“We Have a Ghost” Movie Review

 

“We Have a Ghost”

Movie Review

 

We Have a Ghost, a 2023 movie starring David Harbour, Jahi Winston, Tig Notaro, Jennifer Coolidge, and Anthony Mackie and based on the short tale "Ernest" by Geoff Manaugh, was directed by Christopher Landon.

 

According to the movie's plot, the Presleys are shown a house one year after the previous occupants fled in fear. The estate agent asserts that prices have recently been low, raising suspicions about the low price.

 

The first night, Kevin, the youngest, goes to the attic to look into a noise. A ghost emerges from his phone's light. He disappears after failing to frighten Kevin and instead receiving a laugh.

 

Kevin goes back to the attic and takes a seat to converse with the ghost. He is unable to speak and has no memory of his past. Since Ernest is the name on his bowling shirt, Kevin calls him by that name. Fulton, Kevin's older brother, suddenly interrupts. Ernest supports Kevin while he is being bullied for his phone.

 

Fulton reveals to their father Frank that their new house is haunted by a ghost after discovering a video Kevin had taken of Ernest when he first saw him. After convincing Mel, the ghost's mother, that they could earn money off of him, Frank starts a YouTube channel, collects additional footage of the ghost, and makes the ghost and his family well-known online.

 

Kevin and Joy, the neighbor, meet in high school. His dwelling is referred to as the "house of doom" by her. When they run into each other in the library after Ernest's viral video goes viral, Joy learns that Ernest S., the home's owner, resided there from 1965 to 1971 but has since moved on.

 

The cable TV service in West Bay Judy Romano arrives to see Ernest in the movie. To make himself seem scarier, Kevin plays him various horror movies. Ernest doesn't take long to startle Judy and the rest of her team; she immediately jumps out the window in fear. A record-breaking amount of people share the madam's reaction post online.

 

Joy persuades Kevin that they should take Ernest to a tavern that used to be owned by the previous owner of the house in an effort to revive his memory. They begin to learn more about Ernest's past after finding a picture of him with the former owner of the property, after which he develops a fixation with a young blonde girl in the park.

 

But when Dr. Leslie Monroe sees Frank and Mel, she discusses a former CIA program she was involved with. The name was Wizard Clip, and its objective was to capture a ghost. She was made the scapegoat when the public learned how much the program had cost. Frank ejects her after she tries to persuade them that Ernest is dangerous.

 

The CIA gets involved after a viral video of Ernest and the girl in the park becomes viral. They enter the Presley residence, but Kevin, Joy, and Ernest have already departed for Oklahoma in search of the previous owner. The Presleys are forced to make an appeal to find the group the following morning. They escape the numerous police cruisers pursuing them as the program appears on a convenience shop TV.

 

As he gets to the Oklahoma home, the man begins to tell the tale of Randy or Ernest, who, in his words, turned into a drinker because he was unable to deal with the death of his wife during childbirth. He vanished after leaving his daughter, who is four, with them. When Ernest becomes evident, the CIA moves in.

 

Kevin is depressed at home. Frank apologizes to him for having been selfish at the expense of the family. Kevin is also told that he is a far better man than he is by him.

 

An aggressive agent working at the CIA facility is sporting a pin that brings back memories. While he killed his old friend with a blow to the head, June was dragged away by his old friend's wife. Ernest is being punished for disobeying, but Dr. Monroe aids him because they had a wonderful conversation earlier and she can tell he's a good guy. Ernest S., thinking Kevin is helping the ghost Ernest avenge himself, arrives at the house to kill him. As Ernest and Frank tackle him out the window in the attic after being pursued by him, he does so.

 

In search of Ernest the ghost, the CIA questions Kevin. He doesn't say anything, but a flashback shows that Kevin and Frank helped him reconnect with his daughter June, who is now more than 50 years old. Ernest leaves contented at having found serenity at last.

 

The Presley family will relocate once more, but this time only a short distance away. Joy and Kevin are now dating.

We Have a Ghost is still a good choice for family movie night because of the artistry and performances, but director Landon's film will be best remembered for its numerous belly-laugh-inducing set pieces.

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