A Ghost Story

  • 2017
  • R
  • 93m
movieMx RATING
7.1
2.5K
VERDICT
HIT
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A Ghost Story Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict

Last updated: April 20, 2026

movieMx Editorial
📅 Updated: April 20, 2026 🎟️ Verified Screening

Movie Overview: A Ghost Story

MovieA Ghost Story
Release Year2017
DirectorDavid Lowery
GenreDrama / Fantasy / Mystery / Romance
Runtime93 minutes
LanguageEN

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is A Ghost Story (2017) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast & Character Study

The performances in A Ghost Story are led by Casey Affleck . The supporting cast, including Rooney Mara and McColm Cephas Jr. , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.

💡 movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?

After analyzing the verified data, our assessment of A Ghost Story (2017) is generally positive—a solid choice for fans of the genre. With a platform rating of 7.1/10, it currently stands as a HIT in our database.

What Works in the Movie

A Ghost Story stands out as a strong entry in the Drama genre. The film benefits from engaging storytelling, memorable performances, and solid production values that help keep viewers invested.

  • Compelling performances from the main cast
  • Strong visual storytelling and direction
  • Well-structured Drama narrative
  • Satisfying emotional or dramatic payoff

What Doesn't Work

Despite its strengths, A Ghost Story has a few issues that may affect the overall viewing experience, particularly in terms of pacing and narrative consistency.

  • Uneven pacing in certain parts of the film
  • Some predictable plot developments
  • May not appeal to audiences outside the Drama fanbase

Story & Plot Summary: A Ghost Story

Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2017, A Ghost Story is a Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance film directed by David Lowery. The narrative explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Casey Affleck.

Story Breakdown

This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. Recently deceased, a white-sheeted ghost returns to his suburban home to console his bereft wife, only to find that in his spectral state he has become unstuck in time, forced to watch passively as the life he knew and the woman he loves slowly slip away. The screenplay takes time to develop Casey Affleck's journey, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. Casey Affleck's arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.

Thematic Depth

The film delves into universal human experiences including love, loss, identity, and belonging. It holds up a mirror to society, asking difficult questions about morality, choice, and consequence.

What Works & What Doesn't

✅ Strengths

  • Solid execution of genre conventions
  • Engaging moments that showcase the creators' vision
  • Competent performances from the cast

⚠️ Weaknesses

  • Some narrative choices that feel predictable
  • Occasional pacing lulls in the middle act

Ending Explained: A Ghost Story

A Ghost Story Ending Explained: Directed by David Lowery, A Ghost Story resolves its central conflicts in a coherent and engaging way. The ending highlights the core drama themes developed throughout the film.

The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Casey Affleck. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.

Key Elements of the Ending

  • Narrative Resolution: The main storyline reaches a clear conclusion.
  • Character Development: The central characters complete meaningful arcs.
  • Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the drama themes introduced earlier in the film.

The final moments of A Ghost Story reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.

Who Should Watch A Ghost Story?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of Casey Affleck or the director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: A Ghost Story

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $100.0K
Worldwide Gross $1.9M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

A Ghost Story Budget

The estimated production budget for A Ghost Story is $100.0K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: A Ghost Story

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Where to Watch A Ghost Story Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home
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🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Fandango At HomeFandango At Home

A Ghost Story Parents Guide & Age Rating

2017 Advisory
R

Official Age Rating

Wondering about A Ghost Story age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

A Ghost Story is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains romantic content. It is intended for mature audiences only.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of A Ghost Story is 93 minutes (1h 33m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.1/10, and global performance metrics, A Ghost Story is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2017 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for A Ghost Story. Rating: 7.1/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Ghost Story worth watching?

A Ghost Story is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.1/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find A Ghost Story parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for A Ghost Story identifies it as R. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of A Ghost Story?

The total duration of A Ghost Story is 93 minutes, which is approximately 1h 33m long.

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Critic Reviews for A Ghost Story

🛡️

movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 7.1
A Ghost Story
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/a-ghost-story-428449" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 7.1</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">A Ghost Story</div></div></a>

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