Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is a classic 1984 supernatural comedy film that blends humor, fantasy, and mild horror elements. It follows three eccentric parapsychologists, Drs. Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, who start a unique ghost-catching business in New York City after losing their university funding. When an escalation of paranormal activity threatens the city, the Ghostbusters become the unlikely heroes battling ancient deities and mischievous spirits. The film is aimed at an audience that appreciates comedic storytelling intertwined with fantastical monster encounters and special effects. Its content, while rated PG upon release, contains elements that some parents might find more aligned with a modern PG-13 rating.
Concerns
Romance and Sexual Content
HighThe movie contains several instances of suggestive sexual content and implied sexual encounters, often presented humorously but with clear adult implications. While nudity is absent, the themes are overt enough to warrant careful parental consideration.
During a montage sequence, Ray Stantz experiences a dream or encounter where he is pleasured by a female ghost, a scene that has been described as a 'ghostly adult scene' and contributed to a stricter age reclassification in some regions. A possessed Dana Barrett, under the influence of Zuul, explicitly asks Peter Venkman, 'Do you want to marry me, Peter?' followed by 'Do you want to *make love* to me?', indicating clear sexual intent. Additionally, Peter Venkman is consistently flirtatious and attempts to seduce Dana throughout the film, and there is an implied sexual encounter between the possessed Dana and Louis Tully.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighThe entire premise of 'Ghostbusters' is rooted deeply in supernatural and occult themes, featuring ghosts, demonic possession, and ancient pagan deities as central plot elements. This content is explicit and drives the film's narrative.
The main antagonist is Gozer the Gozerian, an ancient Sumerian god/demigod, which is a clear occult reference. Key characters Dana Barrett and Louis Tully become possessed by Gozer's demigods, Zuul the Gatekeeper and Vinz Clortho the Keymaster, leading to physical and mental changes and driving the film's conflict. The film explores interdimensional portals and spiritual entities, making the supernatural and occult not just background but the core subject matter.
Scary & Intense Content
HighDespite its comedic tone, 'Ghostbusters' contains significant scary and intense sequences, including jump scares, disturbing creature designs, and themes of demonic possession that can be frightening for younger audiences.
The film opens with a prominent jump scare involving a librarian ghost transforming into a monstrous form and roaring at Ray Stantz. The demonic 'terror dogs' (Zuul and Vinz Clortho) are visually disturbing and create intense moments as they attack and possess Dana and Louis. The scene where arms burst from Dana Barrett's armchair is particularly unsettling. The climax features a large-scale confrontation with Gozer and the monstrous Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, involving considerable destruction and peril.
Violence
MediumThe film features frequent supernatural violence, including ghost attacks, property destruction, and peril, but generally avoids graphic gore or explicit injury. Combat involves energy weapons used against spectral entities.
Early in the film, the librarian ghost transforms into a terrifying creature, roaring at Ray Stantz. Later, Dana Barrett and Louis Tully are attacked and possessed by demonic 'terror dogs,' which are depicted transforming from stone gargoyles and physically threatening the characters, with arms bursting from Dana's armchair. The Ghostbusters use proton packs and energy beams to capture and contain ghosts, leading to battles that often result in significant property damage, such as during the pursuit of Slimer in a hotel ballroom.
Profanity
MediumThe film includes moderate profanity, with several mild to strong curse words and crude terms used throughout the dialogue. The language is present but not pervasive enough to be rated extremely high.
Characters use terms such as 'hell' and 'damn' occasionally. Peter Venkman uses the term 'bitch' when referring to Gozer as a 'prehistoric bitch.' Other mild profanities and scatological terms, such as 'crap' and 'pissed,' are also heard.
Substance Use
MediumThe movie depicts characters frequently smoking cigarettes and occasionally consuming alcohol, particularly in social settings or to cope with stress.
Several main characters, including Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, are frequently shown smoking cigarettes throughout the film. There are also instances where characters consume alcohol, such as when Ray Stantz and Winston Zeddemore share a drink after a particularly stressful event, indicating its use to relieve tension.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumCharacters, particularly Peter Venkman, exhibit a persistent attitude of sarcasm, irreverence, and defiance towards authority figures and societal norms. The Ghostbusters themselves operate as unconventional outsiders.
Peter Venkman consistently displays a sarcastic and dismissive attitude towards academic officials and later, government figures like EPA official Walter Peck. The Ghostbusters, as a team, are portrayed as rebellious entrepreneurs who initially face skepticism and ridicule from established institutions. Their defiance culminates when they refuse Walter Peck's demand to shut down their containment unit, directly leading to Peck's intervention and the subsequent catastrophic release of all captured ghosts.
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
LowThe original 1984 'Ghostbusters' movie contains no explicit LGBTQ+ characters, themes, or representation. The narrative focuses entirely on heterosexual romantic interests and character dynamics. However, later installments in the franchise introduce elements perceived as queer-coded or explicitly gay characters.
For the original 1984 film, there are no specific characters, scenes, or quotes that suggest LGBTQ+ themes or gender identity exploration. All primary romantic subplots, such as Peter Venkman's pursuit of Dana Barrett, are heterosexual. In contrast, the 2016 'Ghostbusters' reboot features Jillian Holtzmann, whose sexuality is hinted at through flirtatious behavior, with director Paul Feig acknowledging her implied gay identity. More recently, 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' presents a subtextual, queer-coded relationship between Phoebe Spengler and the ghost Melody, which some viewers interpret as romantic, although the actress Mckenna Grace stated her character is not gay.
Anti-Christian Themes
LowThe film's narrative centers on fictional pagan deities and supernatural phenomena. While it engages with spiritual realms, it does not explicitly promote anti-Christian messages, mock Christian beliefs, or depict sacrilegious acts against Christian symbols.
The central antagonist, Gozer, is presented as an ancient Sumerian god rather than a figure from Christian theology. The film portrays a battle against interdimensional entities and ghosts using scientific equipment, operating outside of a Christian religious framework without directly criticizing or opposing it. The absence of Christian figures or symbols being disrespected indicates a lack of anti-Christian thematic content within the film.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
The original Ghostbusters (1984) is recommended for ages 10 and older. While initially rated PG before the PG-13 category existed, its content includes suggestive sexual innuendo, supernatural scares, moderate profanity, and themes of demonic possession that may be too intense or inappropriate for younger children. Parental guidance is strongly advised due to these elements.
Additional Notes
Parents should be aware that while the original 1984 'Ghostbusters' film received a PG rating, many viewers and reviewers note that its content aligns more closely with modern PG-13 standards due to sexual innuendo and intense supernatural elements. Subsequent films in the Ghostbusters franchise, such as the 2016 'Ghostbusters' reboot and 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,' introduce elements of LGBTQ+ representation, including subtly implied relationships and queer-coded characters, which are not present in the original 1984 movie.
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