessibility over traditional , aligning with Netflix's streaming model.

Reception

Critical reception

Upon its release, We Have a Ghost received mixed reviews from critics, earning a 44% approval rating on based on 75 reviews, with an average score of 5.1/10. The site's consensus described the film as having "a fun concept and a talented ; unfortunately, this spookily uneven also has very little idea of what to do with them." On , it holds a score of 53 out of 100 from 23 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reception. Critics praised certain elements, particularly the family dynamics and David Harbour's performance as the ghost Ernest, which brought emotional depth and humor to the story. Reviewers highlighted the light-hearted tone and its evocation of '80s supernatural family adventures, drawing comparisons to films like for its blend of whimsy and mild scares. In Variety, noted the amiable quality of the script's satire, where Ernest's viral fame underscores themes of exploitation in the digital age. However, common criticisms focused on uneven pacing, underdeveloped subplots, and an inability to effectively balance its horror, , and sentimental elements, resulting in a runtime that felt overstretched at 127 minutes. Gleiberman called it a "misfire" that prioritized sentiment over scares or laughs, likening it to a prolonged of a children's . Audience reception was more positive, with a 61% score on from over 1,000 verified ratings, often citing its appeal to younger viewers through goofy antics and messages about understanding and .

Accolades

We Have a Ghost earned recognition in the category at the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) awards. Marc Spicer ACS received the Gold Award for his work on the film at the ACS NSW/ACT Awards in 2023. In 2024, Spicer won the Golden Tripod for Feature Films – Budget $3m and over at the 54th ACS National Awards, further acknowledging the film's visual craftsmanship. These honors underscore the technical excellence in capturing the film's supernatural elements and family dynamics, aligning with critical praise for the 's atmospheric quality. The film did not receive major awards or nominations in acting, directing, or other categories from prominent organizations such as the .

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7798604/
  2. https://www.netflix.com/title/80230619
  3. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/we_have_a_ghost
  4. https://entertainmentstrategyguy.com/2023/03/24/buzz-vs-viewership-outer-banks-bel-air-m3gan-we-have-a-ghost-and-more/
  5. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/we-have-a-ghost
  6. https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a43054838/we-have-a-ghost-ending-explained/
  7. https://decider.com/2023/02/24/we-have-a-ghost-ending-explained-netflix-twist/
  8. https://www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/we-have-a-ghost-2023/
  9. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a43138633/we-have-a-ghost-ending-explained/
  10. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/we-have-a-ghost-cast-guide
  11. https://www.dexerto.com/tv-movies/we-have-a-ghost-cast-all-actors-characters-2070446/
  12. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7798604/fullcredits/
  13. https://www.postmagazine.com/Press-Center/Daily-News/2023/ReDefine-creates-850-shots-for-Netflixs-I-We-Hav.aspx
  14. https://www.eonline.com/news/1307285/you-need-to-see-david-harbours-jaw-dropping-transformation-for-new-netflix-movie
  15. https://www.vice.com/en/article/ernest/
  16. https://deadline.com/2017/11/ernest-ghost-short-story-legendary-christopher-landon-happy-death-day-legendary-1202216970/
  17. https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/a-fresh-take-on-an-old-ghost-story-christopher-landon-on-netflixs-we-have-a-ghost/
  18. https://deadline.com/2021/07/we-have-a-ghost-christopher-landon-to-write-direct-netflix-pic-anthony-mackie-david-harbour-1234796219/
  19. https://variety.com/2021/film/news/anthony-mackie-david-harbour-we-have-a-ghost-jahi-diallo-winston-1235023603/
  20. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshweiss/2023/02/27/we-have-a-ghost-writerdirector-chris-landon-discusses-his-amblin-y-take-on-the-ghost-story-genre/
  21. https://www.wafb.com/2021/08/24/netflix-filming-we-have-ghost-movie-donaldsonvilles-downtown-historic-district/
  22. https://www.donaldsonvillechief.com/story/news/2021/08/16/netflix-movie-we-have-ghost-filming-donaldsonville/8160627002/
  23. https://www.donaldsonvillechief.com/story/news/2021/10/13/netflix-movie-we-have-ghost-production-returns-donaldsonville/8439262002/
  24. https://decider.com/2023/02/27/we-have-a-ghost-filming-locations-louisiana/
  25. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/productions-louisiana-hurricane-ida-1235005220/
  26. https://www.klfy.com/louisiana/new-netflix-ghost-movie-made-in-louisiana-is-online-now/
  27. https://www.artofvfx.com/we-have-a-ghost-vfx-breakdown-by-redefine/
  28. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/we-have-a-ghost-movie-review-2023
  29. https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/we-have-a-ghost-release-date-cast-news
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7798604/releaseinfo/
  31. https://deadline.com/2023/02/outer-banks-season-3-we-have-a-ghost-netflix-top-10-ratings-1235274746/
  32. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82I1ErFD63U
  33. https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsReDefine/videos/we-have-a-ghost-trailer-redefine/1393884231420958/
  34. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/we-have-a-ghost-christopher-landon-netflix-movie-1235330417/
  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7ehx0sgOGA
  36. https://www.metacritic.com/movie/we-have-a-ghost/
  37. https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/we-have-a-ghost-review-1235534244/
  38. https://dailycampus.com/2023/02/27/we-have-a-ghost-explores-family-dynamics-within-a-haunted-house/
  39. https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3752171/we-have-a-ghost-review-tender-gateway-horror-adventure-uses-ghostly-charms-to-capture-family-bonds-and-humor-embargoed-til-2-23-9pm-et/
  40. https://cinematographer.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/NSW_ACT_Awards-2023_List2.pdf
  41. https://cinematographer.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ACS-Natioanl-Awards-2024-Winners-List-pages.pdf
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