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The Ghost Writer

Play trailer Poster for The Ghost Writer PG-13 2010 2h 9m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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84% Tomatometer 206 Reviews 70% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
When a successful ghostwriter, The Ghost (Ewan McGregor), agrees to finish the memoirs of Adam Long (Pierce Brosnan), England's former prime minister, his publisher assures him it's the chance of a lifetime. Instead, he begins to uncover evidence that suggests his late predecessor knew a dark secret about Lang and may have been murdered to prevent it from coming to light.
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The Ghost Writer

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Critics Consensus

While it may lack the revelatory punch of Polanski's finest films, Ghost Writer benefits from stylish direction, a tense screenplay, and a strong central performance from Ewan McGregor.

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Critics Reviews

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Deborah Ross The Spectator This isn't a great film. You won't carry it around in your heart for years to come... But it'll keep you with it right to the very end, which has to be worth something. It may even be worth quite a lot. Aug 30, 2018 Full Review Ed Koch The Atlantic The dialogue and suspense created by director Polanski are first rate. You will enjoy this film. Jan 13, 2018 Full Review Andrew Sarris Film Comment Magazine In the total context of Polanski's hard life and grim ordeals ... The Ghost Writer constitutes a miracle of artistic and psychological resilience. Jun 20, 2013 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review A subtle and elegant thriller Rated: 4/4 Aug 22, 2023 Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) The first impressionable thriller of 2010. [Full review in Spanish] Oct 5, 2022 Full Review Stuart McGurk NME (New Musical Express) It's the kind of film that comes along all too rarely, and you find yourself hoping it won't be his last. Rated: 4/5 May 19, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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thiago s Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 08/07/25 Full Review Kim P The final shot was the only thing of any unusual value in this exceedingly boring film. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 07/08/25 Full Review mark g Visually stunning. This film is a masterpiece in cinematography. You see elements of Hitchcock and De Palma. Every scene is a cross between elegance and sterile, just so clean. There is no sunlight, all overcast or stormy. This atmosphere creates a suspense that slow burns for the full two hours. Suppose I could talk about the plot and acting, but for me, this film was always about the visuals. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 06/16/25 Full Review John C The sound track was intrusive it gave it a 70’s TV detective series feel. The ending wasn’t supported at all by the plot. How does the Ghost Writer string it all together with practically 0 references during the film. Only to be discovered at the very end, then killed? (Sorry). Rated 1 out of 5 stars 05/15/25 Full Review Audience Member Another great Polanski hit. It's a murder mystery suspense thriller told from the point of view of the memoire ghost writer for a politician who is suspected of deception and abuse of power. The movie has a great flow and you're kept engaged throughout as the plot twists and turns with a completely unexpected end. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/03/25 Full Review Jed C A suspenseful spin in the tradition of Alfred Hitchcock. A few too many names to keep track of easily, so do your best to keep remember, but it all comes together in a worthwhile surprise ending. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/29/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

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Roman Polanski

Director

Ewan McGregor

The Ghost

Pierce Brosnan

Adam Lang

Kim Cattrall

Amelia

Olivia Williams

Ruth Lang

Timothy Hutton

Sidney Kroll

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a successful ghostwriter, The Ghost (Ewan McGregor), agrees to finish the memoirs of Adam Long (Pierce Brosnan), England's former prime minister, his publisher assures him it's the chance of a lifetime. Instead, he begins to uncover evidence that suggests his late predecessor knew a dark secret about Lang and may have been murdered to prevent it from coming to light.
Director
Roman Polanski
Producer
Roman Polanski, Robert Benmussa, Alain Sarde
Screenwriter
Robert Harris, Roman Polanski
Distributor
Summit Entertainment
Production Co
Runteam III LTD, France 2 Cinéma, Elfte Babelsberg Film GmbH, R.P. Films
Rating
PG-13 (Brief Nudity|A Drug Reference|Language|Sexuality|Some Violence)
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 19, 2010, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$15.5M
Runtime
2h 9m
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