We Have a Ghost (2023) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The story is set in Oklahoma, where the Presley family moves into a haunted house. The house itself is central to the narrative, as it's where they discover Ernest the ghost and uncover the dark history tied to his tragic past.

• oklahoma
• haunted house
• setting
• location

While the present-day story is modern, the film reveals Ernest lived in the house from 1965 to 1971. This historical period is crucial to understanding Ernest's backstory and the events that led to his haunting.

• 1965
• 1971
• time period
• era
• flashback

The film explores three major themes: ghostly encounters and the complexities of life after death, family dynamics and how shared experiences can bring people closer, and social media's double-edged nature, showing how viral fame can lead to both attention and danger.

• themes
• ghost
• family
• social media
• meaning

Ernest is a playful ghost who haunts the Presley family's new home. He suffers from amnesia and has a tragic past tied to the years he lived in the house (1965-1971). Through his friendship with young Kevin, Ernest becomes a bridge between the living and the dead, exploring themes of redemption and memory.

• ernest
• ghost
• character
• memory

Frank Presley is the father of the family who moves into the haunted house. Played by Anthony Mackie, he struggles to keep his family together while sometimes prioritizing recognition and profit from their supernatural discovery. His character arc involves confronting how his choices impact his family.

• frank presley
• father
• anthony mackie

Social media plays a crucial role as the family's YouTube channel documenting Ernest goes viral, transforming them into internet sensations. The film critiques society's fascination with the macabre and the dangers of exploiting personal tragedies for public gain, showing how fame becomes a double-edged sword.

• social media
• youtube
• viral
• fame
• internet

Kevin is the young son of the Presley family and serves as the emotional core of the story. A curious aspiring guitarist, he forms a unique bond with Ernest, driving the narrative's journey of discovery as he learns about friendship, understanding, and confronting the past.

• kevin
• son
• guitarist
• character

Dr. Leslie Monroe is a horror writer with a complex history tied to CIA projects. Played by Tig Notaro, she warns the family about potential dangers related to Ernest, bringing a serious tone to the supernatural events and representing an insightful perspective that bridges academia with the paranormal.

• dr leslie monroe
• tig notaro
• cia
• horror writer

The film balances a hopeful, lighthearted tone driven by Kevin and Ernest's friendship with darker, tense elements involving CIA conspiracies and peril. This creates a mix of comedic, family-friendly moments with genuine stakes, resulting in a bittersweet ending where Ernest finds peace but the family must move on.

• tone
• mood
• comedy
• horror
• family

Judy Romano is a local medium played by Jennifer Coolidge who adds comedic chaos to the story. Her attempts to capture evidence of Ernest's existence create humorous situations, showcasing the absurdity of ghost-hunting culture while representing the intersection of belief and skepticism.

• judy romano
• medium
• jennifer coolidge
• ghost hunter

Ernest's mysterious past is connected to a dangerous CIA conspiracy that puts the Presley family in peril. Dr. Leslie Monroe warns them about the potential dangers, revealing that Ernest's tragic backstory involves government experiments, adding a darker layer to the family's viral fame.

• cia
• conspiracy
• danger
• secret government