The following review was originally published during the film’s theatrical release.

Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson make movies for the heart, not in sentimental or surface-level ways, but in a way that truly considers the complexity of emotions that pulse through all of us. In their feature debut, Saint Frances, the pair tackled the “directionless protagonist finds purpose in unexpected places” subgenre with all the grace and nuance that made it an instant classic. The script found emotionally honest ways to tackle complicated issues in a way you can only find outside of the studio system. The duo planned to scale up with a follow-up project that was waylaid by the strikes last year. While we still long to see that project, this was somewhat of a blessing in disguise now that we have Ghostlight, an intimate project that makes you feel alive with all of the beauty and pain that life has to offer.

We don’t think much when we first meet Dan Mueller (Keith Kupferer), a nondescript construction worker who only steals a bit of attention when his temper rightly flares up after nearly getting hit on the job by a careless driver. We start to get a bit more insight into the man behind the safety vest when he is called to the school of his 15-year-old daughter, Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer), for disciplinary reasons. While not uncaring, this stoic man takes a slight backseat to his wife, Sharon (Tara Mallen), an educator herself, when talking to the principal (a familiar face for Saint Frances fans). There is an underlying tension throughout this early part of the movie that manifests most frankly in the youthful Daisy. It would be understandable if her oversized emotions felt a bit intense for the audience at first, but as more is revealed, you realize she is incapable of putting up the walls found elsewhere in her household.

This is a family plagued by a cryptic tragedy that the audience discovers in gentle waves of information rather than a clumsy exposition dump. O’Sullivan is the mastermind behind the script once again, and her delicate touch never misses a beat. Simple moments such as Dan quietly expressing the sadness of watching “murder shows” reveal so much about his character. This on-screen family is portrayed by a real-life family, which lends a familiarity to these characters that aids in your emotional investment despite the chilly circumstances.

The table setting quickly gives way to the primary story when Dan is coaxed into joining a community theater group by the spirited Rita (Dolly De Leon, Triangle of Sadness) following another public temper flare-up. Dan is completely out of his depth, and it is actually believable that this particular character would not be familiar with Romeo & Juliet, which they are rehearsing. He is a man holding so much pain just under the surface, and, as Rita deftly deduces, he seems like he “might want to be someone else for a while.”

Thompson and O’Sullivan explore many different themes to great effect through this journey of catharsis. The world lost so much with the global reckoning that was the recent pandemic, perhaps most of all the idea of unbridled connection. The act of live theater is thrilling for lovers of art, but it goes beyond that. Through weeks of practicing and breaking down walls, the performers solidify a connection that transcends simple explanations. To create with and trust one another is an act of vulnerability that does not come naturally to Dan.

We see throughout the film that Dan sets the mood of the homefront, and he refuses to engage with his feelings even when asked to come to Daisy’s therapy session. However, when he steps out of “reality” and into the world of fantasy on stage, he eventually reveals the details of his trauma to his new cohorts. It is a moment of exceptional acting from Keith Kupferer, but it is the response from his found family that creates a stunning moment of true compassion. The film does not hold your hand when it comes to the titular ghostlight, but this tradition of theater rightly complements this story of having a space where darkness will never completely consume you.

As much as Dan’s story is front and center, the movie rightfully ensures that the supporting players are as well-rounded as can be. Dolly De Leon’s Rita especially speaks to us with her precise balance of punch-you-in-the-face fearlessness and sadness from a life unfulfilled. Rita is a great actress with experience on a professional stage, but she is a classic case of someone who never broke through. In the comfort of community theater, she is finally able to play the role of Juliet that she always dreamed of playing as an ingenue herself. We get effective glimpses into her insecurities during the rehearsal process, but Dan attempts to echo the support he receives when possible.

It is gratifying to see the impact that theater has on Dan similarly experienced by Daisy. The teenager was already a devotee of the stage previously, but she had lost her spark for it as her family plunged into darkness. Seeing this spark reignite in a different context is just as impactful as seeing it work for her father. Yet, the unsung hero of the film is family matriarch Sharon. Out of the main characters, she is given the least to do thanks to Dan’s foolish decision to hide his new extracurricular activities from his family for too long. When she is present, though, she is a vital piece of the puzzle. She is a loving wife, but a key line from her late in the film completely saves this feature from being an unchallenging crowdpleaser. Leave it to Kelly O’Sullivan to bring attention to the emotional labor women have to undertake for men. It doesn’t take the wind out of the sails of the movie; it helps it flow to another level of excellence.

Video Quality

Ghostlight comes to Blu-Ray in a fetching 1080p presentation that brings the feature to life without a hiccup. The film provides a comfortable aura to the color palette which saturates the screen perfectly in high definition. There are a number of hues in the background that impress with the depth of the shade. The transfer reveals texture within the clothing and production design that adds valuable depth to the picture. Skin tones are detailed and natural throughout the ensemble. Highlights are handled with care with no indication of blooming, and the black levels are deep and do not suffer from any crush or compression artifacts. The transfer handles every aspect with the utmost care. IFC Films has done a terrific job with this release.

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray disc comes with a very good DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track that easily translates this story. The sound design is very gentle given the narrative demands, but the sounds conjure a world that has a distinct personality. Dialogue comes through crisp and clear without ever being overwhelmed by competing sounds. Environmental flourishes expand the soundscape to give the world some unique qualities. The score flows through the room with a consistent fidelity. The story does not require a load of activity in the low end, but there is subtle texture in a few moments. The audio experience delivers on all fronts. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: Writer/co-director Kelly O’Sullivan and co-director Alex Thompson provide an informative commentary track in which they delve into the production, working with the performers, the shooting locations, how they secured different pieces of the production design, challenges faced during the shoot, and more.

Deleted, Alternate & Extended Scenes: There is a 21-minute collection of unused footage provided that yields some interesting moments.

Actor Auditions: An 11-minute collection of audition footage is provided for some of the minor characters.

Gag Reel (5:30)

Original Trailer (2:19)

Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring an essay from film critic Marya Gates is provided that delves into the background of the filmmakers and the performers, the themes, and more.

Final Thoughts

Ghostlight is one of the most rewarding narratives to be released in the last few years. The delicate handling of grief and revitalization allows you to feel the full weight of the emotions at play, yet it does not leave you alone to be consumed by darkness. There is an indelible sense of hope within these characters, even in their darkest moments. The performers bringing them to life are incredibly talented, and they are guided along by the dynamite team of Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson. You only get a couple of movies a year like Ghostlight, if you are lucky, and you should cherish them when you do. IFC Films has released a Blu-Ray featuring a great A/V presentation and some nice special features. Recommended

Ghostlight is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome/OCN Distribution.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: IFC Films & OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.