''Ghost from the Machine'' is a 2010 independent supernatural thriller written and directed by Matt Osterman. It was filmed in and around

Minneapolis Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

, and made its festival debut at the

Fantasia Festival Fantasia International Film Festival (also known as Fantasia-fest, FanTasia, and Fant-Asia) is a film festival that has been based mainly in Montreal since its founding in 1996. Regularly held in July of each year, it is valued by both hardcore ...

in Montreal, Canada. ''Ghost from the Machine'' was also an official Independent Feature Project Labs participant. ''Ghost from the Machine'' was originally titled, and is known internationally as, ''Phasma Ex Machina.''

Plot

After his parents die, Cody, an inventor, becomes obsessed with finding a way to contact them once again. Tom, a local scientist who lost his wife, becomes interested in the project and helps Cody. Together, they discover that Cody's invention can cause ghosts to momentarily reappear as flesh and blood. Tom and Cody become further obsessed with maximizing the amount of time that they can spend with their loved ones, only to discover that a pair of dangerous murderers have also been rematerialized by the machine. Tom and Cody soon realize that the only way to see their loved ones is to put themselves and others at risk. As they debate the ethical and philosophical ramifications of the machine, the killers grow stronger and attempt to kill Cody's younger brother. Ultimately, Cody is able to rescue his brother, and Cody and Tom destroy the machine.

Cast

* Sasha Andreev as Cody * Matthew Feeney as Tom * Max Hauser as James

Release

''Ghost from the Machine'' premiered as ''Phasma Ex Machina'' at the

on July 7, 2010. In 2011,

Screen Media Films Screen Media Ventures, LLC. is an American-Canadian distribution company founded in 2001. In 2008, Screen Media selected The Creative Coalition as its exclusive nonprofit partner in launching the Spotlight Initiative. The partnership permits the p ...

then acquired and retitled it. It was released on DVD and video on demand on August 2, 2011.

Reception

Dennis Harvey of ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' called it "an impressive feature debut" that favors "a slow build and minimal violence over blunt scare tactics". Andrew Mack of

Twitch Film Screen Anarchy, previously known as Twitch Film or Twitch, is a Canadian English-language website featuring news and reviews of mainly international, independent and cult films. The website was founded in 2004 by Todd Brown. In addition to films, ...

compared it to '' Primer'' and called it "a quiet and slowly chilling ghost story that lingers around the fringes of your nerves." Matt Coker of '' OC Weekly'' cited the strong performances and well-written relationships made it a stand-out film at the Anaheim International Film Festival. Brad Miska of Bloody Disgusting rated it 3.5/5 stars and called it thematically confused but "a wonderfully tragic supernatural flick that's both captivating and 'smart'."

Awards

''Ghost from the Machine'' was the winner of the Flyway Film Festival and was voted "Best of the Fest" at the Arizona Underground Film Festival.

Remake

Deadline Deadline(s) or The Deadline(s) may refer to: * Time limit, a narrow field of time by which an objective must be accomplished Arts, entertainment, and media Comics * Deadline (DC Comics), a fictional villain * ''Deadline'' (magazine), a British ...

'' reported in August 2011 that

Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...

acquired remake rights; director

Gary Shore Gary Shore is an Irish people, Irish film director, producer and screenwriter, best known for his directorial debut film ''Dracula Untold''. He has also directed commercials for a number of well-known brands including Gatorade, Adidas, and UGG A ...

and writer Nathan Parker were attached. By January 2016, Shore had left the project and was replaced by

Anthony Scott Burns Anthony Scott Burns (born May 9, 1977) is a Canadian filmmaker, visual effects artist and musician. After starting his film career as a visual effects artist and director, as of 2015 he is directing three feature films in pre-production: ''Dark Mat ...

. The remake was released in 2018 with the title '' Our House''.

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ghost From The Machine 2010 films 2010s fantasy thriller films 2010 independent films American fantasy thriller films American independent films American supernatural thriller films Films about the afterlife Films shot in Minnesota American ghost films 2010s ghost films 2010s supernatural thriller films 2010s English-language films 2010s American films Screen Media films