Three years after the creatives closed the door on Button House, the gang of Ghosts are back, this time making the jump to the big screen for a perfectly-timed Autumnal treat.
When it debuted in 2019, one could see Ghosts last a series, a strange curio of the Horrible Histories team attempting the jump from family friendly sketch comedy to the sit com scene. But thanks to its combination of broad comedy, a roster of warm characters, and an underlying melancholy to proceedings (loss, grief and longing all bubble away within the central dead characters), it unlocked something and became a firm staple of the pandemic era, playing out over five seasons and a pair of Christmas specials. And now fans can return to the series with this well-judged transition to the big screen.
Ghosts picks up proceedings several months after the last time we saw the gang and they are living a lonely existence, with Button House awaiting conversion into a hotel. But all this changes when a group of teenagers, which opens up the possibility of a reunion with Alison (the former Button House owner who has the ability to see ghosts) and her husband, Mike.
By this point the roster of characters fit their actors like a glove (with several of the actors also sharing writing credits). The film judges well in the time it spends with each character, with enough character development to progress things whilst allowing for an increasingly romping quality as the narrative progresses. I’m not sure we need the addition of a B-plot involving eco-protestors but by the time the scope expands in the finale it all comes together well. And the inclusion of teen character Jack (Scott Ellis Watson) gives the film an even richer emotional depth.
For Ghosts novices I’m not sure there’s much here, for all of the film’s numerous charms. The joy of The Possession of Button House is in the return to the series. We all know these characters, know what makes the likes of Pat, Kitty and Thomas tick. Director Simon Hynd (who directed 15 of the TV shows episodes) marshals proceedings well and there is enough of a sheen for this to feel like a big screen experience. But as with most TV-to-film works, we’re not here to be wowed but for it all to hold together and for us to spend some time with our favourites. And this is pulled off with aplomb, to such an extent one would gladly take one of these movies every few years. I suspect we’ll be back at Button House again in the near future.
Ghosts: The Possession of Button House
Summary
Like spending an afternoon with a group of close friends, Ghosts: The Possession of Button House is a warm hug of a movie that is sure to please fans of the series.
