Horror is known for schlock of all levels and Thirteen Ghosts lands somewhere in the middle. It isn’t high art or even necessarily a good movie, but Thirteen Ghosts does enough to deserve recognition. First, the writing is mildly interesting. Not much is fleshed out and the ending goes off the rails, but the premise of captured ghosts in a house of enchanted walls is unique. Meanwhile, although the acting is weighed down by the supporting cast (especially the kid), Tony Shalhoub and Matthew Lillard both elevate the material. Shalhoub is simply a supervisor actor and Lillard brings the ideal amount of ham.
Furthermore, Thirteen Ghosts is surprisingly proficient from a technical perspective. The editing during ghost attacks is chaotic and frightening. The ghosts have an echoing sound that feels distant and melancholy. Yet, the production design stands out at the highlight of the film because the ghosts have a distinct discolored look and the aesthetic of the house is modernized industrialism that's almost steampunk. Throw in the proficient camera work and effects, and the result is a movie that isn’t half bad. Thirteen Ghosts certainly has faults but, overall, it is a reasonable piece of schlock.
Writing: 5/10
Direction: 4/10
Cinematography: 6/10
Acting: 5/10
Editing: 7/10
Sound: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 4/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 6/10
Effects: 6/10
Overall Score: 5.7/10
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