We Have a Ghost Review

Christopher Landon’s We Have a Ghost blends comedy, horror, and heartfelt family drama into a quirky supernatural tale. While it shines in moments of charm and levity, the film struggles under its bloated runtime and inconsistent tone, making it a mixed bag of family-friendly entertainment.

The story begins as the Presley family moves into a dilapidated Chicago home, only to discover it’s haunted by Ernest (David Harbour), a ghost who has been scaring away tenants for decades. Instead of fleeing, teenage Kevin (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) befriends Ernest and uploads videos of him online, turning the ghost into an internet sensation. What follows is a whirlwind of viral fame, family bonding, and a mysterious quest to uncover the truth about Ernest’s death.

David Harbour’s performance as the silent, misunderstood Ernest is a standout. Despite having no dialogue, Harbour’s expressive presence brings depth and humor to the character, avoiding over-the-top antics in favor of genuine pathos. Jahi Di’Allo Winston also impresses as Kevin, whose warm rapport with Ernest anchors the film’s emotional core. The father-son dynamic between Kevin and Anthony Mackie’s Frank adds further layers to the narrative, showcasing themes of trust, disappointment, and redemption.

Landon’s direction shines brightest in comedic and spooky moments. Scenes such as Ernest haunting a TV production crew or a clever cameo by Jennifer Coolidge as a hilariously inept medium provide laugh-out-loud moments. Isabella Russo, as Kevin’s neighbor Joy, steals scenes with her vibrant energy, and Tig Notaro adds comedic weight as a paranormal scientist, though her subplot with the CIA feels underdeveloped and unnecessary.

The film’s primary misstep lies in its pacing. At over two hours, We Have a Ghost overstays its welcome, with a convoluted midsection and an overly sentimental conclusion that drags through multiple endings. The narrative veers between tones — part haunted house comedy, part whodunit mystery, part family drama — and never quite settles on what it wants to be.

While We Have a Ghost aims for heartfelt poignancy, it often lacks the bite and focus of Landon’s previous hits like Happy Death Day or Freaky. The themes of grief, family, and self-discovery feel genuine but are weighed down by repetitive storytelling and a reliance on tropes borrowed from better films like Ghostbusters and E.T.

That said, We Have a Ghost is not without its charms. It’s a fun, spooky film that families can enjoy together, particularly during Halloween season. The relationship between Kevin and Ernest, as well as the film’s moments of humor and sincerity, offer enough to entertain without demanding much from its audience.

We Have a Ghost is a pleasant, if flawed, Netflix offering. It may not become a classic of the horror-comedy genre, but its mix of heart and humor makes it worth a watch — just don’t expect it to haunt you long after the credits roll.