Writer/director Matthew Packman returns with The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die; the latest chapter in the continuing saga of vein-drainin’ vampire Devin Crane (played again by Lanae Hyneman) that began with 2021’s Morbid Colors and continued on in 2023’s Real Cool Time.
Now dig, ol’ Devin is not only a vampire, she’s also a tortured rock musician who’s as deft at a threesome as she is at feasting on the blood of unsuspecting members of said trysts.
Along with that, Devin’s career is hitting a bit of a rough patch resulting in decreasing venue sizes which in turn leads to less bread in her pocket, the resentment of her band-mates, and the distrust of her management. … but in truth, she has only herself to blame for all that, as her worsening sanguine addiction is becoming increasingly obvious to those in her life.
As if the above isn’t stressful enough, Devin is also currently being haunted by a ghost from her past…
As in the past two entries, The Ghost That Wouldn’t Die is a “stylish as F” (that’s pro reviewer lingo, baby!) entry in the Crane saga… and to that end, this go-around features both stark black and white photography and sequences with limited, yet vibrant hues (see stills below to see what I mean), and the story travels a bit back and forth chronologically speaking, which mirrors the chaotic state of Devin’s mind (as does that aforementioned color biz).
Speaking of Devin as we are, Hyneman is once again excellent and skillfully and believably leads us through her characters shit-show situation (itself an allegory for addiction… and with our main character being both a rockstar and a vampire damn well better be… and a returning Kara Gray as the ghost of Myca Murray (watch the other entries for more on that… but the way this film is put together the story plays fine if you haven’t seen the previous installments) is an ethereal presence to behold.
Special call out to the, at times nerve jangling), score from Nick Nylen that really is a sweet piece of (at times) suitably abrasive sonic excellence.
Will we see more of Devin, only Packman knows… but count me in for whatever bloody business comes next!
