Ghosts of War appears to do just that, but before you scratch it from your viewing list, let me assure you that it serves a decent purpose here. Not only does it appropriate World War II atrocities to place our protagonists in a believable situation, but it allows us to venture into the psychology of soldiers, no matter the era. Ghosts of War haunts us with the perils of duty above self-preservation – and then the real plot emerges.
Five American soldiers are tasked to guard a French Chateau until their relief arrives, but what seems like a welcome respite turns into a churning cauldron of insidious malice. At once, our soldiers have to confront a supernatural malediction that terrifies and confuses them far more than any Nazi company ever could.
The film feels like a homage to Outpost or Below (two of my personal favorites of all time), with elements of strange manifestations, stories of superstition and collective panic escalating among all five men. Cryptic, almost mind-bending experiences quickly have them on edge, but it is the twist in this film that truly hits home. When Ghosts of War finally reveals its true plot, the film goes from a highly entertaining and creepy ghost story to some downright existential dread that forces us to explore a very disturbing reality.
The production and effects are very good, but where CGI is employed for gore, one would prefer the old school corn syrup, methinks. The American soldiers are believable and solid acting forms a bond between the viewer and each character.
The Demon Knight himself, Billy Zane, is not only executive producer on Ghosts of War, but also plays two roles along with an ensemble cast including Kyle Gallner (The Haunting in Connecticut), Theo Rossi (Sons of Anarchy) and Alan Ritchson (Blue Mountain State), among others.
If you like jump scares and slow burning apprehension on the same page, Ghosts of War will jiggle your horror G-spot. If you enjoyed a film like Below, this will be right up your alley, but as I have warned before, the ending will make or break this for you.
Written and directed by Eric Bress, the man responsible for other twisty sledgehammers like The Butterfly Effect and The Final Destination, Ghosts of War has the same level of subtle suggestion. To be fair, the last part of the film might not please the more generic horror fan. However, in my own opinion, the uncomfortable shift brings a unique twist to Ghosts of War that makes it memorable – whether you like it or not.
-Tasha Danzig
