Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson craft a film that’s greater then the sum of its parts
They don’t make them like they used to. An old adage that you can apply to pretty much everything these days, but in this instance, it’s for horror films. Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson took it upon themselves to reach back and pay tribute to the Amicus Productions of the 60s, a series of portmanteau anthology films, each weaving together tales to send a chill down the spine with some of the best talent of the age. What started as a successful stage show was translated onto the big screen, and thanks to Shout! Factory is now available to watch from behind a cushion in the comfort of your own home.
Synopsis:
A debunker of all things paranormal, Professor Goodman (Andy Nyman, Black Death) has devoted his life to exposing phony psychics and fraudulent supernatural shenanigans. His skepticism is tested, however, when he receives a case file on three chilling and inexplicable incidents: a night watchman (Paul Whitehouse, Corpse Bride) haunted by disturbing visions as he patrols an abandoned asylum; an edgy young man (Alex Lawther, Freak Show) involved in a hellish car accident deep in the woods; and a wealthy former banker (Martin Freeman, Sherlock, Black Panther) visited by the spirit of his unborn child. Even more disturbing is that each of these macabre stories seems to have a sinister connection to Professor Goodman’s own life. Will they make a believer of him yet?debut Sept. 4th from Scream Factory.
Nyman is a writer, actor, and magician, while Dyson is a writer perhaps best known for being a co-creator of The League of Gentlemen, think Monty Python meets The Wicker Man. Nyman plays the lead here, a professional paranormal debunker named Philip Goodman. He brings rationalism and science to explain unusual phenomena and expose frauds. While on his arrogant crusade, Charles Cameron (Leonard Byrne) a former idol and inspiration of his turns up suddenly with a change of heart. Now a believer in the paranormal, he challenges Goodman to investigate three individuals and their mysteries. Security guard Tony (Paul Whitehouse, The Death of Stalin) who has seen terrifying things during his nightshifts watching a derelict hospital, young Simon (Alex Lawther, The End of the F*cking World) who is plagued by satanic imagery after an unusual encounter in the woods one night, and finally and financial trader Mike (Martin Freeman, The Office, the good one) who is tormented by an apparition when preparing for the birth of his first child. Philip visits each in turn and is told their tales, an experience that makes him question everything he knows while dredging up demons from his own past too.
In the classic style, Ghost Stories is a horror anthology where three separate stories that are regaled to the protagonist in flashback form end up fitting together to craft a bigger tale. Little clues and connections are dotted throughout befitting Goodhead’s investigation, but this bigger picture doesn’t detract from the individuality of these tales and characters as Ghost Stories uses the genre to plunge into the psyche of these people. The film drips with an unearthly, malevolent atmosphere, which combined with these introspective stories give it a fable like quality. The horror aspect is further enhanced by impressive sounds design and effectively executed jump scares, with jarring imagery and shocking moments aplenty.
Perhaps the biggest strength comes from it’s cast, a quartet of well known British character actors, some less well known on these shores, but each adding solidity and nuance to flesh these people out. Whitehouse brings a genuine working class grit while Lawther continues to be an unnerving presence. Freeman is perhaps the most familar to American viewers, bringing a nonchalant approach to the material with a disturbing undercurrent (perhaps echoing his work in The World’s End). While the cast is noticeably dominated by men, there is method to such choices, as the film is geared towards breaking down male arrogance and bravado, notably that of Nyman’s Professor Goodman. His journey wraps around these solid little tales, elevating the whole endeavor, delving deeper into his past, his beliefs, and his presumptions. It’s a very well constructed piece, each vignette offering variety and texture, but they all come together to shape an arc and ending for Goodman that stays with you.
The Package
Ghost Stories is a very atmospheric film and the transfer here captures much of it’s menace. Detail is good, as is texture and contrast, with blacks being dee and colors hewing to a natural, if blueish palette.
Extras are sadly very light, with just a trailer included. Details on the adaptation from stage to screen and a commentary from Nyman and Dyson would have been a no brainer to add in here.
The Bottom Line
To those familiar with such films, Ghost Stories is something of a welcome throwback, but one that undeniably feels fresh. It’s effective as a horror story, and even more so as a psychological look at these tortured men. With a distinct tone, portentous cinematography and production design, it’s an effort very much worth seeking out.
Ghost Stories is available via Shout! Factory now.
About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Studios, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.