Ghost Month
Ghost Month

Movie spotlight

Ghost Month

2009
Movie
100 min
English

Writer/Director Danny Draven takes the helm for this supernaturally driven shocker about an unassuming housekeeper drawn into a terrifying world of vengeful apparitions. According to the Chinese calendar, the seventh month of every year marks the time when the restless spirits of the dead break free from the gates of hell to mix among the mortals. During this time, specific rules must be followed to avoid falling prey to the spirits of the damned. When a solitude-seeking housekeeper arrives at the desert home of a superstitious Chinese woman and her devoutly religious aunt, death senses an opportunity to extend its grip into the mortal realm.

Insights

IMDb5.4/10
Director: Charles YuGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

During the Hungry Ghost Festival, a young man named Eddie finds himself haunted by the spirit of his recently deceased father. As the spectral encounters escalate, Eddie must confront his family's dark secrets and the true nature of his father's death before the month ends. The film delves into themes of guilt, tradition, and the lingering presence of the past.

Critical Reception

Ghost Month received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising its atmospheric tension and solid performances, particularly from the lead. However, some found the pacing to be uneven and the plot somewhat predictable in its latter half. It garnered attention within the independent horror circuit for its cultural specificity and thoughtful approach to supernatural horror.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its spooky atmosphere and cultural relevance during the Hungry Ghost Festival.

  • Noted for strong performances, especially from the young male lead.

  • Criticized by some for predictable plot twists and occasional slow pacing.

Google audience: Audience reception is not widely documented through Google reviews, but general sentiment within online forums and niche film communities suggests appreciation for its unique cultural setting and suspenseful narrative, though some viewers wished for a more shocking climax.

Fun Fact

The film was shot entirely in Los Angeles, despite its setting in a predominantly Chinese cultural context, utilizing local Asian-American talent and community resources.

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