A Ghost Waits – Arrow Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 2020
Director: Adam Stovall
Writers: MacLeod Andrews, Adam Stovall, Matt Taylor
Cast: MacLeod Andrews, Natalie Walker, Sydney Vollmer, Amanda Miller

Release Date: May 3rd, 2021 (UK), May 4th, 2021 (USA)
Approximate Running Time: 85 Minutes 52 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK), NR (USA)
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region A,B
Retail Price: £24.99 (UK), $39.95 (USA)

"Tasked with renovating a neglected rental home, handyman Jack (MacLeod Andrews, They Look Like People, Doctor Sleep) quickly finds out why the tenants keep leaving in droves - this house is haunted. The ghost in question is Muriel (Natalie Walker), herself employed from beyond the veil to keep the home vacant. Against the odds, Jack and Muriel find they have a lot in common... pulse notwithstanding. Having found a kindred spirit in an otherwise lonely existence, they must fight for their newfound affection as pressure mounts for them each to fulfil their "cross-purposes"." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, “The High Definition master was provided by the filmmakers”,

A Ghost Waits comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 38.5 GB

Feature: 22.9 GB

Shot on digital, the source used for this transfer looks great. Contrast, black levels and image clarity look solid.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a LPCM stereo mix in English and included with this release are removable English SDH subtitles. The audio sounds clear and balanced throughout.

Extras:

Extras for this release include reversible cover art, an image gallery, a trailer for A Ghost Waits (2 minutes 25 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), outtakes (12 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Frightfest Glasgow 2020: interview (10 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles) and post-film Q&A (13 minutes 46 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Cast & Crew Interviews: actor/producer/writer/sound design MacLeod Andrews (21 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), executive producer Deborah Parag (7 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), executive producer M.F. Thomas (11 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), director of photography Michael C. Potter (13 minutes 25 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), actress Sydney Vollmer (11 minutes 42 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), composer/co-lyricsit Margaret Darling  (8 minutes 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), composer Mitch Bain (9 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and director/writer/producer/etc Adam Stovall (29 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), video essay by film historian Isabel Custodio titled Humanity and the Afterlife in A Ghost Waits (15 minutes 11 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), three audio commentaries: the first audio commentary is with Adam Stovall, the second audio commentary is with Adam Stovall and MacLeod Andrews, and the third audio commentary is with Adam Stovall, Michael C. Potter, MacLeod Andrews, and Sydney Vollmer, a limited-edition slipcover and a limited first pressing twenty-four-page booklet with cast & crew information, an essay titled Worked to Death(and Beyond): A Ghost Waits in a Capitalist World written by Craig Ian Mann and information about the transfer.

Summary:

Though many films have tried to mix horror and humor. Most horror/comedy hybrids come up short because they force humor instead of letting it evolve organically within the narrative. With examples of films that successfully mix horror and humor being few and far between.

A Ghost Waits is a good example of why one should not judge a book by its cover. Though the trailer and synopsis give a good idea of what to expect. The result is a film that often surprises and exceeds expectations.

From a production standpoint, there’s not an area where A Ghost Waits comes up short. The premise is superbly realized and the narrative is a satisfying mix of humor, horror, and romance. Also, the two leads MacLeod Andrews and Natalie Walkerare very good in their respective roles.

A Ghost Waits gets an exceptional release from Arrow Video, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer