Sightlines · reception

How Ghost Stories was received

2018 · Andy Nyman · Ghost Stories on Sightlines

The arc

It got warm reviews and did modest business in 2018, then picked up a steady second life on streaming as a sharp, old-fashioned British scare machine. It's the kind of film people stumble on and then push on their friends.

What’s debated

The final act splits people: some call it a brilliant rug-pull that recasts everything before it, others call it a cheat that drains the scares from three strong stories.

Its footprint

It comes from Nyman and Jeremy Dyson's hit stage play, whose 'keep the secrets' campaign and tales of audience members screaming and fainting made it a West End legend before the film existed.

Where it stands

A cult favorite among modern British horror fans and a go-to pick for anyone hunting for a recent portmanteau film in the old Amicus style.

Did you know? Andy Nyman co-directed with Jeremy Dyson of The League of Gentlemen, and he plays Professor Goodman, the same role he originated in their stage version.

Named by the director

• Dead of Night (1945) — Nyman and Dyson have repeatedly named Ealing's portmanteau classic as the model for the story-within-a-story structure of the play and the film.