Movie review
November 18, 2021 · 124 min · PG-13 · Comedy · Fantasy · Adventure
Ghostbusters: Afterlife follows single mother Callie and her children Trevor and Phoebe as they move to a rural Oklahoma town after inheriting land from Callie's late father, Egon Spengler of the original Ghostbusters team. The family uncovers paranormal threats tied to Egon's secret work and joins with allies to confront an ancient danger using science, courage, and family knowledge. Phoebe emerges as the main driver of the new Ghostbusting efforts through her inherited scientific mindset and determination, fitting the established family legacy in the story.
Why 19%? See the score breakdownBreakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Woke representation / casting
Phoebe serves as the central competent young female lead in science and action, directly tied to her grandfather Egon's established traits and the family legacy plot. Supporting roles include incidental racial diversity among children without emphasis on identity signaling or quota-style placement in prominent positions. Patterns stay moderate and story-justified rather than audience-visible representation priorities.
25%
Woke political dialogue
Dialogue centers on family history, scientific explanations of ghosts, humor, and practical problem-solving. No activist speeches, identity discussions, or political messaging appear in the narrative.
0%
Identity-driven story themes
Main themes focus on family legacy, generational reconciliation, estrangement and forgiveness, and young people taking responsibility. Phoebe's arc stems from inherited traits and plot setup rather than identity politics or social justice framing.
10%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The film presents a positive, nostalgic view of the original Ghostbusters team, small-town life, science, and heroism. No framing critiques traditional institutions, gender roles, capitalism, or Western culture through modern activist lenses.
0%
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. New characters expand the universe through Egon's family line in ways consistent with prior films. Original team members return in respectful, non-altered cameos without ideological reinterpretation.
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Audience and fan reactions stayed mostly positive with praise for story focus and legacy respect. Pre-release director comments sparked some online debate from progressive voices, but post-release complaints accusing the film itself of pushing woke or DEI content stayed minimal and fringe.
0%
Creator track record context
Team includes Dan Aykroyd with documented public statements on social issues alongside producers and crew showing mild or low documented activist patterns. Director Jason Reitman shaped a legacy-focused story honoring originals with limited evidence of recurring identity-driven creative emphasis across his work.
22%
Production
