Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Compassionate drama about grief, theater; strong language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ghostlight
What's the Story?
GHOSTLIGHT follows Dan (Keith Kupferer), a Chicago-area construction worker who can't face his pain over his son's tragic death. He doesn't expect that the theater, a place his daughter Daisy (Kupferer's real-life daughter, Katherine Mallen Kupferer) loves, could be a place of solace for him. But after being invited to join a local theater company that's rehearsing Romeo and Juliet, Dan finds that the play hits very close to home.
Is It Any Good?
This drama is a wonderful character study of a family dealing with intense grief, particularly when it comes to father/husband Dan. Dan feels deeply, but, as he admits, he's part of a generation that was taught to bottle up their emotions. His lack of training around feelings makes him lash out or flee instead of expressing himself. He quickly finds out that those reactions do more harm than good, but -- as he gets deeper into the world of the theater -- he also realizes that his emotions can serve him in positive ways. The way that Dan's personal life ends up paralleling parts of his stage life in Romeo and Juliet feels a bit forced at times. But aside from that, Ghostlight is a loving tribute to dealing with grief and the idea that healing can come from unexpected places. And the fact that the three actors playing the central characters -- Kupferer; his wife, Tara Mallen; and their daughter, Mallen Kupferer -- are a real-life family gives the whole project an extra layer of poignancy.
If you or someone you love need mental health support, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters in Ghostlight play against stereotypes related to age and race. Why are diverse representations in the media important?
How does the movie portray grief? How does loss affect Dan? And how does the way he deals (or doesn't deal) with his grief affect his family? Can you think of other movies that address similar themes?
What message is the film sending about the importance of theater and the arts? How does the theater bring Dan's family closer together? How does it affect your feelings about the film to know that the actors playing Dan, Sharon, and Daisy are a real-life family?
How do the characters demonstrate communication, compassion, and empathy? Why are those important character strengths?
When is it important to talk about mental health, especially if you're worried about a friend or family member? What resources are available to help both kids and adults? If you or someone you love needs mental health support, call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 14, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : July 30, 2024
- Cast : Keith Kupferer , Katherine Mallen Kupferer , Tara Mallen , Dolly De Leon
- Directors : Kelly O'Sullivan , Alex Thompson
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : IFC Films
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Empathy
- Run time : 110 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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