You’re not going to find another movie this year quite like Ghosts of the Ozarks. It’s a sleek, stylish horror western with a clever concept and a great cast that includes David Arquette, Angela Bettis, and Phil Morris, just to name a few. Further, there are a few well-earned plot twists that keep the narrative engaging, even if it’s bogged down by lengthy dialogue-heavy scenes and pacing issues at times.

Matt Glass and Jordan Wayne Long directed the film, based on their 2016 short. It stars Thomas Hobson as James “Doc” McCune, a doctor invited by his Uncle Matthew (Morris) to be the new town physician in the Ozarks in 1866. Initially, the Ozarks seem harmonious. No one judges the young doc because he’s Black. It seems like a utopia until he learns about “ghosts” that keep residents trapped inside the town’s walls. As the narrative progresses, the doc learns even worse secrets about some of the townsfolk, including his uncle, whose avarice and greed lead to a sinister conclusion. The reveal regarding the uncle’s true intentions sparks a well-earned climax and a major reveal about what the ghosts are.

This is a film with a few memorable characters, not only James and Uncle Matthew but also the blind Torb (Tim Blake Nelson), who runs a saloon with Lucille (Bettis). Their dynamic is odd and strangely endearing. They even burst into song now and then. In fact, one of their duets about a third of the way into the film is one of my favorite scenes. There’s also the town’s former physician turned hunter Annie (Tara Perry) and Arquette’s well-intentioned Douglas. Everyone here gives a good performance, but there are sequences when not a whole lot happens. If the film was cut by 15-20 minutes, it would have been stronger, as it suffers from pacing issues.

That said, the set designs, costumes, and colors pulled me into this world. This is a highly stylized film. Some of the characters’ personal stories and “ghosts” are arresting, too. In one scene, James recounts to Annie fighting in the Civil War and nearly dying after Confederate troops trampled his tent, pulled him about a half a mile, and left him for dead. He carries a physical scar from this horrific incident and mental scars, too. It’s a well-scripted, tension-filled moment that isn’t as bloated as some of the other dialogue-heavy sequences. Additionally, Glass’ score deserves props. It’s excellent.

The film does manage to blend genres well. It’s part western, part mystery, and part horror. There are a few nasty kills, though they’re quite spread out. The genre-bending generally works well, and watching this cast interact with each other is utterly delightful. Many of them worked together on the stellar 12 Hour Shift, which included Glass and Long’s involvement, too.

Overall, Ghosts of the Ozarks contains a well-executed and clever premise. The visuals pop but parts of the film feel longer than they should. Despite some pacing issues, the film deserves a watch for its excellent cast, set designs, and score.

6 Out of 10