I Am a Ghost


I Am a Ghost, is a 2012 American horror film directed by H.P. Mendoza. It debuted at the 2012 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and was acquired by Gravitas Ventures and distributed in 2014.
The film was acquired by Level 33 Entertainment for its 10th anniversary in 2024.
WWW iamaghost.com

Plot

During an indeterminable time period, Emily, a troubled ghost, is trapped in her own Victorian house, reliving the same daily routines over and over. Unaware of the full circumstances of her death, she struggles with confusion and frustration, unable to understand why she cannot leave the house or move on. Her existence is a lonely and repetitive cycle, with her memories fragmented and incomplete.
Emily's monotonous afterlife takes a turn when Sylvia, a clairvoyant hired to cleanse the house of spirits, begins communicating with her. Sylvia establishes a 'patient/therapist' relationship with Emily, guiding her through a series of sessions aimed at uncovering the truth about her past. Through their interactions, Emily slowly begins to piece together the events leading to her death, uncovering dark and unsettling secrets about her life and the circumstances surrounding her demise.
As Emily delves deeper into her memories, she confronts painful truths and unresolved emotions. The process is both cathartic and terrifying, forcing her to face the trauma she has long suppressed. Sylvia's guidance helps Emily navigate these revelations, but the journey is fraught with challenges as Emily encounters manifestations of her inner turmoil, including a menacing presence that embodies her fears and regrets.

Cast

Production

I Am a Ghost cost roughly $10,000 with a substantial amount of it raised on Kickstarter, $7500 of which was for actual production.

Critical reception

Dennis Harvey of Variety wrote, "within its chosen narrative and physical limitations, the pic is artfully and resourcefully crafted on a small budget." Shawn Handling from HorrorNews.net gave the film a negative review, criticizing the script, acting, and runtime, while also commending the cinematography and special effects. Scott Hallam from Dread Central rated the film a score of three and a half out of five, criticizing the first half as "repetitive", while commending the effects, and finale.

Awards