Netflix family horror comedy has spirit We have a ghost, but it’s not the pantomime poltergeist mentioned in its title. Rather, these are past films of the writer-director Christopher Landon it feels like they are hovering over his last ones. happy death day, Happy Death Day 2UAnd bizarre all were darker horror films that, while imperfect, felt like they were playing with some pretty creative components. Everyone was aware of their genre in a way that allowed for slightly referential jokes that were both funny and horrifying, and also worked like films that stood on their own. There are times when the same spirit seems to take over We have a ghost, but it’s hidden in a much more standard story. He is never as cocky or frustrated as he should be, instead he exists in a strangely safe in-between state where he never makes the extra jump he needs. While slightly better than other similar offerings on the streamer, it still lacks the crazy energy or genre panache we’ve seen in Landon’s later films. This is the greatest shame of all this, as it is not without some pleasure, but it seems to be constantly kept from being truly released.

It all starts with the fact that the Presley family moves to a new home in Chicago. The introductory honer shows that something supernatural is hiding inside, which expelled the former inhabitants. Unaware of this, the insidious patriarch Frank (Anthony Mackie) and his more skeptical wife Melanie (Erica Ash) to move his family to this paranormal abode. That’s where KevinJahi Di’Allo Winston) reveals the mostly silent ghost of Ernest (David Harbor) is hiding in the attic. Initially surprised, he whips out his phone and films a lone spirit trying to scare him. brother of Kevin FultonNiles Fitch), then discovers this video, soon followed by Frank, who wants to turn Ernest into a content machine that will bring them fame and fortune.

The only person who is willing to help Kevin figure out what to do with Ernest is his new girlfriend and classmate Joy (Isabella Russo), who feels she hasn’t been given as much material to work with despite bringing a lot of sting to the story. Although it is taken from a rather simple but more poignant story “Ernest” Jeff Mano similarly looking at how the wide world soon reacts to the ghost, the film also stretches the narrative in its own goofy and sentimental directions over a two-hour run. Unfortunately, it’s a job that seems more like a “one for them” project than one that sparks a lot of passion in and of itself. It is hoped that this will lead to Landon getting a chance to return to making more unrestrained films that are allowed to more fully embrace darker absurdity.

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Image via Netflix

With all of this, no one ever feels like they’re on the phone, as is often the case with films like this. In addition to the main cast, there are other funny characters that pop up all over the place. There is a short sequence with always large Jennifer Coolidge playing a chaotic internet environment that comes to Presley’s house to make Ernest part of her show, but gets more than she bargained for. Then there’s the awesome Tig Notaro almost sarcastically playing some kind of paranormal scientist who also has ties to the CIA, which can create problems for the main characters. The movie doesn’t take it too seriously at first, until suddenly it does, which makes the humor start to seem forced due to the artificial sentimentality that runs through everything. Where the emotional rhythms of Landon’s previous films seemed more natural and usually served the silly, We have a ghost seems morbidly forced, like the more unimaginative horror comedies that came before it.

There are many mysteries, car chases and other shenanigans that can keep young viewers entertained. However, those hoping for something more than Landon’s previous work will likely be disappointed as it becomes restricted by convention rather than being flaunted. Even when something seems wild on paper, like when Harbor as a ghost throws himself through walls or crashes into speeding cars, there is just the slightest spark of fun in it. As these moments become more and more fleeting, even seemingly truncated due to the fact that they are haphazardly sliced, they almost fade away.

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Image via Netflix

All this makes for a strange experiment with competing views, as the source material, while not devoid of humour, was much more focused on deeper themes than the farcical spectacle that this one is. Make no mistake, it will always be a classic to see an invisible being manipulating matter and throwing things around. There is simply no creativity in how these sequences are actually constructed. Anyway, once the characters hit the road about halfway through, it starts to feel like the movie is running out of ideas for what they can do.

The main problem is that its best assets seem to come from the much more successful horror comedies of the past. Either beetle juicewhich is briefly mentioned in one place, or lesser-known works such as the 2019 thrilling movie. unusual, there is so much that has made it infinitely better. This dull experience lacks wit and charm, which marks its downfall when it turns to saccharin. While it won’t be one of the worst horror comedies to come out this year, it’s also destined to fade from memory once you’ve finished it. No matter how many disjointed chuckles you get from some of his talented comedic performances, there will be just as many moments that cringe at the social media portrayal or leave a hollow feeling at its empty conclusion. It’s hard to ever get too mad about it, but it’s a job that still proves to be disappointing. Not wacky enough to be a successful comedy, not smart enough to be a horror movie We have a ghost it’s a movie that you can’t get a hold of, as it all just slips through your fingers.

Rating: WITH

We have a ghost Available to stream on Netflix starting February 24th.