Ghosts of Goldfield

Ghosts of Goldfield, directed by Ed Winfield and featuring Kellan Lutz, Marnette Patterson, Mandy Amano, Scott Whyte in pivotal roles, is a 2007 American supernatural horror film set in Goldfield, the eponymous deserted mining town in Nevada. This atmospheric thriller taps into rich folklore and ghostly folklore, delivering an entertaining yet spine-chilling narrative.

The film focuses on five college students who make their way to this desolate ghost town, with the intention of documenting the historical and paranormal background of the infamous Goldfield Hotel for a class project. The Goldfield Hotel, as per popular legend, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Elizabeth Walker, a woman who was brutally murdered in Room 109 by the hotel's proprietor, George Winfield, during the early 20th century.

As expected, the team includes a diverse set of characters. These include Kellan Lutz as Chad, the team's cameraman and skeptic who isn't too keen on joining his classmates; Marnette Patterson as Julie, the project's enthusiastic leader who is obsessed with ghost hunting; Scott Whyte as Mike, the rational science major; Mandy Amano as Keri, the nerdy history major documenting every detail of their journey; and Chuck Zito as Uriah, the moody bad boy of the group. These five students end up being entangled in more than they had bargained for, particularly with a spirit seemingly hell-bent on avenging her death.

Befitting its genre, Ghosts of Goldfield revels in a tense atmosphere thick with foreboding, as well as the wonderfully eerie, deserted setting of Goldfield town. The minimalistic landscapes, the eerie starkness of the town, the lingering dust of deserted memories, heighten the sense of dread and isolation that pervades the film. The constant switching between the found footage and traditional cinematic styles adds an extra layer of intrigue and suspense to the unfolding story.

Starting off as a seemingly tame adventure soon morphs into full-blown horror, complete with bumps in the night, flickering lights, spectral apparitions, and all the well-loved tropes of haunted house cinema. The tension slowly builds as spooky incidents happen around them. The group is nonetheless determined to uncover the truth behind the urban legends that surround the Goldfield Hotel, bringing them face to face with something truly otherworldly and menacing.

The performances are formidable too. Kellan Lutz gives a convincing performance of a non-believer increasingly questioning his skepticism; Marnette Patterson emulates ardor and zest for her character's ghost hunting obsession; and Scott Whyte and Mandy Amano round out the solid supporting cast.

Subtly layered with an undercurrent of fear throughout, Ghosts of Goldfield contrives to get under the skin of its viewers. It delivers an engaging blend of paranormal horror, a potent sense of dread, and enough suspense to keep audiences on their toes until the very end.

Ghosts of Goldfield is a well-made supernatural ghost thriller. It is an example of good, old-fashioned ghostly storytelling that neatly packages its plot within an atmospheric setting. It sticks loyally to the genre's rules while managing to create moments that will send slight shivers down the spine of even the most hardened horror movie aficionados.

Ultimately, Ghosts of Goldfield is a movie for those who love a good ghost story, the kind that leaves you wondering about what just happened long after the credits roll. It amps up the tension, throws in some genuinely creepy moments, and serves as a memorable addition to the horror genre. Whether you're one who enjoys getting spooked or one who thrives on every thrilling moment of horror films, Ghosts of Goldfield is definitely worth a late-night watch.