A Ghost Story

A Ghost Story

Year: 2017

Runtime: 92 min

Language: English

Director: David Lowery

Echo Score: 75

Budget: $100K

DramaFantasyRomance

A gentle spirit, played by Casey Affleck, lingers in his home after his death, observing the grief of his wife, portrayed by Rooney Mara. Bound to the house, he watches as time passes and new inhabitants arrive, confronting the enduring power of memory and the complexities of loss. The film explores themes of existence, connection, and the passage of time through a poignant and contemplative narrative.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A Ghost Story (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Ghost Story (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

19th Century, Present Day

The narrative traverses two distinct time periods: the present day where a musician and his wife navigate life in their home, and the 19th century, exploring the challenges faced by settlers. In the present, themes of grief, loss, and lingering attachments are prevalent, while the 19th century reflects the harsh realities and aspirations of early American life.

Location

Dallas/Fort Worth, 19th Century homestead

The movie primarily takes place in a quaint home located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, known for its vibrant culture and history. Additionally, a sequence is set in the 19th century, showcasing a modest homestead where settlers built their lives. This dual setting contrasts modern life with the historical struggles and aspirations of families in a simpler time.

🏡 Home 🏙️ Urban ⏳ Historical

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:06

Main Characters – A Ghost Story (2017)

Meet the key characters of A Ghost Story (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

The Musician (Casey Affleck)

The musician is a deeply introspective figure, torn between his attachment to his home and the changing dynamics of his marriage. His tragic death leads to a poignant exploration of his resulting ghostly existence, where he grapples with watching his wife move on without him. His character embodies the struggles of love, identity, and the quest for closure.

🎶 Musician 💔 Grief 👻 Ghost

The Wife (Rooney Mara)

The wife is a complex character grappling with her own grief and desire for freedom from the past. Her journey reflects the pain of loss, as she initially mourns the musician's death but gradually seeks to rebuild her life. Her decision to move on becomes a pivotal moment in the story, challenging the ghost's understanding of love and attachment.

💔 Mourning 🌼 Renewal 🏠 Home

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:06

Major Themes – A Ghost Story (2017)

Explore the central themes of A Ghost Story (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Grief

Grief plays a central role in the story, particularly through the wife's mourning process after her husband's death. The ghost's yearning to reconnect with his beloved encapsulates the relentless nature of grief, as he witnesses her coping and eventual moving on with another man. This emotional weight is mirrored in the ghost's inability to let go, highlighting the profound impact of loss.

⏳ Time & Legacy

Time is a critical theme, as the ghost observes the passage of years and the changes that occur in and around his home. The film explores humanity's desire to leave a legacy, intertwined with the understanding that all things eventually fade away. This theme is poignantly illustrated as the ghost witnesses the cyclical nature of life and death, culminating in the rise of new structures where once he lived.

👻 Existence & Observation

The ghost's existence as an unseen observer emphasizes themes of isolation and connection. He experiences life through the eyes of others, yearning for interaction yet unable to participate. This silent observation extends to his interactions with other spirits, exploring the nature of existence beyond death and the restless longing for connection.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:06

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with a quiet, meditative mood like A Ghost Story

Slow, contemplative films that explore loss and memory with a heavy, ethereal mood.This section features movies like A Ghost Story that share a slow, contemplative pacing and a melancholic tone. If you enjoyed the poetic exploration of grief and time, you'll find similar emotionally heavy and dreamlike stories here.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often unfold through observation and introspection rather than traditional conflict. Characters grapple with loss or existential questions, with the narrative structure frequently emphasizing the cyclical or relentless nature of time through non-linear or expansive timelines.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together based on their shared slow pacing, heavy emotional weight, and melancholic tone. They create a specific, immersive vibe defined by quiet contemplation, sorrow, and a focus on the intangible aspects of existence like memory and legacy.

Observer narrative movies similar to A Ghost Story

Stories told from the passive viewpoint of a spirit, memory, or unseen presence.Discover films with a similar narrative device to A Ghost Story, where the story is told from the perspective of a ghost or unseen observer. These movies often share themes of loneliness, memory, and a bittersweet tone.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern centers on a non-interactive protagonist who watches events unfold over time. The conflict is often internal or philosophical, dealing with acceptance and the meaning of existence. The journey is about gaining a new, detached understanding of life and relationships.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by a unique character perspective and plot structure—the observer narrative. This creates a distinct feeling of loneliness and passive contemplation, coupled with themes of legacy and the afterlife, resulting in a specific bittersweet or melancholic tone.

Unlock the Full Story of A Ghost Story

Don't stop at just watching — explore A Ghost Story in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what A Ghost Story is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

A Ghost Story Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Ghost Story, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Ghost Story Summary

A Ghost Story Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Ghost Story with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Ghost Story Timeline

A Ghost Story Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of A Ghost Story that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

A Ghost Story Spoiler-Free Summary

More About A Ghost Story

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about A Ghost Story: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About A Ghost Story

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