- Title: Ghost Town: An American Terror
- Director: Owen Conway
- Writer: Owen Conway
- Cast: Eva Hamilton, Becky Jo Harris, Amelia Haberman
- Release: March 7, 2023 (DVD and VOD)
- Distribution: UncorkD Entertainment and Production: ZipCat
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Reviewed by: Mother of Movies
Skip to a Specific Section
A character study laid out in this indie horror “Ghost Town” is available for rent and on DVD from March 7th. Distributed by Uncork’d Entertainment, the story follows a man called Solomon who wanders into a broken-down bar in the middle of the desert. A crooked sheriff and a righteous sidekick take care of any wrongdoings with some bumps in the street from time to time. When the bar’s owner, Hagan, gives Solomon a chance by employing him to work the bar and clean the piss pools, he thinks his luck might have changed.
Narrative Struggles and Genre Confusion
I thought Ghost Town was trying to be narratively similar to one of my favorite horror movies, Southbound, but instead, it takes a more somber route and tells the story of one man’s torment. The runtime eventually starts to drag, weighed down by a bit of confusion as the story ramps up. Is it a love story between Solomon and one of the prostitute characters that turns sour? Is it a case of one man’s bad luck, in that some bad guys come in and try to rob him one day, resulting in something eating at him, killing them all? His mental downfall was an aspect I struggled to understand in full.
Is Ghost Town a Good Movie?
Performance and Direction
The performances in Ghost Town are what you would expect of a budget-challenged independent film. While writer-director Owen Conway did an impressive job wearing as many hats as he could, including the lead, there were some of the more serious moments becoming slightly comical. Not from any of the main characters, mind you.
Visual Style and Technical Execution
Makeup effects are a bit rough at times, but to be honest, I’ve seen markedly worse. There is something to be said for indie movies that opt out of on-screen gore to save cash, and I think that was the right choice here. While lots of filmmakers like to darken the lighting to cover these sorts of things, Ghost Town keeps it bright. And to be fair, some of the more blue or yellow colors end up taking on an ethereal look, which I liked.
Final Thoughts on Ghost Town
I’m not entirely sure what happened by the closing act, but I was invested for the most part, and that’s the main thing. Available as a rental on Prime Video.
I give Ghost Town
2 Ambiguous endings out of 5
The cast of Ghost Town is Eva Hamilton (Death Kiss), Becky Jo Harris (Spiked), and Amelia Haberman (The Covenant). The title was released on DVD and Digital on March 7 from Uncork’d Entertainment.
Comparing Ghost Town to Other Desert Horror
For fans of desert-set horror, Ghost Town attempts to carve its own niche. While it doesn’t quite reach the narrative cohesion for me, the film blends psychological torment with supernatural elements and deserves recognition. The moral ambiguity of Solomon’s situation… Is he a victim of circumstance or architect of his own destruction? Keeps viewers engaged even when the plot meanders. Owen Conway’s multi-hyphenate approach (writer-director-star) shows he probably should delegate more, and with a slightly tighter script and clearer vision for the final act, this could have been a standout indie horror entry. As it stands, Ghost Town is an interesting title with memorable scenes that will appeal most to viewers who appreciate lo-fi horror with philosophical undertones.
Films with a Desert Backdrop
If you just can’t go past a movie with desert settings, watch any of these titles for more red sand: HIM (2025) is a sports horror movie / Prey (2024) has lions / Vermines (2024) begins in the desert where the spiders are found / Dig (2023) follows a man who has to dig a hole. The classics like The Hills Have Eyes (watch trailer on YouTube) and Southbound (watch trailer on YouTube) are classics you should have already seen, but if you haven’t, do that first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ghost Town (2023)
Is Ghost Town (2023) Worth Watching?
Ghost Town offers a unique take on desert-set horror with an ambitious narrative approach. While it struggles with pacing and clarity in its final act, the film’s atmospheric visuals and Owen Conway’s multi-faceted involvement as writer, director, and lead actor make it an interesting watch for indie horror enthusiasts. If you enjoyed films like Southbound or appreciate low-budget horror that prioritizes story over gore, Ghost Town is worth a rental.
