Thir13en Ghosts (2001)

When Cyrus Kriticos, a very rich collector of unique things dies, he leaves it all to his nephew and his family. All including his house, his fortune, and his malicious collection of ghosts!

Director:

Steve Beck

Writers:

Robb White (story), Neal Marshall Stevens (screenplay)

Stars:

Tony Shalhoub, Shannon Elizabeth, Embeth Davidtz

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tony Shalhoub	...	Arthur Kriticos
Embeth Davidtz	...	Kalina Oretzia
Matthew Lillard	...	Dennis Rafkin
Shannon Elizabeth	...	Kathy Kriticos
Alec Roberts	...	Robert 'Bobby' Kriticos
JR Bourne	...	Benjamin Moss
Rah Digga	...	Maggie Bess
F. Murray Abraham	...	Cyrus Kriticos
Matthew Harrison	...	Damon
Jacob Rupp	...	Cyrus' Assistant
Mike Crestejo	...	Team Member
Aubrey Lee Culp	...	Team Member
Charles Andre	...	Team Member
Mikhael Speidel	...	Billy Michaels, The First Born Son
Daniel Wesley	...	Jimmy 'The Gambler' Gambino, The Torso

Storyline

Arthur and his two children, Kathy and Bobby, inherit his Uncle Cyrus's estate: a glass house that serves as a prison to 12 ghosts. When the family, accompanied by Bobby's Nanny and an attorney, enter the house they find themselves trapped inside an evil machine "designed by the devil and powered by the dead" to open the Eye of Hell. Aided by Dennis, a ghost hunter, and his rival Kalina, a ghost rights activist out to set the ghosts free, the group must do what they can to get out of the house alive.

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Plot Keywords:

ghost | glass house | slasher flick | slasher | body count | 

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Taglines:

The Only Thing Worse Than Being Trapped in a House with a Ghost... Is Being Trapped in a House With 13 Ghosts

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Genres:

Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for horror violence/gore, nudity and some language

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures [Germany] Warner Bros. [United States]

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 October 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

13 Ghosts

Filming Locations:

Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$42,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$15,165,355, 28 October 2001, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$41,867,960, 23 December 2001

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$26,600,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.,Columbia Pictures Corporation,Dark Castle Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

"The Withered Lover" is the fourth ghost of the Black Zodiac. She is seen walking with an IV with her. IV in Roman Numerals is equal to four.

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Goofs

When the Jackal is attacking Arthur, his left hand disappears and reappears between shots.

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Quotes

Arthur Kriticos: He wasn't too popular. My dad said he squandered the family fortune.
Kathy Kriticos: We have a family fortune?
Arthur Kriticos: Well, no. Cyrus squandered it.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits cast shadows on the scenery behind them.

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Alternate Versions

The Region 1 DVD release includes extensive background information on each of the ghosts as a bonus feature, including footage not used in the final movie, and newly recorded narration by F. Murray Abraham.

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Connections

Spoofed in Scary Movie 4 (2006)

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Soundtracks

Excess
Written by Tricky
Performed by Tricky
Backing Vocals by Alanis Morissette (uncredited)
Courtesy of Hollywood Records/Anti Inc. A Division of Epitaph Records

User Reviews

Great visuals with an above average plot

I see that most people aren't nearly as fond of this one as I am, so I feel compelled to write why I *did* like it.

First, the visuals were really good. Many thrillers have to avoid showing detail about the villains because details end up being fake looking or difficult. This is one of several reasons why so many take place at night. Thir13en Ghosts works around that by giving the protagonists special glasses which allow them to see the ghosts. It's a lot less goofy than seeing it written in this review makes it sound and it means that the movie doesn't have to be shot in the depths of night.

Second, the story was up to the task and original. I'll not dwell on this too much as the story centers around the house and the house is one of the main characters in the movie, but suffice it to say I was pleased with the twists.

This one isn't going to win any awards, but it's a really solid film for it's genre.