We Have a Ghost (2023)

We Have a Ghost is the kind of supernatural comedy that sneaks up on you: it starts with a clever, very-now hook about instant viral fame, then gently reveals a surprisingly tender heart beating inside the sheet-and-rattles routine. Christopher Landon keeps the vibe light and mischievous—more playful than scary—while letting David Harbour’s wonderfully expressive ghost and Jahi Di’Allo Winston’s grounded, big-hearted teen make the odd-couple bond feel real. The movie zips between laughs, mild PG-13 spookiness, and a conspiracy-tinged adventure without getting mean-spirited, and when it aims for emotion, it earns it with warmth instead of manipulation. If you want hard horror or razor-sharp satire, this may feel too sweet, but if you’re on the fence and craving an easy, charming crowd-pleaser with a touching finish, it’s a great pick.

We Have a Ghost is clearly trying to mash up a family-friendly haunted-house comedy with a social-media satire and a surprisingly earnest mystery about unfinished business, and on paper that sounds like a fun ride. In practice, it’s a tone-juggler that drops a few balls: the movie keeps switching lanes from goofy to heartfelt to CIA chase thriller, so the pacing feels lumpy and the sentiment can land a bit forced. It’s also longer than the material needs, which makes the emotional beats and side plots feel padded rather than powerful. That said, David Harbour gives the ghost real charm and the premise has a couple of genuinely sweet moments—just don’t go in expecting tight horror, consistent comedy, or a cleanly focused story.