How would you react if you discovered that your house was haunted? Would you reach for the phone and call the Ghostbusters? Summon a priest to see if they can help? Or would you embrace the idea and try to make friends with the spooky presence? Netflix’s new movie ‘We Have a Ghost’ sees a family dealing with just that issue.
This new supernatural comedy is something of a change of gear for writer/director Christopher Landon, who is better known for the more violent (but still fun and funny) ‘Happy Death Day’ time-twisting films and body-swapping serial killer thriller ‘Freaky’.
Here, he’s drawing inspiration from Geoff Manaugh’s short story, originally published on Vice (read it here), which sees a family discover that, well, they have a ghost.
(L to R) David Harbour as Ernest, Anthony Mackie as Frank, and Jahi Winston as Kevin in ‘We Have A Ghost.’ Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.
To give a little more context, this is the story of Kevin (Jahi Winston), who along with his dad (Anthony Mackie) and mom (Erica Ash), moves into a slightly dilapidated new home that the family sees as a fixer upper in hopes of a fresh start.
But they get more than they bargained for when Kevin discovers a ghost named Ernest (David Harbour) lurking in the attic. Though he can only communicate with the odd grunt, this expressive spirit quickly manages to become part of the family, and they in turn see a chance for viral fame and fortune… But, as always, that comes with downsides.
Not only are their neighbors unhappy with all the media and other attention, but it also draws the likes of the CIA, with a team led by an agent played by Tig Notaro who make it their mission to capture or destroy poor Ernest.
(L to R) Christopher Landon (Director), and Tig Notaro as Dr. Leslie Monroe on the set of ‘We Have A Ghost.’ Photo: Scott Saltzman/Netflix © 2022.
And there’s also the small matter of Kevin and new friend Joy (Isabella Russo) investigating how Ernest died in the first place, which digs up all sorts of new issues.
From the looks of this first trailer, ‘We Have a Ghost’ could well be a lot of fun, Landon channelling the anarchic chaos of his bloodier movies without the need for an R-rating. And it’ll be interesting to see how Harbour brings Ernest to life without much in the way of dialogue.
“David and I talked about how underneath all of the sadness and memory loss, there were still the seeds of a man who was really loving, a little mischievous, and wily,” Landon told Empire of the performance. “I liked this idea that Ernest was this beat-down, tax-accountant-looking kind of guy.”
Plus, who doesn’t love a movie where Jennifer Coolidge shows up in any capacity? Here, she’s a cheesy medium who sees Ernest as a chance to keep earning cash but gets more than she expects.
The cast for this one also includes Faith Ford, Niles Fitch and Steve Coulter and will be on Netflix on February 24th.
Jennifer Coolidge as Judy Romano in ‘We Have A Ghost.’ Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.
(L to R) Anthony Mackie as Frank, and Jennifer Coolidge as Judy Romano in ‘We Have A Ghost.’ Photo: Scott Saltzman/Netflix © 2022.
(L to R) Jahi Winston as Kevin, Isabella Russo as Joy, and David Harbour as Ernest in ‘We Have A Ghost.’ Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.
(L to R) Erica Ash as Melanie, and David Harbour as Ernest in ‘We Have A Ghost.’ Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.
(L to R) Isabella Russo as Joy, Jahi Winston as Kevin, and David Harbour as Ernest in ‘We Have A Ghost.’ Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.
(L to R) Erica Ash as Melanie, Niles Fitch as Fulton, and Jahi Winston as Kevin in ‘We Have A Ghost.’ Courtesy of Netflix © 2022.
(L to R) Anthony Mackie as Frank, Erica Ash as Melanie, Niles Fitch as Fulton, and Jahi Winston as Kevin in ‘We Have A Ghost.’ Photo: Scott Saltzman/Netflix © 2022.
(L to R) Isabella Russo as Joy, Jahi Winston as Kevin, Christopher Landon (Director), and David Harbour as Ernest on the set of ‘We Have A Ghost.’ Photo: Scott Saltzman/Netflix © 2022.
