Written and directed by Molly Muse, co-written by Britt Harris, who both star in the film as two friends who lumber into a ghost town to break a curse.
A great location can immediately elevate any film, change any atmosphere or heighten everything at work within a story, and choosing to shoot Ghost Town in Bodie State Historic Park, gave it all of those things. Everything about this short film is improved with the hugely enjoyable visual that this real ghost town provides. It sets such a wonderful initial tone of drama and comedy but also allows Molly Muse and Britt Harris to effortlessly move through mystery, tension and even a nice dab of horror.
That’s not to give the location too much credit because it’s enhancing the material that’s already there from Muse and Harris, the script is funny and yet impressively holds genuine suspense. The latter is something that’s strengthened by Muse’s directorial choices, there’s a fantastic mix of angles. Some of them feel traditional and structured while others more playful and agile, and that variety helps it to evolve its atmosphere throughout. It also demonstrates a key element in the success of Ghost Town which is self-awareness, its style recognises the slightly absurd or melodramatic edge to its story and plays into it.
Another element of variety comes from the performances, Muse and Harris present extremely different characters. Harris’ Fiona has a hyper energy, she’s constantly reactive and has a big personality, whereas Muse’s Kimmi is quiet, reserved and a little bit of a cynic but a clearly loyal friend. The two of them create a great balance for Ghost Town, those opposing energies help to make the changing tones smoother. As well as adding a nicely done dose of awkwardness which stops it from becoming overtly theatrical, keeping a grasp on reality.
Ghost Town feels like an excellent progression from Molly Muse and Britt Harris’s last short film Wrap Me in a Sheet, you can easily see how those skills translated into their new project. The comedy work is absolutely solid and it has the flexibility to shift between comedy, drama, mystery and horror. The ghost element is well done but it’s great to see that they don’t rely upon it and instead use the performances and atmosphere to add fear and suspense alongside the humour.
It’s well shot, in a superb location, and it’s impressively aware of itself and where the lines are for holding onto a feel of reality and authenticity. The story moves smoothly and confidently and it’s a genuinely fun, entertaining short.
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