## Ghosts of Red Ridge: A Low-Budget Western with Supernatural Twists
Ghosts of Red Ridge is a low-budget western that unexpectedly incorporates elements of horror. Initially, I assumed the “Ghosts” in the title were metaphorical, perhaps representing certain characters. However, the film surprised me with actual ghostly appearances, delivering a few genuinely creepy scenes—low-budget horror, to be sure, but effective nonetheless. Beyond these chilling moments, however, the film’s strengths are limited. While the storyline holds promise, the dialogue and some of the acting are underwhelming, and many scenes drag at a snail’s pace. Overall, it’s not a terrible film, but it’s not one I anticipate revisiting.
The movie opens in the small town of Red Ridge in 1878, employing classic Western tropes: a stranger arrives, a gang plots a heist, and a poker game introduces the sheriff and his deputy. Dialogue establishes Red Ridge’s increasing crime problem, which the lawmen are struggling to contain. Unlike many westerns I’ve seen (admittedly, not a vast number), the sheriff’s evening takes a supernatural turn, amplified for the audience with appropriately eerie music. A predictable twist then ensues, challenging the sheriff’s established notions of good and evil.
The cast was unfamiliar to me. While this isn’t inherently negative, it didn’t enhance my viewing experience. Some actors appeared to be reciting lines learned moments before filming, lacking the emotional depth required for their roles. A line like, “I reckon I’ll have to telegraph the governor’s office,” delivered in anticipation of a climactic showdown, falls flat due to the preemptive intervention of supernatural forces (mild spoiler). This diminishes the tension considerably.
Despite its shortcomings, the film’s minimal jump scares and horror elements are entertaining, and the premise and overall story are passable. The scenery is beautiful, and the special effects are decent. However, I wouldn’t wholeheartedly recommend Ghosts of Red Ridge unless you’re craving a barely adequate, new action western.