A Useful Ghost review reveals an exhilarating black comedy where a haunted hoover summons the ghosts of Thailand’s traumatic past. This stylish debut from Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke won the critics’ week grand prize at Cannes last year, blending supernatural fantasy with national grief.
Plot and Premise of A Useful Ghost
The film follows a queer academic (Wisarut Homhuan) writing a paper on a frieze from Bangkok’s Democracy Monument. When his new vacuum cleaner starts coughing up dust it just inhaled, he calls customer service. Repairman Krong (Wanlop Rungkumjad) arrives with eerie speed and explains the factory that made the hoover is haunted.
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Flashbacks reveal a worker named Tok (Krittin Thongmai) who collapsed from ingesting poisonous dust, becoming a poltergeist. The bad karma extends to the factory owner’s family, including Nat (Davika Hoorne), the young daughter-in-law.
Key Themes and Symbolism
A Useful Ghost tackles Thailand’s unresolved historical traumas: the 2010 military crackdown, coup d’etats in 2006 and 2014, and the 1976 Thammasat University demonstrations. The haunted hoover becomes a metaphor for how the nation violently effaces its past, creating toxic dust clouds.
- Supernatural black comedy that balances humor with deep sadness
- Elegant compositional flair with dreamlike tableaux
- Erotic and disquieting atmosphere throughout
- Homage to Thai master Joe Weerasethakul’s spiritual realism
- Western ghost film influences like Ghost and Truly, Madly, Deeply
Comparison Table: A Useful Ghost vs. Similar Films
| Film | Director | Theme | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Useful Ghost | Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke | National grief via haunted hoover | Black comedy, sad, erotic |
| Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives | Joe Weerasethakul | Spiritual reincarnation | Meditative, mystical |
| Ghost | Jerry Zucker | Love beyond death | Romantic, dramatic |
| Truly, Madly, Deeply | Anthony Minghella | Grief and haunting | Romantic, melancholic |
Why This Film Stands Out
A Useful Ghost is heartfelt and elegant, with crisp editing that juxtaposes dreamlike scenes. The whole effect is disquieting, erotic, and terribly sad. Boonbunchachoke envisions a Thailand vigorously pulverizing its inconvenient past, making the film both a ghost story and a political commentary.
FAQ
What is A Useful Ghost about?
A Useful Ghost is a black comedy about a haunted vacuum cleaner that coughs up dust from Thailand’s traumatic history, including military crackdowns and coup d’etats. It follows a queer academic and a repairman uncovering supernatural secrets.
Who directed A Useful Ghost?
The film was directed by 39-year-old Thai filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke. It won the critics’ week grand prize at Cannes in 2024.
What themes does the film explore?
The film explores national grief, historical trauma, and the violent erasure of Thailand’s past. It uses supernatural elements to address events like the 2010 military crackdown and the 1976 Thammasat University demonstrations.
In summary, A Useful Ghost review showcases a must-see debut that blends humor, horror, and history. Its haunted hoover is a brilliant device for summoning ghosts of the past. Don’t miss this Cannes-winning gem.
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