Top 10 Things To Know Before Watching Ghostbusters: Afterlife

We mentioned how “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” wrapped up principal photography in 2019, but there was already a buzz prior to that when the new cast members were announced. Among them was Finn Wolfhard from the “It” and “Stranger Things” franchises, which seems to be a pretty good fit. That’s because “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” seems to relish in bringing back horror elements to the franchise’s largely comedic legacy. Of course, the “Ghostbusters” movies are funny, but we think it’s important to remember that the first movie also had some pretty good scares, so we’re looking forward to what “Afterlife” has to offer for a new generation.

There’s usually an embargo placed upon media journalists for when they’re allowed to publish their reviews and critical analysis of an upcoming film. This is true with “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” as well, but the advance leaked buzz behind the film seems to be nothing but positive. Much of this has to do with the aforementioned screening at CinemaCon, the aftermath of which has had both news and social media sites buzzing with enthusiasm. Blogs, YouTube channels, and even USA Today have been singing the praises of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” which is just what the franchise needs to stay afloat after a disappointing 2016 reboot… but more on that later.

“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” marks the return of a Reitman to the director’s chair for the first time since “Ghostbusters II” in 1989. This time, however, it’s not the OG Ivan Reitman coming back to the fold, but his son Jason. Jason Reitman is known for helming movies like “Juno” and “Thank You for Smoking,” and he co-wrote the script for “Afterlife” with his dad back on as producer. In fact, both father and son have already shared a screening of the final product together, as detailed in an interview Jason did for Empire Magazine in January. Jason told Empire that his father felt “proud” and that he reportedly cried after finishing the film.
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Some movies are shot on a soundstage, others jet set to multiple locations, but for others, setting is everything. “Ghostbusters” is one of those movies, a quintessential New York picture where the city itself serves as its own character. “Afterlife” is the first time these characters and their story leave the city limits since this new entry centers its tale to Oklahoma. It sort of makes sense that giving a new film this deviation from the source material would set it in a place so intrinsically different from the Big Apple. In a way, it almost feels as if “Ghostbusters” had to leave in order to find itself.

The world of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” has moved on from the events of both “Ghostbusters” and “Ghostbusters II.” This is sort of a big deal since the entire premise of the second film was the mess and ill will the boys had built up after what is now referred to as “The Manhattan Crossrip of 1984.” In this new entry, the exploits of the original Ghostbusters are remembered by a diehard group of fans and old-timers, but the modern pop culture landscape has moved on, with their adventures mostly being a distant memory.

Speaking of “Ghostbusters II,” a recent interview co-star Ernie Hudson did with ScreenRant confirmed that “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” will follow plot points from both the first and second films in the franchise. It remains to be seen, however, which plot points will be carried on from the sequel. Will we see any references to Peter MacNichol’s Janosz? How about a potential return for Vigo the Carpathian? It’s actually sort of refreshing to see a franchise embrace all of its past, as opposed to something like David Gordon Green’s “Halloween,” which only focused on the first film. We’re excited to see what’s next.

There’s already a wealth of talk about the Easter Eggs present within the trailer for “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” and who knows what other franchise callbacks we’ll see with the final product? We’re already stoked on the Stay-Puft teases and the dusty remains of the Ecto-1. There’s even a new ghost named “Muncher” who looks suspiciously like a certain green guy we all know and love. Although it remains to be seen how much “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” will lean into the nostalgia of these easter eggs, we certainly appreciate the thought of their inclusion.

Yes, “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” not only features a great new cast, but also a bevy of familiar faces making a welcome return to the series. One notable exception is Rick Moranis, who seems to be largely retired from the spotlight, while Harold Ramis is sadly no longer with us, having passed away in 2014. Other than this, however, Dan Akyroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray, Annie Potts, and Ernie Hudson have all signed on to reprise their roles. This is not only cool for the audience, it’s an encouraging stamp of approval that “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” will be what all fans have been hoping for and more.

Although the original “Ghostbusters” is almost universally beloved, fans are usually split as to whether or not they enjoyed the sequel. This divisiveness can also be applied to the 2016 reboot, which has some defenders, but for the most part, left a sour taste in the mouths of many “Ghostbusters” fans. This new film seems to be echoing that sentiment by ignoring the Paul Feig-directed entry. And honestly? We kind of get it. After all, having two sets of New York-based Ghostbusting companies doesn’t make sense, nor should there be two Ecto-1s. Instead, expect “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” to pretend like 2016 didn’t happen, and bring it all back to 1984.