Movie Review: ‘Ghost Of Red Ridge’

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Ghosts of Red Ridge is a low-budget western with a slightly supernatural twist. I initially thought the “Ghosts” in the title would be a metaphor of some sort, which could fit one or two characters, but I was pleasantly surprised to also find actual ghosts as the movie dips into horror movie level creepiness for a few scenes; low-budget horror, maybe, but it still gave me some chills. Aside from that, there is not much to highlight in this film. The story is interesting, but the dialogue and some of the acting leaves a lot to be desired and the non-“gave me chills” scenes quite often moved at a snail’s pace. Overall, it is not a terrible movie, but it is also not one I will likely watch again.

Set in the small town of Red Ridge in 1878, the movie begins with classic Western tropes; a stranger walking into a small town, a small gang planning a heist from the local shopkeeper, and a poker game that introduces both the sheriff and deputy. The dialogue states that the town has been getting worse with the increasing criminal activity while the sheriff and deputy try to squash it. However, unlike most westerns I have seen (which admittedly is not that many), when the sheriff goes home for the night, he experiences some supernatural phenomena which is heightened for the audience with related horror-style music. There is an unsurprising twist that kind of shakes the sheriff’s views of “good” and “bad”.

I did not recognize any of the actors. This is not necessarily a bad thing in general, but it did not help my view of this movie. Some of the actors seemed like they had just learned their lines a few minutes before filming, or they did not realize what they were supposed to be feeling. “I reckon I’ll have to telegraph the governor’s office” is a line of dialogue spoken when it looks like the scene is setting up for a final gunfight/showdown and there is almost no tension since (mild spoiler), by that point, the supernatural elements have already stepped in to help the “good guy”.

The minimal jump scares and horror elements are entertaining, and the premise and storyline are alright. There is beautiful scenery and decent special effects. But I would not highly recommend this movie unless you are desperate for a barely passable new action western.