Ghost in the Graveyard (2/5)

Ghost in the Graveyard is a low-budget horror movie. The movie is written and directed by first-time filmmaker Charlie Comparetto. However, it is very reminiscent of a Rocky Soraya movie; A lot of jump scares and a wild score. Read our Ghost in the Graveyard review here.

Ghost in the Graveyard is a low-budget horror movie that didn’t really do much for me. After watching the trailer, I expected to like it for a few reasons. But as soon as it started, I quickly recognized it wasn’t my kind of horror movie at all.

It is so full of jump scares and a score that is constantly leading up to these jump scares. I find it exhausting!

The worst part of these movies is the fact that these little horror-tricks always tend to come at the expense of the story. In the case of Ghost in the Graveyard, the story just feels familiar and predictable.

Read more about the movie in our Ghost in the Graveyard review below.

Get ready for weird shots and intense editing

To me, Ghost in the Graveyard was a struggle to watch from the very beginning. There is a lot of fast editing with very short shots in this horror movie. Something I can actually appreciate when done really well. I absolutely adore Requiem for a Dream by Darren Aronofsky which used it in a brilliant way.

Ghost in the Graveyard does not!

Also, the camera angles are constantly switching up in all kinds of crazy ways. Even when it’s just a laid back scene of two characters talking to one another about everyday stuff.

It feels like someone trying to show you everything they know how to do. They just have no idea how to use it. Instead of focusing on the story, it becomes all about camera work and short shots.

The cast of Ghost in the Graveyard

I can’t say anything bad about the cast of Ghost in the Graveyard. Or rather, I can’t blame them for not having more to work with. Kelli Berglund, Jake Busey and Olivia Larsen all have pretty big parts and they seem to deliver as instructed.

There are a few examples of minor supporting characters delivering their lines in some very flat ways that feel odd. But I honestly can’t figure out if the problem is with their acting or if they were asked to speak that way.

I have no doubt that Ghost in the Graveyard is probably a passion project. So are all of Rocky Soraya’s movies, I’m sure. But it does not change the fact that these kinds of horror movies feel like they’re not made with an actual audience in mind. And it’s a damn shame.

First-time filmmaker

The movie is written and directed by first-time filmmaker Charlie Comparetto. However, it is very reminiscent of a Rocky Soraya movie with all its jump scares and a very wild score. His most recent movie is a perfect example of why this just does not work for me – at all.

Recommended reading: Check out our review of Rocky Soraya’s The 3rd Eye 2 which is on Netflix now >

Charlie Comparetto has not even made a short film before making Ghost in the Graveyard. He did, however, work as a second unit director on The Brawler (2018). But that’s it.

If you like horror movies that go a mile a minute without any huge story, then you might enjoy Ghost in the Graveyard. Otherwise, it probably won’t do too much for you.

GHOST IN THE GRAVEYARD will have its World Premiere at LA’s Dances With Films on June 22, 2019. It will also be out  in select theaters and on VOD from November 5, 2019.

Details

Director: Charlie Comparetto
Writer: Charlie Comparetto
Stars: Kelli Berglund, Jake Busey, Olivia Larsen, Nikki Blonsky, Jason James Richter, Royce Johnson, Joseph D’Onofrio, Shiloh Verrico, Maria Olsen, Joah Carmody

Plot

A small town comes under the thumb of Martha, a ghost who returns to haunt the children who witnessed her death during a “game” of Ghost in the Graveyard as young children.