Ghost Lake Review: Story, Cast, Rating & Final Verdict
Last updated: April 14, 2026
Movie Overview: Ghost Lake
| Movie | Ghost Lake |
| Release Year | 2004 |
| Director | Jay Woelfel |
| Genre | Horror / Mystery / Thriller |
| Runtime | 112 minutes |
| Language | EN |
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Ghost Lake (2004) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a FLOP with a verified audience rating of 3.4/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Horror.
Cast & Character Study
The performances in Ghost Lake are led by Tatum Adair . The supporting cast, including Timothy Prindle and Gregory Lee Kenyon , provides the necessary layers to the central narrative.
movieMx Verdict: Is it Worth Your Time?
What Works in the Movie
While Ghost Lake does not fully realize its potential, it still contains moments that may appeal to viewers who enjoy Horror films.
- Interesting concept or premise
- Some entertaining scenes
- Supporting cast delivers occasional highlights
What Doesn't Work
Despite its strengths, Ghost Lake 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 Horror fanbase
Story & Plot Summary: Ghost Lake
Quick Plot Summary: Released in 2004, Ghost Lake is a Horror, Mystery, Thriller film directed by Jay Woelfel. The narrative crafts an atmosphere of dread and suspense, using psychological terror and visual scares. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict involving Tatum Adair.
Ending Explained: Ghost Lake
Ghost Lake Ending Explained: Directed by Jay Woelfel, Ghost Lake attempts to bring together the film’s narrative threads. The ending highlights the core horror themes developed throughout the film.
The final twist encourages viewers to reconsider earlier moments in the story, particularly in scenes involving Tatum Adair. The interpretation of the ending may vary among viewers.
Key Elements of the Ending
- Narrative Resolution: The story resolves its primary conflict while leaving room for interpretation.
- Character Development: Character motivations become clearer by the final scenes.
- Thematic Message: The ending reinforces the horror themes introduced earlier in the film.
The final moments of Ghost Lake reflect the creative choices of the filmmakers and align with the tone of the narrative.
Who Should Watch Ghost Lake?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Horror films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Ghost Lake
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $110.0K |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Ghost Lake Budget
The estimated production budget for Ghost Lake is $110.0K. 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.
Top Cast: Ghost Lake
All Cast & Crew →


Where to Watch Ghost Lake Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Amazon Video
Fandango At HomeGhost Lake Parents Guide & Age Rating
2004 AdvisoryWondering about Ghost Lake age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Ghost Lake is 112 minutes (1h 52m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 3.4/10, and global performance metrics, Ghost Lake is classified as a FLOP. It remains an essential part of the 2004 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ghost Lake worth watching?
Ghost Lake is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Horror movies. It has a verified rating of 3.4/10 and stands as a FLOP in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Ghost Lake parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Ghost Lake identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Ghost Lake?
The total duration of Ghost Lake is 112 minutes, which is approximately 1h 52m long.
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How Ghost Lake Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Ghost Lake
**_Take a haunting trip to Rushford Lake in western New York_** After a tragedy, a young woman (Tatum Adair) goes to her family’s summer house to process things. A cool guy (Timothy Prindle) helps keep her from the abyss of depression, but there are spooky goings-on at the reservoir. “Ghost Lake” (2004) only cost $110,000 and was written, scored & directed by one man, Jay Woelfel. He evokes some haunting atmosphere and the special makeup effects are surprisingly good and horrific; the occasional CGI isn’t so bad either, all things considered. It’s basically a meshing of “Messiah of Evil” (and a little “Carnival of Souls”) with “Terror at Tenkiller.” Blonde Tatum does well as the protagonist, but since the entire (overlong) movie is focused on her, I would’ve preferred someone (from back then) like Cerina Vincent, Jennifer Morrison, Danielle Savre, Dominque Swain or Emily Blunt. On the other side of the gender spectrum, Prindle is very effective as the (supposed) bad boy while the guy who plays the sheriff (Gregory Lee Kenyon) is good enough; some of the peripheral actors, not so much. The spooky story gets a little convoluted, involving the number 13, but I’m sure everything makes sense if you put the pieces together. I don’t feel like racking my brain. If you don’t appreciate micro-budget indies, I’d say steer clear (critical viewers go on-and-on about how bad it is), but it works if you’re disposed toward a moody story that takes its time with focus on the region. It runs 1 hour, 52 minutes, and was shot in Rushford, which is a 30-minutes drive southwest of scenic Letchworth State Park, as well as Wellsville, which is a 40-minutes drive southeast of Rushford. GRADE: C/C+
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.







