New stills are out and about for The Ghost (a.k.a. An Taibhse), from writer/director John Farrelly. The film hails from Jackpot Films and marks a world-first in that it is the first Irish-langauge horror film to come from the region.
Farelly’s The Ghost stars Tom Kerrisk (Different, A Hollow Tree) who also composed the film’s score as he did for Farrelly’s previous film. Casting further reunites Kerrisk with Livvy Hill who previously performed together in Farrelly’s 2022 Star Wars shortfilm, “The Lost Jedi,” and also includes Anthony Murphy whose select film and TV credits include Tango In D Minor, Charlie Casanova, and Irish soap “Fair City”.
The Ghost is set in the bleak landscape of post-famine Ireland in 1852 where Éamon (Tom Kerrisk) and his daughter Máire (Livvy Hill) take on a tranquil caretaker role at a secluded Georgian mansion during the harsh winter months. However, what begins as a seemingly tranquil responsibility, soon spirals into terror as they encounter inexplicable phenomena.
Per the film’s long synopsis, The Ghost “delves into the depths of human resilience amidst unspeakable horror, offering a nuanced portrayal of survival and the complex mechanisms through which the mind adapts to protect itself.”
Farrelly is joined by six-time Academy Award-nominated director and screenwriter Jim Sheridan (In The Name Of The Father, Get Rich Or Die Trying, The Secret Scripture) who serves as exec producer. The film performed to a sold out crowd earlier this month at the 36th Galway Film Fleadh, and will next make way for an International Premiere at Frightfest at the 800-seater Odeon Leicester Square in London on August 23.
The director also released a statment about the film which you can read below:
“Being the first Irish language horror film, ‘An Taibhse’ holds a special place for us in terms of both the genre and our culture. We made this film on a modest budget with a small, dedicated team, and we stayed true to the Irish language throughout. The journey from the initial idea to preparing for festival premieres worldwide has been tough but very rewarding. From the challenges of pre-production to filming in the freezing winter, every step tested our limits. Despite these hardships, we poured our hearts into this project and are immensely proud of what we’ve created. It’s an honour to share ‘An Taibhse’ with audiences worldwide. This film shows the power and richness of our language, and the strength of the human spirit in the face of horror. We are proud to have made an Irish language feature film and are excited to see more and more Irish language films being produced. The film delves into very difficult subjects and themes, inspired by a true story of someone close to me who went through what our protagonist Máire experiences. I hope the theme resonates with audiences, emphasising hope and the importance of standing up against evil and wrongdoing.”
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