Saturday, 7 June 2025

Movie Review: Ghosts Of War (2020)


Genre: Supernatural War Horror  
Director: Eric Bress  
Starring: Brenton Thwaites, Kyle Gallner, Alan Ritchson  
Running Time: 94 minutes  

Synopsis: The setting is France in 1944 during World War Two. Five battle-hardened US soldiers are tasked with holding a chateau that was used by the Nazi high command. Once they settle in, the soldiers are exposed to eerie sounds and disturbing visions. They find a diary that details the slaughter of the original occupant family, and conclude the mansion is haunted. The soldiers have to either confront the horror within or risk the consequences of abandoning their post. 

What Works Well: The echoes of unique World War Two movies like Castle Keep are initially promising, and a few good moments emerge from the grim dichotomy of soldiers killing with ruthlessness but yet still possessing a caring spirit. Some of the jump scares provide adequate out-of-your seat thrills, while Kyle Gallner as the frequently unhinged Private Tappert adds a different element of danger.

What Does Not Work As Well: The middle acts gets stuck in horror movie cliches, but much worse is to come: in an astounding and immediately erroneous sharp turn, the final act barges into a whole other premise then implodes into an incoherent mess of suspect science, ancient curses, and occult invasions. 

Key Quote:
Private Tappert: This place is bad juju.



All Ace Black Movie Blog reviews are here.

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