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Jack is fixing up a rental property to make way for new tenants and discovers why this property continues to lose its occupants.

This black and white gem from co-writer/director/producer Adam Stovall is his feature debut, and was the darling of the 2020 FrightFest, picking up the coveted Best Film accolade. And it’s easy to see why. While it would be easy (but very lazy) to describe this spooky romantic comedy hybrid as ‘Beetlejuice meets Ghost’ that would do it a great disservice as it’s its very own thing.

Jack (MacLeod Andrews, Doctor Sleep) is a lost soul. He has a nothing job, no friends, and the person he’s closest to is his boss. But it’s still a job, and while tidying up one of his boss’ properties, he’s terrified by the appearance of ghost Muriel (Natalie Walker). He flees in horror, and them immediately returns because he’s forgotten his keys. And because he has nothing else happening in his life, he belligerently refuses to be frightened by the phantom. Muriel is troubled that she’s lost her mojo, her job being to frighten people out of homes, and the two strike up the most unlikely of relationships.

Muriel’s supervisor is unimpressed by her failure to evict Jack, bringing in a new girl ghost (sorry, the term is ‘spectral agent’) to up the terror level. But it doesn’t work, because Jack just wants to be with Muriel, who looks like a pale, live-action Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It doesn’t matter that she’s a ghost, he just wants to spend his time with her, and their interaction is beautiful. Will you guess how it all ends? Maybe, but what a way to wrap it up.

Verdict: Ideal for Valentine’s Day, lockdown date night or incurable romantics. It’s not scary – it’s not really even that spooky – but it’s most certainly food for the soul. Highly recommended. 10/10

Nick Joy

Watch for our interview with Adam Stovall coming very soon.