This Underrated 2005 Horror Movie Put Beetlejuice Star Michael Keaton on the Other Side of Ghostly Terror

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As a seasoned gamer and connoisseur of all things paranormal, I can wholeheartedly attest that the 2005 horror flick, White Noise, has left an indelible mark on my ghost-hunting gaming journey. Michael Keaton‘s portrayal of Jonathan Rivers, a grief-stricken architect turned ghost whisperer, is nothing short of mesmerizing, especially for those of us who remember his antics as the mischievous Beetlejuice.

If you reach into the void, don’t be surprised when the void reaches back and pokes you in the eye.

Exploring the vague mysteries of what comes after death may not be pleasant, but a grieving spouse, such as the character portrayed by Academy Award nominee Michael Keaton in the 2005 film White Noise (now available on Peacock), should not be judged for making every effort to facilitate one final exchange with a recently departed loved one.

As I played through this game, it felt like a clever nod when they cast Michael Keaton as Jonathan Rivers, the grieving architect turned ghost whisperer. With his role in Beetlejuice, where he terrorized the Deetz family with supernatural tricks, it’s almost as if he’s getting a taste of his own medicine – or should I say, spooks?

For More on Ghosts

The Story Behind Kevin Bacon’s Contractual Requirement to Destroy a Real-Life Haunted House (as portrayed in the 1995 Casper Movie) and the Missed Opportunity of Steven Spielberg’s Secret Cameo

Why White Noise screenwriter wanted to “punish” Michael Keaton in 2005 horror flick

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Whenever I pen a script, I establish some guidelines for myself, and for this particular story, it was, ‘This character must not escape. He should never find respite from his unyielding plight.’ As a fan of films that delve into the supernatural, especially those where the ghosts are antagonistic entities rather than benevolent ones requiring our assistance, I felt it was high time to create a movie that showcases evil spirits. Consequently, this character’s fate will be one of suffering; though entirely innocent and not responsible for his predicament, he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, ultimately leading to his demise.

What is EVP, as portrayed in White Noise?

Following his wife’s tragic drowning, believed to be an accident during her pregnancy and just before the release of her new book, Rivers becomes engrossed in the enigmatic world of Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP), which involves supposed recordings of deceased individuals. This eerie notion takes a darker turn when the grief-stricken architect starts getting messages from malevolent, vulgar spirits. Johnson, reflecting on his experiences while writing the script, recounts the chilling advice he received from real-life psychics: “You don’t trifle with this because wicked people in life are wicked in death.

Essentially, he explained, it’s similar to a child using a Ouija board. They’re essentially warning, “Don’t even think about doing it! You have no idea what you’re meddling with.” Clairvoyants act as guides to safeguard them and they often do so. Instead of dabbling with the Ouija board or recording EVP by sticking a tape into a video recorder, we should utilize clairvoyants as a means to communicate with the deceased. This is because they can shield us from harm. From a research perspective, this intrigued him since this is the main theme of our film.

Approximately midway through, “White Noise” unexpectedly changes direction, transforming into nearly a different film altogether. Initially, it appears to be the tale of a man seeking solace by interpreting messages from his deceased wife hidden within static on VHS tapes. However, it soon evolves into a thought-provoking, high-stakes thriller where the man uses guidance from his departed spouse to prevent future catastrophes.

Johnson summarized his thoughts as follows: “I believe it effectively conveyed the essence of the script. Adapting a story from one medium to another always presents challenges, yet the script served as both a blueprint for the film and a standalone document. It created a grim atmosphere, which was precisely what I desired. It also unexpectedly introduced moments of shock that weren’t in the script, but instead offered exciting opportunities. Overall, I am satisfied with the final product.

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2024-10-21 23:31