Yes, it’s bad and utterly unoriginal in all sorts of ways. And yet, the candid simplicity of the scooby-doo-esque Ghostbusters: Afterlife somehow unfolds a completely unexpected charm. Children screamed at every jump-scare treat, however many, predictable, and all but scary. They laughed at the jokes, although most are terribly cliched and silly—no offence—even for their age. As to the adults, they might not have done any of the above, but even the more snobbishly sceptical like myslef will admit they were touched by the atmosphere and—why not—by the film’s nostalgic Eighties flavour.
Finding my way out in the dim light of the running credits, I am slowed down by a final double cameo and right then, on the crackling sound of the abandoned popcorns under my feet, I wonder what cinema really is about and realise how many incredible hats it can wear.