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Alan Ritchson’s ‘Ghosts of War’: The Ultimate Horror-War Movie Twist You Won’t See Coming

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There’s been lots of talk about Alan Ritchson, not all of it positive, but it’s clear that he has significantly influenced the genre of “military action” over the past few years. In the series ‘Reacher’, Ritchson portrays Jack Reacher, a former major in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps. His military background serves him well when dealing with lawlessness, and the friends he made during his service remain steadfastly loyal to him.

In Guy Ritchie’s film “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” Chris Ritchson plays Anders Lassen, a Danish military officer who was the sole non-Commonwealth recipient of the Victoria Cross during World War II. In this movie, Lassen plays a crucial role in Operation Postmaster, a covert black-ops mission aimed at sabotaging the Nazi U-boat supply operation on the Spanish-controlled island of Fernando Po. Notably, Ritchson had also starred in another World War II film titled “Ghosts of War” in 2020, making it an interesting choice for fans who enjoy both horror and war genres.

Members of an Airborne Infantry Face a Different Kind of Threat in ‘Ghosts of War’

In “Ghosts of War,” director Eric Bress showcases his knack for horror and cinematic ingenuity, a skill that is particularly evident in this film. This war-themed movie immerses us immediately into the boiling pot of the Allied advance through France during World War II.

A team of five soldiers, namely Private Butchie (Alan Ritchson), Lieutenant Chris (Brenton Thwaites), Corporal Eugene (Skylar Astin), Private Kirk (Theo Rossi), and Private Tappert (Kyle Gallner) from the 82nd Airborne Division in America, have been assigned to safeguard a château in France that was earlier controlled by Nazi forces. Upon their arrival, they experience peculiar occurrences, such as unsettling sounds and a recurring Morse Code transmission from the fireplace that says, “I have no legs.” Furthermore, they start having vivid dreams about the Helwig family, who were tragically killed by Nazis because they had been hiding Jews within their home.

The soldiers later stumbled upon a diary penned by a German solider that outlined the tragic deaths of the Helwigs. The father met his end in flames, the daughter was strung up and hanged, and the son was submerged in a bathtub. Meanwhile, Eugene was deciphering another Morse code transmission when, strangely, his hand began moving on its own, forming the letters, “If you depart, you perish.

It’s evident that the warning was heeded, yet the troopers decide they must depart from this nightmarish locale. However, their efforts to exit lead them to discover they are ensnared in a time loop, repeatedly experiencing their arrival at the chateau and all the gruesome events that have transpired thus far. Thus, quick problem-solving becomes essential. After brainstorming various strategies, they deduce that providing a proper burial for the Helwigs might pacify the supernatural entities.

Following the funeral, an unexpected turn of events occurs. Instead of continuing in German, the diary’s text mysteriously switches to Arabic. In a shocking and bizarre twist for a horror-war movie, it is revealed that the Helwigs are actually Afghan, contrary to the initial assumption that they were French. Furthermore, these soldiers weren’t veterans of World War II; instead, they had fought in the war in Afghanistan.

One of their main objectives was to safely transport a family known as the Helwigs, who were assisting the Americans. However, when an Islamic State patrol attacked them, the soldiers chose to conceal themselves and tragically watched as the Helwigs were mercilessly killed. Before she breathed her last, the mother of the family uttered the word “Vetrulek,” an ancient curse believed to bring endless torment. You’ll have to discover for yourself why the movie was set during World War II and why it started with scenes of Nazis.

‘Ghosts of War’ Utilizes the Best Narrative Elements of the Horror and War Genres

In many terrifying films, the antagonist (or antagonists) is often so formidable or cunning that the protagonists struggle to defeat them. Instead, they spend their time scrambling to stay alive rather than directly challenging the danger. From “Saw” to “The Thing,” there are numerous instances of this pattern.

In the film “Ghosts of War,” I found myself utterly intrigued by a narrative structure that had me on the edge of my seat. The troopers, much like myself, were baffled as they encountered supernatural forces within the château. As the chaos unfolded, it was a whirlwind of intense, Tarantino-esque gore, punctuated by moments of panic-stricken actions that were almost laughably heroic. Their weapons seemed futile, and their escape attempts proved fruitless as they were trapped in a time loop. Left with no other choice, they clung to hope. Given that director Eric Bress is known for his work on two “Final Destination” movies, this level of suspense and intrigue was not surprising at all.

In my opinion, the most powerful war movies are those that depict soldiers experiencing hardships instead of having an effortless victory against their adversaries. These films strive to portray war truthfully as a demanding endeavor, not just a carefree adventure for boys with minimal injuries. For instance, consider “Full Metal Jacket,” where the characters endure grueling training at boot camp and subsequently fall victim to a deadly sniper in Vietnam. Similarly, think of “Lone Survivor,” where highly skilled SEALs meet their demise at the hands of Afghan fighters, leaving only one survivor behind.

In “Ghosts of War,” the soldiers endure much hardship as they find themselves trapped in a haunted mansion, which deeply affects them emotionally. What makes their ordeal even more harrowing is that the spirits attempt to harm and eliminate them using the same tactics that were employed against the Afghan family members. It isn’t until the very last scenes of the film that relief finally arrives; however, a hint is dropped that a new danger may be lurking in the darkness.

‘Ghosts of War’ Came Out at the Worst Time

This film, titled “Ghosts of War”, should have catapulted its stars to greater fame within the Hollywood industry. However, due to its release during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, it remained largely unknown. Following a brief run in cinemas (earning just $345,289), it was moved to DirecTV. Unlike many similar horror movies produced during this period, this film offers a genuinely terrifying experience and is often shockingly brutal in its intensity.

At the point when his film was launched, Alan Ritchson hadn’t yet attained leading-man status. Despite his roles in popular series such as Blue Mountain State, Black Mirror, Smallville, and Titans,, Hollywood still considered him a secondary performer. Consequently, his inclusion in the film didn’t boost its financial performance.

If “Ghosts of War” were released today, it might achieve greater success for several reasons. Firstly, the current movie theater environment is particularly favorable for a film’s success. Secondly, Alan Ritchson, the lead actor in this film, has gained immense popularity and demand worldwide. Currently, he has five movies scheduled for release, including a Christmas action comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Awkwafina, and an action thriller reminiscent of the early “Fast & Furious” films.

For fans of Alan Ritchson who enjoyed his performances in “Ghosts of War” and “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare”, here’s some exciting news: Alan Ritchson isn’t finished with war-centric films yet. The actor will be starring in an upcoming movie titled “War Machine”. This film revolves around the last trainees of a military special ops boot camp, who encounter a lethal force from another world. The premise is intriguing, and we’re optimistic about the final product given that Patrick Hughes (known for “The Hitman’s Bodyguard” and “The Expendables 3”) will be directing the film.

Currently, several upcoming releases are yet to arrive for months. Therefore, this moment offers an excellent opportunity to delve into the intricacies of war through the movie “Ghosts of War.” Despite its shortcomings in character development and a slight emphasis on pacifist activism, the film stands out as a significant milestone in its genres. It pushes boundaries by exploring two significant global conflicts within just 90 minutes, a feat rarely achieved.

In essence, it provides a visual representation of the madness that often drives powerful nations to embrace mindless brutality in pursuit of vague objectives at an unthinkable cost. You can catch it on Apple TV+ and Fandango at Home. However, be prepared as the events become quite eerie.

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2025-05-06 04:03

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