Introduction:
When I first heard about A Ghost Story (2017), the hype was real. The critics were raving, the trailer hinted at deep existential themes, and the movie seemed to have collected awards like a ghost in a haunted house. But does it live up to the buzz? I dove in, prepared for an emotional journey through life, death, and beyond. What I got was one of the most perplexing viewing experiences of my life—a mix of profound beauty and utter frustration. Buckle up; this is not your typical ghost story.
The Good, The Bad, and The Confusing
Let’s not sugarcoat it: A Ghost Story is not an easy watch. The first hour and a half felt like an eternity. Imagine a film where a grieving widow spends ten minutes silently eating a pie. Yes, ten minutes. In silence. Watching this, I felt like I had stumbled into a modern art exhibit where the artist was daring me to leave out of sheer boredom. Long, lingering shots, almost no dialogue, and a ghost under a bedsheet—it felt like the movie was playing a trick on me. Was this the masterpiece that critics had lauded, or was I missing something?
A Surprising Highlight: The Music
One unexpectedly amazing aspect of the film is its soundtrack, particularly the hauntingly beautiful song “I Get Overwhelmed” by Dark Rooms. The moment this song plays, it transforms the entire mood of the scene, capturing the essence of longing, love, and the passage of time. I found myself replaying that song long after the movie ended — it’s one of those rare tracks that can make you feel deeply even out of context. It’s worth watching the movie just to discover this musical gem!
Outside of the film, the song strikes a chord with me too, as a gamer girl, sometimes neglecting real life too much with “bright screens, high scores, stupid games, getting nothing done”, also being childfree and an empty nest which is my choice and my right, but definitely sad when thinking about progression and time and when my family is gone. I only have my mom and grandma and they’re 60 and 80 now.
In addition to just being a beautiful song, it hits in other ways too, and some of the online communities, as a girl gamer, we see men at their worst, a lot of misogynistic behaivors. Let this song be a warning to them – I see “joke” memes every day about what men really want is to be left alone to play their video games. I get it, it’s a joke, but it’s tiring seeing the same meme at least 10 times a day – and in a community of supposedly “mature” gamers like “over 30” or “over 40” gamers clubs. These lyrics are about all of you lol.
“Are you running late?
Did you sleep too much?
All the awful dreams felt real enough.
Is your lover there?
Is she waking up?
Did she die in the night?
Leave you alone, alone?Mirror, Mirror
There’s your crooked nose
Your boring hair
A dozen wrinklesNo children
Just an empty nest
No place like home
Just a fucking mess, mess20 messages
Did you hurt your thumbs?
On that stupid game getting nothing done
With your longest track, your highest score
While you crush your back
And lament the war, warAnd all the women
that you want to fuck
on the internet
won’t give you a second lookDid you fool yourself?
That’s privilege
That’s power without power
That’s a business, businessBut we know “you” is “I”
And I get overwhelmed
Can’t sleep at night
Think I lose myself
Can’t turn it off
Can’t let go
Can’t make sense of the fucking war, war
Am I running late?
I get overwhelmed
All the awful dreams
All the bright screens
Is my lover there?
Are we breaking up?
Did she find someone else?
And leave me alone, alone.”
Why the Film Almost Lost Me (and Might Lose You Too)
I’ll be blunt: 99% of this movie feels like an experiment in endurance. It’s slow, it’s quiet, and for a long time, it feels pointless. You’ll find yourself wondering, “Is this it? Did I just waste my time?” But here’s the catch: that agony is part of the movie’s genius. It challenges you to sit with its uncomfortable silences, its seemingly endless moments of stillness. And just when you’re ready to give up, something shifts.
The Last Ten Minutes: An Unexpected Masterpiece
Then, it happened—the final ten minutes hit me like a ton of bricks. Suddenly, all the slow pacing and minimalism made sense. The movie takes you through a profound reflection on time, existence, and what it means to be human. It touches on themes of eternal recurrence—where everything in life, from joy to pain, repeats in a perpetual loop. Yet, it also offers a glimmer of hope: the idea that souls can choose to break free and move on. I won’t spoil it for you, but those last moments brought tears to my eyes and gave me chills. It was as if the movie was finally rewarding me for enduring its earlier trials.
Why A Ghost Story is the Worst Best Movie I’ve Ever Seen
Yes, I’m calling it that—the worst best movie I’ve ever seen. For most of its runtime, it felt like I was trapped in an indie film hell of long takes and artistic pretension. But by the end, I realized that those seemingly pointless moments were building towards something beautiful, profound, and undeniably moving. It’s a movie that makes you question your patience, your understanding of time, and the nature of existence itself.
Final Thoughts: Should You Watch It?
If you’re looking for a movie with fast-paced action, tons of dialogue, or a straightforward narrative, A Ghost Story is not for you. But if you’re open to an experience that will test your patience, challenge your perceptions, and ultimately leave you contemplating the mysteries of life and death, give it a try. Just know you’ve been warned: the first hour and a half might feel like the worst movie you’ve ever seen, but the last ten minutes might just change your mind.
Conclusion:
So, is A Ghost Story worth watching? Only if you’re ready to endure one of the most painfully slow beginnings for one of the most unexpectedly beautiful endings. Are you brave enough to make it to the end? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
