Director: Uli Edel
Writer: Dan Kay (Screenplay) Tim Lebbon (Novel)
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Sarah Wayne Callies, Veronica Ferres, Lyriq Bent, Lauren Beatty, Kalie Hunter, Jack Fulton, Stephen McHattie
Plot: A professor frantically searches for his son who was abducted during a Halloween parade.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Enjoyable Horror Thriller
Story: Pay the Ghost starts when Charlie (Fulton) believes something is outside his window before we meet his parents Kristen (Callies) and Mike (Cage). Mike is an English Professor at a university where he has studied all the great horror literature and its origins. When Halloween comes Mike takes Charlie to a local carnival only for Charlie to see something continue to follow him and disappear right under the nose of Mike.
One year later Mike is still desperately searching for his son while being haunted by what happened as he sees Charlie everywhere he turns. Detective Jordan (Bent) has been doing all he can but when Mike uncovers what has happened he will come up against the unexplained that even the novels he teaches from couldn’t have written.
Pay the Ghost is the type of horror thriller I really enjoy watching, it is the old school ghost haunting so all my thoughts are going to be favourable. We have the haunting moments before the child is taken, we have the desperate parents looking for missing child with them having to go into theories. When it comes to this style of film we find ourselves wondering how this will all end up. I will say the end feels slightly rushed but the fact that is doesn’t go for the lazy twist ending helps this. It really is a film that could be enjoyed if you are the fan of the genre as long as you go in not expecting too much.
Actor Review
Nicolas Cage: Mike Lawford is a successful university professor who is happily married with a young child. His life is turned upside down when in a crowded area his son goes missing. One year later Mike still investigating his missing child stumbles upon a supernatural link to other missing children and must figure out what it all means as he searches for his son. Nicolas gives us a good performance without over playing his character.
Sarah Wayne Callies: Kristen is the wife of Mike who leaves him with their son, after he disappears she tries to continue her own life but comes Halloween she has to work him to final get the answers. Sarah is good but falls into the standard supporting character that doesn’t get enough screen time.
Veronica Ferres: Hannah is one of the professors that is an expert in ancient culture, she is a close friend of Mike, she is important when it comes to offering information on what is happening. Veronica does a solid job but is basically only in this film to put the pieces together in the puzzle that Mike doesn’t quite have.
Lyriq Bent: Jordan is the detective trying to find Charlie and once Mike puts him on the line of investigation of missing children on Halloween he finds himself investigating something he simply can’t explain. Lyriq is good but when it comes to character we find him almost forgotten in the final act.
Support Cast: Pay the Ghost has a supporting cast that offers what is needed for the characters without being too memorable.
Director Review: Uli Edel – Uli gives us well created atmospheric horror thriller that does have a few issues but once you see past them you will enjoy this one.
Horror: Pay the Ghost gives us a well created horror that does have a few jump scares but it also has shock moments.
Thriller: Pay the Ghost keeps us wondering to where this is going throughout.
Settings: Pay the Ghost takes part in New York which puts the horror in a busy city which is fresh for the genre.
Special Effects: Pay the Ghost has a mix of good and bad effects when it comes to the events in the film.
Suggestion: Pay the Ghost is one for the horror fans to try as they will be surprised. (Try It)
Best Part: Ghost visiting Mike.
Worst Part: Certain characters seem pointless.
Believability: No
Chances of Tears: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: A few in the early credits.
Oscar Chances: No
Runtime: 1 Hour 34 Minutes
Tagline: Evil walks among us.
Overall: Surprisingly good horror thriller that keeps us on the edge of our seats throughout.
Rating
