In the early moments of Ghostlight, a heartfelt dramedy by filmmakers Alex Thompson and Kelly O’Sullivan, we find ourselves in a living room where characters are watching Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film Romeo + Juliet. The young daughter, Daisy (played by Katherine Mallen Kupferer), humorously observes how much Leonardo DiCaprio has changed since the film’s release, while her father, Dan (Keith Kupferer), subtly attempts to grasp the play’s core meaning. Dan’s newfound interest in Shakespeare stems from his unexpected involvement in a local production of Romeo and Juliet, a secret he’s keeping from his family.
The scene, both tender and amusing, not only captures a rare peaceful moment in a family facing turbulent times but also hints at the film’s central themes. Ghostlight explores the relevance of William Shakespeare’s work in the present day, pondering whether art retains a timeless, even healing value that modern society risks losing. If life is indeed a stage, what role do we now play?
These core ideas set Ghostlight apart from the many contemporary adaptations of Romeo and Juliet we’ve seen over the years. Although not a direct adaptation, the film engages with weighty themes from the original play, particularly those surrounding mortality and loss. These themes are reflected through the life of Dan, a lonely working-class man, and his Chicago-based family, as they navigate the aftermath of a recent tragedy.
While nothing can undo their loss, the family struggles to process their grief, finding it difficult even to speak about it. The way art begins to mirror their lives could have easily come across as contrived in less skilled hands, but Ghostlight handles these revelations with a subtlety that ensures everything coheres beautifully. The film wears its emotions openly and earns each one, resulting in a poignant blend of performance and reality. Despite moments where the narrative risks becoming overly sentimental or slightly clunky, the strength of the performances makes the film a production worth applauding by its conclusion.
Ghostlight
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Synopsis: A construction worker unexpectedly joins a local theater’s production of Romeo and Juliet, only to find that the drama on stage starts to mirror his own life.
Release Date: January 18, 2024
Directors: Kelly O’Sullivan, Alex Thompson
Cast: Dolly de Leon, Katherine Mallen Kupferer, Keith Kupferer, Tara Mallen
Runtime: 110 minutes
Main Genre: Drama
Writer: Kelly O’Sullivan
What Is ‘Ghostlight’ About?
The story begins with Dan starting his day as usual, heading to his construction job. However, his routine is interrupted when he and his wife, Sharon (Tara Mallen), are called to their daughter Daisy’s school, where she’s in trouble for allegedly pushing a teacher. It’s the latest in a series of behavioral issues she’s been facing. Dan and Sharon clearly want to support Daisy, but they are burdened by their own unresolved grief, hinted at through allusions to a recent tragedy.
The family is also preparing for a legal deposition, which seems to be bringing all their pain to the surface. Dan, who struggles to keep his emotions in check, even resorts to confronting a man in traffic after being honked at. Amidst this turmoil, Dan meets Rita (Dolly de Leon), who is involved in a local theater’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Though Dan has never been interested in acting, despite enjoying watching Daisy’s performances, he unexpectedly finds solace and a sense of connection when he takes on a significant role in the play.
While Ghostlight may not reach the poetic heights of a film like Perfect Days, it asks similar fundamental questions about the role of art in modern life. The story itself often follows more conventional beats, occasionally undercutting its emotional impact by spelling out its ideas too clearly. There are also a few less effective comedic moments, particularly those that satirize actors’ pretentiousness—territory that has been explored more successfully in the series Barry.
However, once Ghostlight moves past these minor missteps, it finds its rhythm. The film evokes memories of Good Will Hunting in its reflections on therapy and even nods to Aftersun through its use of music. Yet, the most compelling aspects of Ghostlight are the ways the themes of Romeo and Juliet intertwine with the lives of Dan and his family. Although Dan gradually becomes aware of this connection, it takes him time to articulate his emotions, leading to some humorous misunderstandings. However, the film’s greatest strengths emerge when everything comes to light.
‘Ghostlight’: A Genuine Exploration of Trauma
Unlike many modern films that handle trauma in a way that feels forced or superficial, Ghostlight offers a more authentic portrayal. Dan’s involvement in the play stems from his inability to express his feelings outside of it; the scripted words provide him with the language he needs. Even when other emotional moments in the film feel slightly contrived, this central narrative thread finds all the right notes.
The journey is anything but easy, and we witness Dan’s buried pain surface in harmful ways. This is the reality of trauma—it doesn’t always manifest in grand, articulate declarations. Instead, it’s a messy process of searching for meaning in the midst of chaos. Like a well-executed theatrical production, Ghostlight is both charming and chaotic, offering a cathartic experience that sends viewers back into the world with a renewed understanding of their own lives.
