Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- witty
- eerie
- late night horror comedy
- cult movie night
What critics said
Critics found the film's acting and script appealing within its comedy-horror setup, though its energy and romantic resolution weaken in the second half.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film combines a vengeful ghost and threats to the town with comic social awkwardness, family dysfunction, and absurd supporting characters.
Raymond is forced out of his big-city apartment and back into his parents' small-town household after failing to find work despite his MBA.
Raymond can channel the paranormal yet is mystified by basic romantic conversation with Becca.
The ghost mystery unfolds alongside Raymond's conflict with his overbearing mother, ex-jock father, and former classmates.
Films like Suburban Gothic, and why
The Frighteners
Shared comedy horror blend, supernatural investigation, eccentric characters, and irreverent tone.
Beetlejuice
Shared ghost-centered horror comedy, comic paranormal encounters, and offbeat genre sensibility.
Odd Thomas
Shared small-town supernatural mystery, dark humor, and quirky outsider protagonist.
Housebound
Shared horror comedy, haunted domestic spaces, and a balance of romance with paranormal danger.
Movie Details
- Director
- Richard Bates Jr.
- Release Date
- 2014-07-19
- Runtime
- 90 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (149)
Cast
- Matthew Gray Gubler
- Ray Wise
- Kat Dennings
- Sally Kirkland
- Jeffrey Combs
- John Waters
- Mackenzie Phillips
- Barbara Niven
- Muse Watson
- Mel Rodriguez
Common questions
- What is Suburban Gothic about?
- A jobless paranormal medium returns to his suffocating hometown and teams with a tough bartender to confront a vengeful ghost.
- What is Suburban Gothic like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Suburban Gothic as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Suburban Gothic violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Suburban Gothic as moderate.
- What did critics think of Suburban Gothic?
- Critics found the film's acting and script appealing within its comedy-horror setup, though its energy and romantic resolution weaken in the second half.
- Which films are like Suburban Gothic?
- Films with a similar feel include The Frighteners, Beetlejuice, Odd Thomas, and Housebound.
- How long is Suburban Gothic?
- Suburban Gothic runs 90 minutes.
