Ghostlight Review: An Emotional, Gorgeously Told Story That Balances Heart, Humor & Grief

Ghostlight, which initially played the 2024 Sundance Film Festival before heading to SXSW, is one of those films that’s difficult to forget. I sat with it long after the credits had rolled because of how beautifully and coherently crafted it is. Directors Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, working from a script written by O’Sullivan, weave together an intimate, captivating, and moving story that will bring you to tears at various points throughout. Ghostlight bridges the gap between art and reality, blending a poignant narrative that aims to better understand a loved one and the expression of grief.

Ghostlight Masterfully Tells A Tender, Deep Story

Ghostlight doesn’t hit us with information all at once. We simply know that Dan (Keith Kupferer), along with wife Sharon (Tara Mallen) and teen daughter Daisy (Katherine Mallen Kupferer), are grieving the loss of their son/brother, who died a year prior. Dan struggles to talk about his grief, while Daisy acts out at school and Sharon works to keep the family together despite a looming deposition that threatens to reopen old wounds. The drama could’ve easily stuck to the path of healing, but decides to intertwine art as an outlet for grief and togetherness — and it does so successfully.

O’Sullivan and Thompson’s film is deeply melancholy, but can also be quite funny. The filmmakers understand that life, even when grief follows us around like a shadow, can be filled with lovely, humorous moments that bring the sparkle back to one’s eyes — even if it’s only for a little while. In Ghostlight, Dan evades his trauma, allowing his anger to bubble to the surface in different ways, such as when he takes out his frustration on a driver who aggressively passes through his construction area and leaves Dan on shaky ground at work.

He’s also embarrassed about joining a small production of Romeo & Juliet, encouraged by the spirited Rita (Dolly De Leon), who plays Juliet and sees Dan’s potential. The play begins to mirror Dan’s life in a myriad of ways, but it also gives him the space to lose himself in a role that he doesn’t fully understand and forces him to address his feelings. To that end, Ghostlight cleverly and masterfully balances Dan’s role in the play with his family dynamics, all while quietly developing the character so that the payoff is visceral, magnificently merging every aspect of the story.

Ghostlight’s Cast Is Exceptional

Ghostlight is a family affair in the realest sense, as Keith Kupferer is joined by his real-life wife and daughter. It lends even more authenticity to an already affecting film. Kupferer is excellent in an emotionally heavy role. He wears his heart on his sleeve while showcasing Dan’s internal struggles, all of which can be seen in his bubbling rage and inability to communicate.

Mallen is equally up to the task of delivering a standout performance despite having less to do. Her Sharon is barely holding on, and her attempt to hold her family together comes at a personal cost. There’s a particularly devastating scene near the end of Ghostlight that truly paints a picture of everything she’s been feeling, and Mallen really goes for it, highlighting the heartbreak in every word. Mallen Kupferer’s Daisy balances her parents’ portrayals, bringing tragic emotion and off-the-wall energy and humor to the role. Meanwhile, De Leon utterly shines as Rita, full of gumption and empathy.

I could go on and on about how good Ghostlight is, but the short of it is that it’s a must-see film. The emotion of it all took me entirely by surprise, and O’Sullivan and Thompson make it very easy to dive right into the heart of the film, as there’s an instant connection with the characters. The themes are heavy and it tackles a sensitive topic with grace and ease, but it doesn’t shy away from humor, either. It’s nothing short of masterful, magnetic, and heartbreaking in the most therapeutic of ways.