Ghost Trail: Review
Set at the heart of the Syrian Refugee Crisis, Ghost Trail, or Les Fantomes, builds a political thriller with political commentary that extends beyond the typical genre tropes of corruption. The film follows “Amir” (Adam Bessa) as he looks for his lost friend from his homeland of Syria. However, as the film progresses, “Amir” is revealed to be more than a man seeking his friend; instead, Amir is a covert agent hunting down war criminals. Writer and director Jonathan Millet takes a global issue to the street level, making Ghost Trail a personal and engaging analysis of the Refugee Crisis.
Set at the heart of the Syrian Refugee Crisis, Ghost Trail, or Les Fantomes, builds a political thriller with political commentary that extends beyond the typical genre tropes of corruption. The film follows “Amir” (Adam Bessa) as he looks for his lost friend from his homeland of Syria. However, as the film progresses, “Amir” is revealed to be more than a man seeking his friend; instead, Amir is a covert agent hunting down war criminals. Writer and director Jonathan Millet takes a global issue to the street level, making Ghost Trail a personal and engaging analysis of the Refugee Crisis.
Originally introduced as “Amir”, Ghost Trail quickly reintroduces him as his actual name, “Hamid”, a man taking odd jobs throughout Europe in search of information and his lost “friend.” Millet sets up Hamid’s network of agents, communicating over video game chats as they hunt down the men who tortured and killed their loved ones during the war. From the setup of the organization to Hamid’s resourcefulness, Ghost Trail carries the brains of a spy film but the heart of a politically conscious drama.
Even without the frenetic car chases or fight sequences, Ghost Trail has some Bourne Identity influences. Yet more than The Bourne Identity itself, Millet takes influence from Bourne writer Tony Gilroy. Millet packs the script with tension as Hamid moves closer to his target. Beyond mere tension, Ghost Trail shines most in its timing, allowing each new layer of plot or character beat to make a maximum impact on Hamid’s journey. Adam Bessa’s performance as Hamid brings nuance to the overall narrative, bringing a face to the larger political message.
Bessa’s performance is most noteworthy in Ghost Trail. While the cast is solid from top to bottom, Ghost Trail is Hamid’s journey toward catharsis. Bessa brings subtlety and control to the character, making Hamid’s quest for revenge even more personal and poignant. Along with Bessa’s performance, Millet’s choices to reveal information to the audience in the stadium with Hamid make the story even more street-level. Crafting a street-level story of such a global issue, Millet makes every beat or twist feel earned within this slow-burning character piece.
Ghost Trail is a slow-burn. While the film has the tone of a cerebral spy film, it lacks the precise but sparing action sequences that make Blade Runner or Andor fan favorites. Even without the realm of sci-fi, the perfect mix of action and espionage could make Ghost Trail a must-see political thriller. Nevertheless, Ghost Trail stands as a gripping, true-to-life character drama. Political commentary permeates the subtext and seamlessly blends into character motivations. Bessa is excellent as Hamid, providing the film with a firm foundation to create and resolve tension. But, most of all, Ghost Trail is an up-close look at the Syrian refugee crisis and those most impacted by it. Beyond being a solid festival watch for indie fans, Ghost Trail has the unique ability to make global issues personal, bringing an audience to the POV of those at the heart of the crisis.
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