A Ghost Story

After death, a solitary figure shrouded in a white sheet returns to the home he shared with his wife, intent on offering consolation. The ghost moves through familiar rooms, but time seems to ignore him, looping back on itself in a way that empties memory. He cannot intervene in the days that unfold, only observe as his wife confronts loss and eventually moves farther away from the life they built together. The film follows this spectral presence with minimal dialogue and patient long takes, letting rooms, meals, and ordinary routines carry emotion. Through Casey Affleck's restrained performance as C and Rooney Mara as M, the story turns intimate yet elusive. Silence dominates, and ordinary moments become a measure of devotion.

Directed by David Lowery, A Ghost Story is built from an original screenplay rather than source material. With a lean budget of 100,000, the 2017 release showcases Lowery's preference for quiet, meditative storytelling over big set pieces, attracting art audiences.

Worldwide box office closed at roughly 1.93 million, reflecting a limited release rather than broad commercial push. The modest take consistently aligned with the film's intimate scale and arthouse appeal, drawing praise from critics while remaining a niche favorite globally.

Audience discussions often center on the film's restraint and symbolism. Scenes of the sheeted figure drifting through doorways, the quiet piano score, and the lingering, almost marble-like stillness sparked conversations about memory, time, and the shapes that linger after love ends. For many viewers it marks a turning point truly.

Critics praised the film for its delicate handling of grief and the way small gestures gain weight under Lowery's steady gaze. It foregrounds memory over plot, asks how a life feels after it passes, and whether love survives beyond ordinary existence. Affleck and Mara anchor it with restrained, unhurried emotion.