Ghostbusters: Afterlife Review — A Loving Tribute That Never Quite Earns Its Place

Ghostbusters: Afterlife opens with a family in trouble. Finley Epps and his mother Callie live in a small town in Oklahoma, scraping by while Callie works as a janitor at a local university. Their father disappeared years ago, leaving behind a broken van, a dusty attic full of odd furniture, and a sense that the past held something more than grief. The movie wants to be a love letter to the original Ghostbusters, but it spends the first half hour establishing that Finley and Callie are ordinary people whose lives are about to get extraordinary.

The setup is simple. Callie finds a key that unlocks a shed behind their house, revealing a vintage proton pack and a ghost trap. Finley, who has been building model Ecto-1s in secret, recognizes the equipment immediately. The movie leans heavily on nostalgia, dropping references to Venkman, Spengler, Stantz, and Zeddemore that feel less like callbacks and more like signposts for anyone who saw the 1984 film. The problem is that the new characters never quite earn their place alongside the originals.

Trailer, via Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Shed Scene to Proton Pack

The plot accelerates quickly after the shed scene. Finley and Callie discover that their grandfather was Egon Spengler, one of the original Ghostbusters. This revelation explains why they have always felt out of place, why their house is filled with strange artifacts, and why their father left. The film spends considerable time on the emotional weight of this discovery, showing Finley bonding with his grandfather’s memory through old photos and stories.

But the personal drama is undercut by the film’s constant need to remind viewers of the franchise’s history. Characters explain the rules of ghost hunting as if the audience had never seen a movie before. Finley’s school friends are fascinated by the proton packs, and their questions about why they exist are treated as if they were the most profound mysteries in the world. The film treats its own lore as something new, even though it is drawing directly from a film that is over four decades old.

The humor is mostly gentle, with a few moments landing well. There is a running joke about Finley’s crush on a girl named Phoebe, who happens to be the daughter of a wealthy businessman. The class dynamic is played for mild comedy, with Finley’s working-class background contrasted against Phoebe’s privileged life. The film also includes a subplot involving a local bully who bullies Finley at school, which adds some tension to the otherwise light-hearted tone.

Callie as Heart of the Film

Callie is the heart of the film. She is a single mother who has raised Finley alone, working tirelessly to keep her son happy despite the absence of his father. Her scenes with Finley are the best in the movie, full of warmth and genuine affection. She encourages him to follow his passion for science and ghosts, even when she does not fully understand it herself. Her character arc involves coming to terms with her husband’s disappearance and learning about her father-in-law’s legacy.

The film handles Callie’s grief with care. She is not reduced to a plot device, but a fully realized person with her own fears and dreams. Her relationship with Finley is the emotional core of the film, and it is a shame that the supernatural threat does not measure up to it.

The Nostalgia Trap

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is at its best when it focuses on family. The scenes between Finley and Callie, and later between Finley and his grandfather’s memory, are tender and well-acted. Carrie Coon plays Callie with a quiet strength, and Finn Wolfhard delivers a performance that balances humor and sincerity. The chemistry between the two actors feels natural, and their bond carries the film through its weaker stretches.

The film also features a young girl named Phoebe, who becomes Finley’s friend and ally. Her character is introduced as a foil to Finley, representing the kind of person he might want to be. The relationship between Finley and Phoebe is sweet, and their shared interest in ghosts provides a common ground for them to connect.

Marshall as Comic Relief

Finley’s schoolmate Marshall is a recurring presence, serving as both comic relief and a source of conflict. His presence helps drive the film’s school-based comedy, giving Finley a foil and a sounding board for his discoveries. The school setting allows the film to explore themes of belonging and acceptance. Finley is often isolated from his classmates, and Marshall’s eventual support provides a small victory. The film suggests that being different is not a flaw, and that friendship can overcome social barriers. These messages are delivered with a light touch, making them easier to swallow than the heavy-handed moralizing found in other films.

Marshall’s arc is simple, but it works within the context of the film.

The Third Act

The third act is where Ghostbusters: Afterlife stumbles. The villain’s plan is revealed to be a desperate bid to escape, but the film fails to make the stakes feel urgent. The town is threatened, but the film does not spend enough time showing what is at risk. The climax is a series of chase scenes and explosions, with Finley and Callie racing to stop the ghost before it destroys everything. The action is energetic, but it lacks the tension that would make it memorable.

The film ends on a hopeful note, with Finley and Callie continuing their investigation into their grandfather’s legacy. The final scene shows them driving away in the Ecto-1, ready for whatever comes next. It is a fitting conclusion to a film that is ultimately about legacy and connection.

What Works

• The relationship between Finley and Callie is the strongest element of the film.
• The performances by Finn Wolfhard and Carrie Coon are excellent.
• The film’s handling of family dynamics is honest and touching.
• The visual effects are impressive, especially for a film aimed at younger audiences.
• The humor is gentle and well-timed, avoiding the crassness of some modern comedies.

What Doesn’t Work

• The villain’s motivations are underdeveloped and unclear.
• The plot relies too heavily on nostalgia, treating the original Ghostbusters as a mystery to everyone except the audience.
• The pacing slows in the middle, with extended sequences that feel like filler.
• Some jokes fall flat, particularly those aimed at younger viewers.
• The film’s attempt to balance comedy, drama, and action results in a scattered tone.

The Verdict

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a mixed bag. It succeeds when it focuses on family and character, and it fails when it tries to be a big blockbuster. The film’s heart is in the right place, but its execution is uneven. It is a film that will appeal to fans of the original Ghostbusters, but it will likely frustrate anyone looking for a fresh take on the franchise.

The film is not a disaster, but it is not a triumph either. It is a competent, occasionally charming addition to the canon, one that respects its predecessors while failing to add much to them. The best moments come from the human drama, not the supernatural spectacle. The worst moments come from the film’s inability to let go of its own mythology.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a film that knows what it wants to be, but struggles to deliver on its promises. It is a loving tribute to a beloved franchise, but it is not a great movie. The best way to watch it is as a companion piece to the original, not a replacement for it. For fans, it is a pleasant diversion. For newcomers, it is a confusing entry point. The film is not a failure, but it is not a success either. It is a middling effort, one that will be remembered for its heart rather than its craft.

afterlife · Carrie Coon · Finn Wolfhard · Ghostbusters · movie review