David Lowery’s A Ghost Story (2017) is an unconventional take on the supernatural, using minimal dialogue and slow, deliberate pacing to explore themes of grief, time, and the impermanence of life. Unlike traditional ghost films that focus on fear or horror, A Ghost Story presents a deeply introspective and emotional journey that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
The story follows a couple, played by Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara, who live in a modest home. When the man unexpectedly dies in a car accident, he returns as a ghost, represented by a simple white sheet with black eye holes. Silent and unable to communicate, he watches life continue without him. His wife grieves, eventually moves away, and new inhabitants take over the house. The ghost, however, remains bound to the location, observing time pass in ways that transcend human perception.
One of the film’s most striking elements is its use of stillness and long takes. Scenes unfold with quiet intensity, such as the famous moment where Mara’s character eats an entire pie in an extended, unbroken shot. These moments, while slow, are deliberately crafted to immerse the viewer in the weight of grief and loneliness.
As the film progresses, the ghost experiences time in a non-linear fashion, witnessing both the past and future of the place he once called home. He sees pioneers settling the land, skyscrapers replacing the old neighborhood, and eventually, the cycle repeating itself. Through this structure, A Ghost Story challenges traditional storytelling by presenting time as fluid rather than linear.
Despite its simple presentation, the film carries a profound emotional weight. It asks questions about what remains after we are gone and whether our attachments to places and memories truly matter in the grand scheme of time. The ghost’s silent existence becomes a metaphor for the way people hold onto the past, even as the world moves forward without them.
With its unique visual style, haunting score, and meditative approach, A Ghost Story stands as a poetic reflection on life and loss. It may not be for everyone due to its slow pacing, but for those willing to embrace its quiet depth, it offers a deeply moving cinematic experience.