A USEFUL GHOST

Thailand, France, Singapore, Germany | 2025 | DCP | 130 min. | Thai with English subtitles
Director: Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke
Cast: Davika Hoorne, Apasiri Nitibhon, Wisarut Himmarat
Appliance repairman Krong is summoned to the apartment of a self-described “Academic Ladyboy”, whose vacuum cleaner appears to be haunted. As the two bond, Krong relays the story of an appliance factory heir who was reunited with his dead wife after another vacuum cleaner became possessed by her spirit. A Useful Ghost comes on like a light, absurdist comedy but gradually morphs into something deeper, darker, and more political. For his directorial debut, Thai writer-director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke has crafted a surreal, intensely cinematic ghost story with a lot on its mind. “Boonbunchachoke has made a darkly hilarious film that deserves to be remembered for much more than its shock value” (IndieWire). (BR)