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Poster for The Ghost Writer

The Ghost Writer

Seen it?

2010 | 128 min | Thriller, Mystery

Saturday Special

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It earned strong reviews (84% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Tense, harrowing.
The pace
Fast-moving, at 2 hr 8 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG-13: peril. Probably too much for younger kids.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A writer stumbles upon a long-hidden secret when he agrees to help former British Prime Minister Adam Lang complete his memoirs on a remote island after the politician's assistant drowns in a mysterious accident.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    84% on Rotten Tomatoes, 77 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.8 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Silver Bear for Best Director. Also nominated for 1 more Berlin award. Plus 23 other awards.

  • Box office & staying powerSolid

    $60 million worldwide on a $45 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 179K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Roman Polanski

  • Ewan McGregorThe Ghost
  • Pierce BrosnanAdam Lang
  • Kim CattrallAmelia Bly
  • Olivia WilliamsRuth Lang
  • Tom WilkinsonPaul Emmett
  • Timothy HuttonSidney Kroll
  • Jon BernthalRick Ricardelli
  • Tim PreeceRoy
  • Robert PughRichard Rycart
  • David RintoulStranger