Cast
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Jessica Lee Rose
as Chloe
Randy Wayne
as Carl
Gil Gerard
as Preacher McCready
Billy Drago
as Reb Halland
Annabelle Wallis
as Serena
Elize du Toit
as Rachel
Joey Ansah
as Bonesera
Cian Barry
as Dale
Vlado Mihailov
as Goodman
Alexander Nikolov
as Josh
Nikolai Nikolov
as Harvey
Erbi Ago
as Stuart
Chris Thompson
as Bill
Todd Jensen
as Jackson
Crew
Director
- Todor Chapkanov
Writer
- Andy Briggs
Producer
- Jeffery Beach
- Phillip J. Roth
Reviews
John Chard
The other Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
After their bus mysteriously gets lost, a bunch of college kids find themselves trapped in a Wild West Ghost Town inhabited by evil spirits.
Not awful by any means, as these budgeted TV productions go, it has some inventive death scenes (death by gasoline vomit a personal favourite here), Billy Drago as a venomous Cowboy spirit and some canted angles used for good atmospheric impact. Hell! The blending of maths stars and jocks, which while not original, makes for an interesting group dynamic and lets the writer (Andy Briggs) set up a decent finale as the remaining youngsters try to work out a way out of hell by using brain and brawn.
Unfortunately director Todor Chapkanov seems to think that jitterycam is the way to go at every given opportunity, something which really hinders the atmosphere trying to get out. Then there is the MTV “R” US musical score/soundtrack that booms out inappropriately like proof was needed that noise does indeed annoy. While the town itself looks like some left over mock up from an American Adventure Theme Park.
Filmed in Sofia, Bulgaria, it ultimately comes down to a bunch of pretty looking college kids (one of whom looks like Vin Diesel) getting killed amid angst, bullying and sexual yearnings. But like the characters in the story, the film seems stuck in a filmic purgatory, not really sure if it wants to slash, spook or yeehaw its way into our conscious. But as Syfy Channel time wasters go it just about passes muster. 4/10
Nov 4, 2013
Thematic Analysis
This Horror/Western/Science Fiction film explores themes of fear and survival, delving into the psychological aspects of human nature when confronted with the unknown. Ghost Town presents a unique perspective on the horror genre by focusing on the psychological terror rather than relying on typical jump scares.
Director Todor Chapkanov brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2009, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Ghost Town took approximately 29 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 85 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 128 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The film contains approximately 1916 individual shots.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2009, when this film is released:
- Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
- The September 11 attacks changed global security and politics.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: October 24, 2009
- Runtime: 1h 25m
Where to Watch
