Ghosts Can’t Do It

Ghosts Can’t Do It

Year: 1989

Runtime: 90 mins

Language: English

Director: John Derek

RomanceScience FictionFantasyComedyAction

After suffering a fatal heart attack that leaves his body broken, elderly Scott returns as a ghost. Determined to regain a physical form, he persuades his attractive, young wife Kate to select and murder a young man, intending to possess the victim’s body so he can be with her again.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Ghosts Can’t Do It (1989)

Trace every key event in Ghosts Can’t Do It (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Katie and Scott's passionate marriage

Katie O'Dare and Scott share a deeply loving marriage despite a 30-year age gap. They lead an active, adventurous life with frequent affection and sexual intimacy. Their happiness sets the tone for their union before tragedy intervenes.

early in their marriage their home and countryside estate
2

Scott suffers a heart attack during a horseback ride

During a leisurely horseback ride, Scott suffers a heart attack but miraculously survives. Doctors inform them that the attack has left him unable to have sex, and his age makes a heart transplant unlikely. The diagnosis shatters their expectations for the future together.

during a ride on a countryside horseback trail
3

Scott's death by suicide

Denied a transplant and facing a diminished life, Scott chooses to end his life on his own terms. He dies in his home, choosing autonomy over a prolonged decline. Katie is left to cope with the loss and the sudden emptiness of their future.

shortly after medical news at their home
4

Scott ascends to the afterlife and meets the guardian angel

Upon death, Scott ascends to the afterlife and encounters a fledgling guardian angel who has little experience guiding souls. The angel is uncertain of her role, while Scott senses an opportunity to influence the living world again. The encounter sets the stage for an improbable return.

immediately after death the afterlife
5

Scott persuades the guardian angel to let him return as a ghost

Despite initial hesitation, Scott convinces the guardian angel to allow him to return to Earth as a ghost so he can stay near Katie. He agrees to a plan that would keep him close, even if it means existing unseen. The decision marks a fragile rebirth of Scott’s presence.

upon his return Earth
6

Katie can hear and see Scott as a ghost

Katie becomes the sole person who can see or hear Scott, turning their bond into a secret, intimate companionship. The lack of physical contact intensifies their longing, as they navigate a fragile connection across the mortal realm. Their situation blends love with a sense of haunting and impossibility.

after his return Katie's world
7

Scott's plan to possess a victim's body begins

Scott develops a strategy for Katie to murder so he can possess the victim's body. He envisions a way to be physically close to Katie again and to prolong their time together through a living vessel. The plan marks a chilling shift from longing to coercive manipulation.

soon after his return
8

Katie travels the world and negotiates a Trump deal

Assuming a cover of managing business affairs, Katie uses her inheritance to travel the world in search of the perfect victim. A subplot shows her negotiating a high-stakes business deal with Donald Trump, illustrating the global scope of their ambitions. The intrigue blends personal motive with external power plays.

during the worldwide search
9

Scott urges sexual testing with each potential victim

Scott advocates that Katie have sex with each potential victim to determine if the body's anatomy is sexually compatible for possession. The process adds tension, as intimacy becomes a tool of the plan rather than a shared choice. The emotional stakes rise with every encounter.

during the search for a vessel
10

Fausto is chosen as the target

The couple narrows their focus to Fausto, a young petty criminal, as the ideal vessel. Katie begins to engage more deeply with him, while the possibility of murder edges closer to reality. The choice tests Katie's resolve as she weighs ethics against longing.

during the pursuit
11

Fausto drowns during a snorkeling incident; possession challenge

During a snorkeling trip, Fausto gets entangled in a fishing net and drowns. In a surprising twist, Scott is unable to possess a dead body, forcing Katie to confront the contingency of the plan. The moment upends their scheme and tests their commitment to the idea.

snorkeling trip snorkeling site
12

Katie revives Fausto and Scott possesses the living body

Katie performs CPR to revive Fausto, bringing him back to life. Once he is living again, Scott is finally able to possess the body, taking control of Fausto from within. The possession transforms both their fates and consolidates the chilling alliance.

immediately after revival snorkeling site
13

Katie marries Fausto, now possessed by Scott

Katie marries Fausto, who is now permanently inhabited by Scott. The union cements the eerie fusion of their destinies and the new life they will share through a living vessel. The story closes on a partnership built on possession rather than partnership alone.

after possession

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:19

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Ghosts Can’t Do It

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