A Useful Ghost (2025) is a Thai supernatural black comedy-drama and international co-production between Thailand, France, Singapore, and Germany.
Directed and written by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke in his feature debut, the film stars Davika Hoorne, Wisarut Himmarat, Apasiri Nitibhon, Wisarut Homhuan, and Wanlop Rungkumjad.
The story follows March, a grieving husband living in a polluted Thailand, whose deceased wife returns by possessing a household vacuum cleaner. The premise blends absurd humor with deep political commentary and an emotional exploration of grief.
Premiering at the 2025 Cannes Critics’ Week, where it won the Grand Prix, the film’s surreal concept and adult themes have drawn strong critical attention. It was released internationally through festival circuits and global arthouse distributors throughout late 2025 and early 2026.
A Useful Ghost Age Rating
A Useful Ghost holds an official adult rating in most regions. In countries like Australia and Hong Kong, it is classified R18+ and Category III for explicit sexual content, graphic violence, coarse language, and mature political allegory.
The film contains scenes of a strongly sexual nature involving unconventional objects, including a surreal relationship between a man and a possessed vacuum cleaner, which is presented both humorously and graphically.
Its third act features escalating, stylised violence as spirits possess household appliances and attack human characters, delivering intense sequences that mix gore with dark satire.
The language throughout the film is consistently strong and includes explicit insults. The narrative further deals with death, grief, political violence, and societal erasure, making it emotionally and thematically heavy for younger audiences.
Violence & Peril
The film includes scenes of exaggerated supernatural violence, often presented in a dark comedic style. Ghosts possess appliances like refrigerators and attack characters with strong physical force, creating bloody and chaotic moments.
The atmosphere grows intense in the third act as past political violence is referenced and depicted metaphorically through the destruction of spirits representing erased victims.
Some sequences featuring electroshock therapy are disturbing because of their sound design and emotional context rather than realistic gore. Although the violence is stylised, its tone and themes are not suitable for younger viewers.
Language
Strong profanity appears frequently, including harsh insults and explicit sexual slurs. Characters speak bluntly and aggressively during conflicts, and the dialogue includes coarse language used for both comedic and dramatic effect. No racial slurs are highlighted in reviews, but the profanity level as a whole is high and repeated throughout the film.
Mature Themes
The film explores complex and adult subject matter such as death, grief, political repression, historical erasure, and the emotional trauma of losing a spouse.
There are scenes involving explicit sexual behavior, including unconventional intimacy between a human and a vacuum cleaner, which serve as satirical representations of loneliness and denial.
The narrative incorporates queer themes, moments of same-sex intimacy, and commentary on societal discomfort with difference. The political allegory highlights past massacres and repression, making the themes heavy for younger audiences even when the presentation is surreal.
Is A Useful Ghost Suitable for Teens?
Ages 13–15: No. The film’s explicit sexual content, strong language, and violent supernatural sequences are far beyond what is appropriate for young teens. The narrative’s emotional weight and political commentary also exceed their developmental level.
Ages 16–17: No. Even older teens may struggle with the graphic sexual scenes and surreal intimacy involving a household object. The stylised violence and disturbing imagery also contribute to the film’s adult-only classification in many countries.
Ages 18+: Yes, for mature audiences. Adults comfortable with surreal black comedy, political allegory, and explicit themes will appreciate the film’s artistic intentions. Viewers should expect a mix of absurd humor, queer elements, and social critique presented through provocative storytelling.
Final Recommendation: Due to explicit sexual content and intense mature themes, A Useful Ghost is recommended only for viewers aged 18 and older.
What Parents Can Do
- Discuss the film’s political allegory before viewing, especially how it represents erased histories and marginalized communities through ghost imagery.
- Prepare sensitive viewers by explaining that the sexual and violent scenes are surreal satire rather than realistic depictions.
- After watching, encourage a conversation about grief, repression, and how societies hide uncomfortable truths.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for A Useful Ghost?
A: The film holds adult ratings such as R18+, Category III, and 18+ across most countries due to explicit sexual content, violence, and strong language.
Q: Is A Useful Ghost appropriate for teens?
A: No. Its graphic sexual scenes and intense themes make it unsuitable for teenage viewers.
Q: Does the movie contain violence or scary scenes?
A: Yes. The film includes surreal but bloody violence involving possessed appliances and references to past political massacres.
Q: How strong is the language in the film?
A: The movie contains frequent profanity and explicit insults used throughout the dialogue.
Q: Is there sexual content in A Useful Ghost?
A: Yes. It includes unconventional intimate scenes involving a possessed vacuum cleaner and additional adult sexual content.