Review: A Useful Ghost at IFFO
Synopsis
Worried about her husband being allergic to dust, Nat, a recently-dead woman, returns as a ghost possessing a vacuum cleaner to clean the house and protect her family from other vengeful ghosts in the house. To become a useful ghost, she needs to get rid of the useless ones.
A self-described “academic ladyboy” is annoyed at the dust caused by the gentrification of his neighbourhood and purchases a vacuum cleaner to clean his appartment. He hears coughing at night and finds that the vacuum has expelled all the dust it had sucked up the previous day. He calls for a repairman who arrives almost instantly and informs him that the vacuum is haunted by a ghost.
Suman, the heir to her late husband’s electronics factory is haunted by Tok, an employee who died on the job. Tok blames the factory for his death and interrupts work by possessing machinery causing all kinds of chaos.
March, Suman’s son, is mourning the recent loss of his wife Nat and their unborn child.
These stories intersect, as we learn that the reason these ghosts stick around is because someone close to them remembers them—a fact that can be exploited in efforts at ghost-busting.
A Useful Ghost was screened as part of “The Gaze” series, curated by Tish Black, at the International Film Festival of Ottawa recently.
Thai filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s dark comedy is funny, visually stunning and thought provoking. I went in expecting a straight-up horror movie but what I saw was quirky and unpredictable, and oddly sincere and thought-provoking.
The post screening discussion hosted by Tish Black with guest Carol Nguyen unearthed aspects of the film that I hadn’t immediately thought about. In a predominantly Buddhist culture in Thailand, the concepts of reincarnation and ghosts are common. Capitalism, oppression, and a caste system with a belief that everyone and everything has their place and use, informs the storylines. All films have a point of view and are political in some sense, and it was very interesting to hear the audience and panelists explore that in the context of the film. Discussions and the opportunity to engage with other audience members on their reaction to films are a uniquely “festival” experience.
The film had its world premiere at the Critics’ Week section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prize.
More info & links:
- Director: Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke
- Cast: Davika Hoorne, Wisarut Himmarat, Apasiri Nitibhon
- A Useful Ghost on IMDB
Jith Paul
Web Designer, Editor, Film Reviewer
Jith Paul is an independent filmmaker based in Ottawa. While pursuing a career as a software engineer, he decided to take a detour to follow his passion for film and filmmaking, establishing Treepot Media in 2010.
He is a co-founder of the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival, where he served on the board until 2024. He is currently the editor of the film613 blog.
When he is not busy fighting crime, he coordinates the efforts of an international team of software developers and service providers as the Team Lead for Digital Development at CPAC, the Cable Public Affairs Channel.
Follow Jith on letterboxd. More at jithpaul.com
He is a co-founder of the Ottawa Canadian Film Festival, where he served on the board until 2024. He is currently the editor of the film613 blog.
When he is not busy fighting crime, he coordinates the efforts of an international team of software developers and service providers as the Team Lead for Digital Development at CPAC, the Cable Public Affairs Channel.
Follow Jith on letterboxd. More at jithpaul.com
