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Fantasy drama

A Ghost Story (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

A Ghost Story (2017) movie poster

A Ghost Story is a 2017 fantasy drama directed by David Lowery, starring Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara and Barlow Jacobs. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $2 million worldwide on a $100,000 budget. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$2M
Echo Score
75
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A Ghost Story (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
David Lowery
Genres
Drama , Fantasy , Romance
Original language
English
Studio
A24
Budget
$100K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Ghost Story About?

The premise of A Ghost Story without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A gentle spirit, played by Casey Affleck, lingers in his home after his death, observing the grief of his wife, portrayed by Rooney Mara. Bound to the house, he watches as time passes and new inhabitants arrive, confronting the enduring power of memory and the complexities of loss. The film explores themes of existence, connection, and the passage of time through a poignant and contemplative narrative.

A Ghost Story Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • death of husband
  • sitting on the floor and eating
  • surrealism
  • loneliness
  • legacy
  • ghost
  • loss
  • hiding notes in a house
  • young widow
  • invisibility
  • hospital
  • haunting
+38 more
  • looking out a window
  • watching someone
  • being watched
  • subtitled scene
  • smashing dishes
  • memory
  • voice over conversation
  • poem
  • rhyme
  • book
  • prologue
  • implied nudity
  • pajama bottoms
  • kiss
  • kissing someone's eyelids
  • knocking on a door
  • writing a note
  • rain
  • vomiting
  • flash forward
  • painting a door frame
  • little girl
  • toy train
  • christmas tree
  • toy laser beam gun
  • card trick
  • reference to ludwig van beethoven
  • atheist
  • existence of god
  • humming
  • construction site
  • broken lightbulb
  • despair
  • building site
  • business meeting
  • office building
  • skyscraper
  • reflecton in a window
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Cast & crew

A Ghost Story Cast

Casey Affleck leads the cast, with Rooney Mara and Barlow Jacobs. Directed by David Lowery; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from David Lowery

More films directed by David Lowery, best-rated first: Pete's Dragon, Ain't Them Bodies Saints, The Green Knight and Mother Mary.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Ghost Story Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Ghost Story 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 84 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (65).

75 /100

A Ghost Story Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, A Ghost Story delivers a reflective and unconventional cinematic experience that balances striking visual originality with measured pacing. Critics highlight its bold direction and haunting emotional resonance, while some viewers praise its intimate portrayal of loss and memory. Conversely, others find the extended static shots and slow tempo challenging or disengaging. The film’s unique tone and sustained atmosphere create a memorable meditation on love and time, producing a compelling yet polarizing impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of art and craft, A Ghost Story showcases a distinctive visual style through its 4:3 aspect ratio and extended static compositions. Critics commend the eerie framing and deliberate production design, while some viewers perceive the lengthy shots as overindulgent. This balanced approach yields a striking yet occasionally polarizing visual identity.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character and emotion, A Ghost Story offers a subdued yet affecting portrayal of grief and connection. The leading actors convey depth through minimalistic performance and nuanced facial cues, prompting praise for emotional resonance. However, some viewers feel the expressionless specter and sparse dialogue limit character warmth. Overall, the film achieves a quietly potent but occasionally detached emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, A Ghost Story emphasizes an original structure and deliberate pacing over conventional narrative momentum. Critics note its offbeat progression and rewarding final moments, while others criticize the extended static sequences for hindering engagement. The film’s measured tempo underscores its thematic meditation but can create an uneven experience that divides audience engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    Regarding sensory experience, A Ghost Story crafts an immersive atmosphere through minimalist sound design and evocative musical cues. The ambient soundtrack and subtle diegetic sounds enhance the film’s haunted tone, as critics praise its moody resonance. Conversely, some viewers find the austere audio and visual restraint too sparse. Ultimately, the film’s sensory approach fosters a haunting and contemplative environment that may feel austere to some.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    For rewatch factor, A Ghost Story’s thematic depth and distinctive tone offer rewards for viewers seeking reflection on love and time. Critics suggest the film’s contemplative structure reveals new insights upon multiple viewings, while some find the slow pacing reduces repeat engagement. The film therefore holds enduring appeal for those drawn to its meditative qualities but may deter viewers preferring dynamic narratives.

Plot

A Ghost Story Plot Summary

What happens in A Ghost Story from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A musician resides with his wife in a quaint home located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Despite her desire to relocate, he is firmly against the idea. One fateful night, an unexplained noise emanates from their piano, leaving them puzzled about its source. Tragedy strikes when the man meets his untimely end in a car accident.

Full summary

The whole story of A Ghost Story, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

A Ghost Story Box Office & Budget

A Ghost Story grossed $2 million worldwide on a $100,000 budget, 20 times what it cost. $1.6 million came from the US and Canada and $355,312 (18%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$2M

20× its budget

US & Canada
$1.6M
International
$355.3K
Budget
$100K
US & Canada 82% Rest of the world 18%
Videos

A Ghost Story Trailers & Videos

10 videos: 1 trailer, 3 clips and 6 featurettes.

All 10 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip "Ghost Chat" Official Clip
  • Clip "Stay" Official Clip
  • Clip "Universe" Official Clip
  • Featurette Ghosting Casey Affleck - David Lowery
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Ghost Story?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What significant event disrupts the musician and his wife's harmonious life?

Cars

Cars in A Ghost Story

5 cars on screen, including the Caterpillar 963 C and the 2001 Hyundai Elantra.

All 5 cars
  • Caterpillar 963 C in A Ghost Story Caterpillar 963 C Minor role
  • 2001 Hyundai Elantra in A Ghost Story 2001 Hyundai Elantra Minor role
  • 2000 Ford Focus in A Ghost Story 2000 Ford Focus Background role
  • 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara in A Ghost Story 2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara Background role
Details

A Ghost Story Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Una hitoria de fantasmas” and “A GHOST STORY ア・ゴースト・ストーリー:2017”.

Also known as
  • Una hitoria de fantasmas
  • A GHOST STORY ア・ゴースト・ストーリー:2017
  • A GHOST STORY ア・ゴースト・ストーリー
  • Une histoire de fantôme
  • История призрака
  • Bir Hayalet Hikayesi
  • Призрачна история
  • 鬼魅浮生
  • História de Um Fantasma
  • סיפור רוחות רפאים
  • Sombras da Vida
  • Kísértettörténet
+11 more
  • Storia di un fantasma
  • Прича о духу
  • Історія примари
  • Historia de fantasmas
  • 고스트 스토리
  • Přízrak
  • 再見魅了緣
  • Vaiduoklių byla
  • Một Câu Chuyện Ma
  • ผียังห่วง
  • Kummituslugu

Seen A Ghost Story?

FAQ

A Ghost Story FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of A Ghost Story, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Ghost Story?

A Ghost Story runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was A Ghost Story released?

A Ghost Story was released on July 7, 2017.

Who directed A Ghost Story?

A Ghost Story was directed by David Lowery.

More films by David Lowery

Who is in the cast of A Ghost Story?

A Ghost Story stars Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara and Barlow Jacobs, among 10 credited actors.

How much did A Ghost Story make at the box office?

A Ghost Story grossed $2 million worldwide ($1.6 million domestic, $355,312 international) on a budget of $100,000.

How is A Ghost Story rated?

A Ghost Story has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

Does A Ghost Story have a post-credit scene?

No. A Ghost Story has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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