Is Ghost Lake Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Ghost Lake is likely a skip if you enjoy Horror movies.
It features a runtime of 112 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Ghost Lake Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2004, Ghost Lake emerges as a significant entry in the Horror, Mystery, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of Rebecca Haster blames herself for the death of her parents and decides to spend sometime alone in the lakeside cottage of her parents in Rushford Lake. Unlike standard genre fare, Ghost Lake attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Horror is often anchored by its ensemble, and Ghost Lake features a noteworthy lineup led by Tatum Adair . Supported by the likes of Timothy Prindle and Gregory Lee Kenyon , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Ghost Lake (2004) is negative. With an audience rating of 3.4/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Ghost Lake Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: Ghost Lake is a Horror, Mystery, Thriller film that 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 and narrative structure.
Ghost Lake Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: Ghost Lake attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to horror resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the horror themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Ghost Lake reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
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
Ghost Lake Box Office Collection
| 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.
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Full Cast & Crew of Ghost Lake
- Tatum Adair – Rebecca Haster
- Timothy Prindle – Stan James
- Gregory Lee Kenyon – Sheriff Dobbs
- Azure Sky Decker – Flora / Saundra Tompson
Top Highlights
Tatum AdairRebecca Haster
Timothy PrindleStan James
Gregory Lee KenyonSheriff Dobbs
Azure Sky DeckerFlora / Saundra Tompson
Where to Watch Ghost Lake Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Fandango At Home🏷️ Buy on
Fandango At HomeParents Guide & Age Rating
Ghost Lake has not been officially rated yet. Based on its genres (Horror, Mystery, Thriller), it contains frightening scenes, intense suspense, mature themes, violence.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 3.4/10, and global collection metrics, Ghost Lake stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2004 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ghost Lake movie hit or flop?
Ghost Lake is considered a flop based on audience ratings of 3.4/10 and lower collections.
Is Ghost Lake worth watching?
Based on the low rating of 3.4/10, Ghost Lake may not be worth watching unless you are a die-hard fan.
Where can I watch Ghost Lake online?
Ghost Lake may be available for rent or purchase on digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, or Amazon Prime Video. Specific streaming availability can vary by country.
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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 analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.