Ghostlight

Movie Trailer

Release Date
June 14, 2024

Genre
Drama

Cast & Crew

• Keith Kupferer as Dan Mueller
• Dolly de Leon as Rita
• Katherine May Kupferer as Daisy Mueller
• Tara Mallen as Sharon Mueller
• Hana Dworkin as Lanora
• Tommy Rivera-Vega as Lucian
• Alma Washington as Moira
• H.B. Ward as Jonah
• Dexter Zollicoffer as Greg
• Deanna Dunagan as herself
• Francis Guinan as Janitor Fran

Director
Kelly O’Sullivan, Alex Thompson

Producer
IFC Films, Sapan Studio

Writer
Kelly O’Sullivan

Production Company
IFC Films, Sapan Studio

Distributed By
IFC Films, Sapan Studio

Running Time
1h 55m

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
R (Restricted)

Content Advisory

• Grief and loss themes
• Emotional conflict
• Some violent scenes
• Language

Movie Story
“Ghostlight” tells the story of Dan Mueller, a construction worker struggling with the mounting pressures of his personal life. He is deeply affected by the wrongful death lawsuit he’s pursuing against his late son Brian’s ex-girlfriend, Christine Hawthorne. Brian’s tragic suicide has cast a shadow over the Mueller family, leaving them in a state of unresolved grief. At the same time, Dan faces disciplinary challenges with his teenage daughter Daisy, whose past in theater seems distant as her interest has faded. His stress manifests when he assaults a motorist at work, which leads to an unexpected encounter with Rita, an actor at a community theater. She invites him to read for a part in their upcoming “Romeo and Juliet” production, planting the seed for his connection to the world of theater.

As Dan becomes more involved with the theater, he faces tensions with his wife Sharon, who is trying to heal the family by planting a garden over the site of Brian’s death in their yard. Conflict arises when Dan erupts at Daisy for walking over this sensitive area. His burgeoning friendship with Rita, who plays Juliet, complicates matters further. During rehearsals, Dan finds solace in the theater community but witnesses disturbing tensions between Rita and her co-star playing Romeo. Rita strikes the actor when he questions her age suitability for Juliet, mirroring the raw emotional turmoil Dan himself experiences. Through this, Dan shares the story of Brian’s death with the cast, and his vulnerability strengthens his bond with them.

As the production of “Romeo and Juliet” progresses, Dan lies to his family about his growing involvement in the play, claiming to still be at work. Daisy, suspicious of his behavior, discovers the truth and is drawn back into the world of theater. The shared creative space helps them both heal. However, Sharon’s growing doubts about Dan’s honesty come to a head when she learns from his coworker that he is on leave. Accusing him of infidelity, Sharon forces Dan to confess his connection to the theater. Moved by Dan’s vulnerability, she grants the cast permission to use the school gym for their performance, casting Daisy as Mercutio, and the family begins to mend.

At the climax, Dan faces the challenge of performing Romeo’s suicide. Encouraged by Daisy, he taps into the depth of his grief over Brian’s death, drawing a parallel between the characters’ emotional journeys and his own. The lawsuit against Christine becomes a pivotal moment as Dan realizes he has been misplacing his grief onto her, ultimately tanking the case. This decision leads to conflict with Sharon, but it also allows him and Daisy to finally confront their loss. The film concludes with a poignant, moving performance of “Romeo and Juliet,” where the Mueller family, still grieving but now united, finds a sense of closure as they embrace after the play.

Special Effects
“Ghostlight” relies more on emotional weight and character-driven storytelling than special effects. The use of theatrical lighting and staging plays a significant role in enhancing the narrative, especially during scenes involving the play within the film.

Filming Locations

• Chicago, Illinois
• Local community theater venues

Notable Quotes

• “You can’t build a garden over the past and hope it disappears.” – Dan Mueller
• “Romeo’s not dead. Not really. We never forget them, do we?” – Rita
• “This stage, it’s all we have to make sense of anything.” – Daisy

Behind-the-Scenes
The role of Dan Mueller was specifically written for Keith Kupferer by screenwriter Kelly O’Sullivan, who had worked with him previously. Kupferer’s real-life family members also joined the cast, with his daughter Katherine playing Daisy and his wife Tara taking on the role of Sharon.

Awards

• Pending

Final Verdict
“Ghostlight” offers a stirring exploration of grief, healing, and the role that art plays in processing emotional trauma. The film’s interweaving of real-life challenges with the cathartic release of theater is both poignant and powerful. Keith Kupferer delivers a standout performance as Dan, capturing the pain and complexity of a father grappling with loss. With emotionally resonant performances and a thoughtful screenplay, “Ghostlight” is a deeply moving drama that will resonate with audiences long after the final curtain falls.