‘A horrifying comedy‘
Ghost Light is a 2018 American dark comedy horror film directed by John Stimpson (The Legend of Lucy Keyes) from a screenplay co-written with producer Geoffrey Taylor.
The movie stars Cary Elwes, Danielle Campbell, Shannyn Sossamon.
Nothing is more sacred to true Shakespearian actors than “The Scottish Play,” which demands a deep reverence to always be exhibited both onstage and off during a performance. Except the reverence from ennui-engulfed Tom Riley is a bit lacking, to say the least. He’s in love with the beautiful Liz Beth, wife of pompous ham Alex Pankhurst.
Liz and Alex are playing—respectively—Lady Macbeth and Macbeth in the small stage production they’re preparing for their local New England theatre. And Liz loves Tom back. Also: Tom wants to play Macbeth. Their underfoot co-stars make it almost impossible to be alone, until Tom decides that the Scottish Curse so oft mentioned by actors is just baloney. That’s when the witches, ghosts and murder-mayhem really get started and Tom, Liz Beth and everyone else, find themselves trapped in a stage play nightmare…
Reviews:
“There are some clever bits in Ghost Light, but Stimpson and co-screenwriter Geoffrey Taylor are more interested in Noises Off-style back-stage gags than really delving into the Bard’s creepy side. One wonders what Liam Gavin and the team behind A Dark Song might have done with this premise. Still, Stimpson & Taylor deserve credit for originality.” J.B. Spins
” …an enjoyable horror/comedy that taught me quite a bit about Shakespeare as well as the curse surrounding Macbeth. Though I could easily see this film not being everyone’s cup of tea, I would still recommend it to those who are looking for a unique horror film that doesn’t just rely on bloodshed and carnage.” Nightmarish Conjurings
“Ghost Light mirrors a forgotten play to film that I love from the early 90’s called Noises Off… which I’ve always thought of as an underrated gem. One of my favorite characters to see in film is a group of thespians playing versions of themselves because they already know the type so well. The tragedy of Macbeth is the perfect setting to let your actors do what they do best, entertain.” Without Your Head
Cast and characters:
Cary Elwes … Alex Pankhurst – Don’t Sleep; A Haunting in Cawdor; Hansel and Gretel Get Baked; Saw; Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Danielle Campbell … Juliet Miller
Shannyn Sossamon … Liz Beth Stevens – Sleepy Hollow TV series; Sinister 2; One Missed Call
Carol Kane … Madeline Styne – Vampirina TV series; Ava’s Possessions; Office Killer; Addams Family Values; Pandemonium; When a Stranger Calls and sequel; The Mafu Cage
Tom Riley … Thomas Ingram – Extinction; Inside No.9; Return to House on Haunted Hill
Roger Bart … Henry Asquith – Bayou Tales; Excision; The Midnight Meat Train; Hostel Part II
Scott Adsit … Archie MacIntosh
Steve Tom … Elliot Wadsworth
Ken Cheeseman … George Pitard
Caroline Portu … Annabel Anderson
Jason Mulcahy … Macduff
Sheldon Best … Troy Mattson
Liliane Klein … Eloise Levesque
Maureen Keiller … Late Eloise
Zele Avradopoulos … Edna Levesque
Nolan Gerard Funk … Jason Palmer
Film Facts:
This movie should not be confused with Ghostlight (2013)
Trailer:
