Ghostland

After a mother of two inherits a house from her aunt, the family moves in seeking a fresh start. On the first night, masked intruders invade the home and the mother fights to protect her children at all costs. The harrowing event leaves the family scarred and certain that danger lingers in the walls. Sixteen years later, the two sisters reunite at the same house, hoping to reconnect, only to discover that the place still holds strange and unsettling forces. The atmosphere of fear thickens as forgotten events resurface and threaten to upend the fragile balance of their lives.

Released in 2018, Ghostland was directed by Pascal Laugier and based on an original screenplay rather than a preexisting source material. The film features Crystal Reed as Beth, Mylène Farmer as Pauline, Anastasia Phillips as Vera, and Emilia Jones and Taylor Hickson as their younger selves, delivering intense performances.

Reception to Ghostland was mixed, with critics debating its fearless intensity and its willingness to push boundaries. Some praised the performers especially the two sisters and the film’s claustrophobic atmosphere, while others criticized the pacing and the level of violence. The themes of trauma and resilience invite reflection on family bonds and the price of survival.

Beyond its shock value the movie sparked discussion about trauma and motherhood under extreme pressure. Its stark visuals and sudden shifts in tone give the film a memorable edge within the horror landscape, drawing attention from genre fans and viewers seeking provocative cinema. The storytelling plays with memory and misdirection, leaving audiences in a state of unsettled ambiguity.

There were no major awards for Ghostland, though it found an audience among fans of intense genre cinema. Its reception highlights how bold, controversial stories can energize horror discourse even without mainstream accolades.