Ghostkeeper Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		3.5

Ghostkeeper Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 29, 2026

Eager to join the horror cinema gold rush of the late-1970s, co-writer/director James Makichuk tries his luck with absolute fright in 1982’s “Ghostkeeper,” only he forgets to bring absolute fright. The endeavor (co-scripted by Doug MacLeod) intends to explore madness and monsters, doing so around a Canadian lodge located in the middle of nowhere. It’s the stuff of suspense and mystery, but “Ghostkeeper” doesn’t contain any tension, with Makichuk clearly struggling to manage the basics in genre entertainment. There’s a wintry location and some mysterious happenings going on around a seemingly deserted building, but the film just sits around for the most part, showing little enthusiasm for delivering chills, while the story simply never arrives.

Taking a trip into the Canadian wilderness on snowmobiles, Marty (Murray Ord) and his girlfriend, Jenny (Riva Spier), are joined by their friend, Chrissy (Sheri McFadden), electing to invade private property in search of adventure. The trio discovers the Deer Lodge in the middle of nowhere, and it’s seems to be uninhabited, giving the trespassers a chance to settle in for the night when their rides malfunction. As Marty and Jenny dance around their relationship issues, Chrissy remains flirtatious before she disappears completely. Looking for their friend, Jenny and Marty discover the Ghostkeeper (Georgie Collins), the longtime caretaker of the Deer Lodge, and she has her own secrets to hide as the visitors begin to recognize a dangerous presence in the area.

“Ghostkeeper” does have a wonderful winter setting, watching the main characters navigate waist-high snowfall as they try to enjoy a mountainous area. The writing also does an efficient job of establishing characterization, finding Jenny withdrawn, Chrissy forward, and Marty cruel, quick with cockiness and dismissive of others. Perhaps there’s potential in this mix of personalities, and there’s a promise of horror made with opening information identifying the wrath of the Windigo, a “ghost who lives on human flesh.”

“Ghostkeeper” largely ignores putting pressure on the characters, with Makichuk mostly focusing on inane conversations with the explorers, including Chrissy’s admission that she fantasizes about being a prostitute. And the screenplay tries to get something started with Jenny and her family history of mental illness, only to remain vague about the situation in an effort to keep viewers guessing. However, ambiguity doesn’t last for long, though the film takes its sweet time to do anything, with most of the viewing experience devoted to watching the characters slowly inspect the lodge, which isn’t loaded with interesting sites to see. A more defined challenge to personal safety arrives with the Ghostkeeper, but Makichuk denies the pleasures of escalation, keeping matters slow-burn to a point where the movie simply parks for a few scenes, straining to reach a sellable run time.

Ghostkeeper Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The image presentation for "Ghostkeeper" is listed as "newly scanned and restored in 4K from the only known complete 35mm print by Canadian International Pictures." Age is found throughout the viewing experience, with some pinkishness at times, and mild wear and tear. Detail reaches about as far as possible, fighting inherent softness to find some skin particulars, including crude makeup work. Costuming is appreciable, especially with snowmobile suits and assorted winter gear. Lodge interiors are passably dimensional, exploring empty hallways and rooms. Exteriors are limited to a few moments in the movie, but maintain compelling depth. Color isn't powerful, but a basic understanding of hues remains, examining the woodsy look of Deer Lodge and its low-lit layout. Whiteness of snow is mostly intact. Skin tones are largely natural. Delineation has slight solidification at times due to the source. Grain is extremely heavy but reasonably managed.

Ghostkeeper Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA track provides an aged listening experience with some volume fluctuation along the way. Dialogue exchanges lack ideal sharpness, but remain intelligible as the characters manage conversations and cries for help. Scoring isn't crisp, with a slightly muddier sound for dramatic support. Sound effects are blunt.

Ghostkeeper Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet collects an essay by Eric Volmers and an interview with co-writer/director Jim Makichuk.

• Commentary #1 features co-writer Doug MacLeod and actors Murray Ord and Riva Spier.

• Commentary #2 features film historian Amanda Reyes.

• Commentary #3 features The New World Pictures Podcast.

• "Hollywood Canadians" (14:27, HD) is a dual interview with Paul Lynch (audio only) and David Winning (video conference), who offer their memories and thoughts on co-writer/director Jim Makichuk and various elements involved in the creation and release of "Ghostkeeper," which was slapped together with extraordinarily little money.

• "Zaza Begins" (16:14, HD) is a video conference interview with composer Paul Zaza, who walks through his career highlights, discussing work on "Murder by Decree," "Prom Night," "The Kidnapping of the President," "My Bloody Valentine," "Being Different," "Porky's," "Melanie," "Curtains," "American Nightmare," "A Christmas Story," "Turk 182," and "The Vindicator."

• "I Need it Friday" (10:02, HD) is a second video conference interview with composer Paul Zaza, who focuses on his work on "Ghostkeeper."

• "The Window of Opportunity" (15:35, HD) is a video conference interview with co-writer/director Jim Makichuk's brother, Dave Makichuk, who shares personal and professional memories of his sibling.

• "Ghostsneaker" (16:24, HD) is a video conference interview with fan Chris Alexander.

• Interview (13:33, SD) is a talk with actor Georgie Collins, hosted by actor Murray Ord. The interviewee examines her career, often playing "old ladies," which gave her a chance to work. She shares a few memories from the shoot, including time with special effects, including one situation where the production didn't warn her beforehand, hoping to take her by surprise. Characterization is examined, and Collins offers her fondness for stage work.

• Interview (6:37, SD) is a conversation with cinematographer John Holbrook, who examines the Alberta, Canada shoot, working with an extremely limited budget to bring a spooky tale to life. Technical details are shared, examining camera equipment and lighting choices. Cold-weather challenges are highlighted, contributing to the genre intent of the endeavor.

• Q&A (40:43, HD) pays a visit to the Calgary Underground Film Festival in 2024 to celebrate the history of "Ghostkeeper." Panel participants include actor Murray Ord, co-writer Doug MacLeod, and Dave Makichuk.

• "Ghostkeeper 2" (5:59, SD) explores what might have been with a potential sequel to "Ghostkeeper," with co- writer/director Jim Makichuk sharing storyboards and thoughts on a possible follow-up during 2012 Kickstarter campaign.

• "Night School" (2:14, HD) is a 1971 short film by director Jim Makichuk.

• Alternate Opening (1:50, SD) provides an initial scene of suspense created by distributors two years after "Ghostkeeper" completed production.

• A Theatrical Trailer has not been included on this release.

Ghostkeeper Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If you're waiting for a creature feature to break out in "Ghostkeeper," you're going to be disappointed with the film. Makichuk makes a brief attempt to get into Windigo business, but there's no money to bring this part of the story to life, and it's basically abandoned anyway. The material tries to stay psychological instead, but that's a dead end as well, and scenes of menace are exceedingly rare. "Ghostkeeper" is surprisingly inert, and characters are mostly unappealing (you may find yourself rooting for Marty to be killed off), creating a long sit where nothing really happens. Makichuk may be under the impression he's overseeing another "Shining," but what he really has here is a drag.