Review: 'Ghosts Of War' A Successful Genre Hybrid

A beautifully shot horror/action hybrid, "Ghosts of War" treads on vaguely similar territory as 2018's excellent "Overlord," but does so with a twist.

Set in WWII, a group of five soldiers is making their way across the French countryside when they are ordered to set up base at an expansive mansion. When the previous company gladly (and abruptly) leaves, they think they've scored a nice reprieve from the terrors of war. Little do they realize, the horror is just beginning.

Leading the group is level-headed Chris (played by Aussie Brenton Thwaites). He is charged to watch over tough guy Kirk (Theo Rossi), secret good guy Tappert (Kyle Gallner), bookish Eugene (Skylar Astin), and hunk Butchie (Alan Ritchson). Things start to go awry right away as the group begins to notice strange things occurring in the house. From hidden voices to rumblings on the floors above them, something isn't quite right with the estate and, one by one, it starts to affect them.

Nazis might be their true foe, but what lurks in the darkness is oddly more frightening.

Written and directed by "The Butterfly Effect" writer and "Kyle XY" creator Eric Bress, the film is incredibly well put together with gorgeous cinematography by Lorenzo Senatore that makes the creepiness that much more effective. Bress has gathered a cast of "Hey, I know that guy" names who are all talented actors, and he sells the hell out of the weirdness that starts to occur. There are some truly unnerving scenes here; and between the actor's performances, the sound, and the set design, and the way the film is shot, it makes for a terrifically spooky viewing experience.

The one potential drawback is an ending that won't work for everyone, but that you never see coming. You can't deny that it's compelling and suspenseful, however, despite the fact you might think... "Wait, what?" It's way better than having seen the finale coming a mile away. So, for that, I applaud it.

Overall, this is one of the better horror efforts of the year. "Relic" recently gave us Ari Aster vibes, while "Ghosts of War" is almost in a class by itself. Part war movie, part horror film, part psychological thriller, Bress has crafted an original haunted house tale that will please genre fans looking for a fresh take on a familiar trope. These are ghosts I'm glad I followed into battle.