Overview
A poignant exploration of friendship and identity in a quirky world of misfits.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- acerbic
- deadpan
- melancholic
- reflective movie night
- indie film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Terry Zwigoff's intelligent adaptation for its acerbic deadpan wit, nuanced performances, and unusually perceptive depiction of adolescent alienation.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Enid and Rebecca have finished high school but lack clear plans for work, college, independence, or adult identity.
Enid's blue hair, punk sensibility, disdain for conventional people, and habit of mocking strangers shape her relationships and worldview.
Enid and Rebecca begin as inseparable friends but respond differently to the pressures of post-school life and independence.
The story connects Enid with Seymour, a socially isolated collector of old 78 records, while surrounding them with unusual community figures.
Films like Ghost World, and why
Welcome to the Dollhouse
acerbic coming of age, outsider protagonists, deadpan humor, and uneasy movement into adulthood
Frances Ha
female friendship, alienated young adults, sardonic comedy, and unconventional romantic entanglements
Napoleon Dynamite
awkward social outsiders, dry comic observation, melancholy adolescence, and emotional disconnection
American Splendor
graphic novel adaptation, eccentric loners, dark humor, and bittersweet character development
Movie Details
- Director
- Terry Zwigoff
- Release Date
- 2001-07-20
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (1639)
Cast
- Thora Birch
- Scarlett Johansson
- Steve Buscemi
- Brad Renfro
- Illeana Douglas
- Bob Balaban
- Stacey Travis
- Charles C. Stevenson Jr.
- Dave Sheridan
- Tom McGowan
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Ghost World about?
- Two sardonic graduates confront the loneliness and uncertainty of adulthood when an outsider record collector disrupts their carefully cultivated detachment.
- What is Ghost World like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Ghost World as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Ghost World violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Ghost World.
- What did critics think of Ghost World?
- Critics broadly praised Terry Zwigoff's intelligent adaptation for its acerbic deadpan wit, nuanced performances, and unusually perceptive depiction of adolescent alienation.
- Which films are like Ghost World?
- Films with a similar feel include Welcome to the Dollhouse, Frances Ha, Napoleon Dynamite, and American Splendor.
- How long is Ghost World?
- Ghost World runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch Ghost World?
- In United States, Ghost World streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
