Every theatre has its own ghosts. Many theatrical superstitions revolve around this – none more relevant (or maybe irrelevant – you’ll have to judge for yourself) to the plot of Gabriel Saint’s Ghost Light (not this one) than that of the ghost light, the practice of always leaving a light on before leaving a theatre – because you never know who might still be hanging around after you leave. And something is definitely hanging around the Rouge Theatre: a small black box in L.A. with a very dark past.

It’s easiest to call this film a slasher movie. But whether it’s a cut-and-dry slasher or a supernatural thriller is left up to the viewer. The whole film has an atmospheric, dreamlike pacing that doesn’t always follow conventional narrative structures. Whether this is meant to evoke the sleepwalking dreams “final girl” Virginia (Maddisyn Carter) regularly experiences, or a consequence of a small budget is hard to say, but it definitely keeps the viewer on their toes in what might otherwise not be a very thrilling thriller. Because here’s the gimmick of the movie: we know who the killer is the whole time, it’s right there in the IMDb description.

Our killer, Joseph (Will Rothhaar), is one of the most obvious murderers in recent horror history, and would be even if we weren’t shown that he was the killer almost as soon as he was introduced. He’s a serial package thief, an almost pathological liar, a bit of a stalker, an auto-erotic(?) asphyxiation enthusiast, and just all-around sleazy. But, then again, some Theater People are just like that, so I can’t fault the other characters too much for not seeing him coming. Acting, baby!

The plot revolves around Joseph trying to stage a play to impress Virginia, his crush, who is on the verge of leaving town. We, the audience, never really find out many details about the play, but it’s interesting enough to attract Virginia and her skeptical actor friends Ivy (Elizabeth Godley) and Jared (Michael Tauzin), as well as house manager Ramen (Garrett Patrick Kirby), who legally has to inform you that he’s an accidental sex offender. Very charming folks. The biggest problem (besides Ivy and Jared’s disdain for Joseph) is the theatre Joseph has rented for the performance. The Rouge Theatre has an infamous history, and strange things start happening soon after production starts, including several appearances by the bloodstained apparition of an actress murdered in the theatre. Still, at Joseph’s insistence, the small cast and crew press on – right up until opening night ends in blood before the show even begins.

As a bit of a Theater Person myself, I appreciated this movie more than I think most will. It’s a love letter to the traditions and superstitions of theater, sealed with a bloodstained kiss. I just don’t think there’s much appeal for those with no involvement or interest in the theater scene, and the plot, despite having some nice ambiguity to it, is nothing Earth-shattering. Storytelling is about the journey, not the destination, but not every journey is fun for every passenger.