The 2017 film Ghost Stories, directed by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, is a chilling psychological horror film that weaves together supernatural encounters with deeper existential and spiritual themes. At its surface, the film follows Professor Phillip Goodman, a sceptic and paranormal investigator, as he sets out to debunk three supposedly real cases of hauntings. However, as the story unfolds, Ghost Stories reveals itself to be much more than just a collection of eerie encounters. It delves into guilt, denial, and the consequences of unresolved trauma, ultimately questioning the nature of reality itself.
One of the central spiritual themes in Ghost Stories is the idea that our past actions and suppressed guilt shape our reality. Goodman prides himself on his rational, scientific approach to the paranormal, believing that everything has a logical explanation. However, as he investigates each case, he is forced to confront his own buried fears and repressed memories. This mirrors the spiritual concept that the external world often reflects our inner struggles, and that ignoring the truth only allows it to haunt us in different forms. Many religious and philosophical traditions teach that unresolved guilt and denial prevent spiritual growth, trapping individuals in cycles of suffering until they acknowledge and confront their past.
The film also plays with the idea of purgatory and existential limbo. As Goodman’s experiences become increasingly disorienting and surreal, the story suggests that he may not be investigating supernatural occurrences, but rather reliving his own psychological torment. This aligns with spiritual and religious notions of judgment and the afterlife, where unresolved sins must be faced before the soul can move on. The cyclical nature of the film, where Goodman appears to be caught in an endless loop, reflects the idea that true redemption only comes through self-awareness and acceptance.
Another key spiritual aspect of Ghost Stories is the concept of belief and perception. Goodman’s skepticism is challenged as the film progresses, but rather than finding evidence of ghosts, he is confronted with the ghosts of his own past. This echoes spiritual teachings that emphasize the power of the mind in shaping reality. Just as faith can open one’s perception to divine experiences, fear and guilt can manifest as haunting visions. The film suggests that the supernatural may not exist in the traditional sense, but that the most terrifying ghosts are the ones we create within ourselves.
Ultimately, Ghost Stories is more than just a horror film—it is a meditation on the psychological and spiritual weight of denial, the consequences of past actions, and the inescapable nature of truth. By blending supernatural horror with existential dread, the film invites viewers to question the nature of their own fears and whether they stem from something external or deeply internal. It challenges the audience to consider the idea that the real ghosts in life are not spirits lurking in the dark, but the memories and regrets we try to bury. In the end, the film suggests that true horror is not about ghosts, but about the things we refuse to face within ourselves.
