How a Haunted Server Sparks Humanity

MOVIE REVIEW
Glitched
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Genre: Paranormal, Sci-Fi, Comedy
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 32m
Director(s): Zoe Quist
Writer(s): Steven Grabowsky
Cast: Abigail O’Regan, Elijah Rowen, Jack McEvoy, Donal Brophy, Mischa Barton, Amelia Crowley, John Connors, Barry John O’Connor, Janine Fitzgerald, Martin Phillips
Where to Watch: shown at the 2025 La Femme Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: In an industry obsessed with sequels, reboots, and déjà vu properties, GLITCHED feels refreshingly original — a small film that dares to merge virtual reality, haunted castles, and comedy without losing sight of its heart. Director Zoe Quist combines humor, tech, and the supernatural into a story that’s as much about human connection as it is about CGI ghosts. The result is an adventure that shines brightest when it leans into its charm rather than its chaos.

Set against the landscapes of Ireland, the film follows siblings who turn their grandmother’s crumbling castle into a cutting-edge VR experience — only to accidentally open a supernatural rift. From that premise alone, you can sense Quist’s balancing act: innovation colliding with centuries-old hauntings. What could’ve been a throwaway gimmick becomes a lively mix, combining elements of ghost stories, tech comedies, and family dramas into something unpredictable and strangely wholesome.

Abigail O’Regan leads with a conviction that grounds the fantasy. She plays one half of the twin duo with equal parts curiosity and determination, embodying the kind of protagonist who carries both the humor and the weight of discovery. Elijah Rowen and Jack McEvoy add energy, while Donal Brophy gives the film a mischievous streak. And then there’s Mischa Barton — delivering a small but meaningful performance that adds weight for anyone who remembers her early-2000s rise. Barton’s presence is symbolic of the film’s tone: familiar faces in an unfamiliar setting, bridging eras and sensibilities.

Quist has a knack for taking high-concept ideas and infusing them with emotion. Here, she uses the supernatural framework to explore themes of ambition, legacy, and self-worth. The haunted castle becomes more than a backdrop — it’s a symbol of what’s inherited and what’s redefined. The twins’ desire to modernize their family’s past mirrors Quist’s approach as a filmmaker: resurrecting old myths with new technology and fresh voices.

Behind the scenes, GLITCHED stands as a model of inclusive filmmaking. With an international cast and crew, Irish production company Bon Films, and a women-led creative team, the project goes beyond lip service to representation. Quist and producers Maria O’Neill and Susan Wright not only tell a story about collaboration but practice it. Their mentorship program across key departments — giving emerging artists hands-on opportunities — reflects a genuine investment in the next generation of filmmakers. That ethos pulses through every frame, giving the movie a sincerity that’s impossible to fake.

Cinematographer Aiden Gault captures the Irish countryside with cinematic warmth, using the castle’s architecture as both wonder and warning. The VFX work by Glass Knight is particularly noteworthy for an indie production — ambitious, playful, and often better integrated than in films ten times the budget. Post-production from Raygun keeps the pacing snappy, even when the narrative dips into chaos. Some sequences stretch their welcome, particularly when balancing the VR aspects with the ghostly subplot, but the film always finds its footing again through character-driven humor.

The screenplay by Steven Grabowsky occasionally leans too heavily on exposition, especially when explaining the VR technology and lore, yet it’s filled with genuine wit and warmth. The dialogue captures the awkwardness of family and the absurdity of the supernatural without losing sincerity. Quist’s direction avoids parody — GLITCHED knows it’s a bit ridiculous, but it never turns into a joke at its own expense. That balance, equal parts sincerity and spectacle, is what makes the movie linger longer than you’d expect.

There’s also a surprisingly poignant aspect beneath the digital chaos. At its core, GLITCHED isn’t about haunted technology but haunted people — those trapped by regret, fear, and the shadows of what could’ve been. The virtual space becomes a metaphor for escapism, while the ghosts serve as reminders that you can’t code your way out of grief or guilt. It’s a sentiment that elevates the film from novelty to commentary, proving Quist’s genre work carries more heart than most studio offerings.

GLITCHED ultimately succeeds because it doesn’t treat its concept as a gimmick. It’s not content to be “Scooby-Doo meets Silicon Valley.” Instead, it embraces sincerity in a genre that often hides behind irony. It wants to make you laugh, then make you feel — and it largely does. With its inventive premise, heartfelt performances, and inclusive message, this is the kind of film that might not make headlines but will absolutely win hearts.

It’s easy to root for a movie like this: a production that’s funny, weird, and unashamedly hopeful. In a year filled with cynical horror and soulless spectacle, GLITCHED dares to be heartfelt — a ghost story about connection, family, and finding meaning in the mess. It might not be flawless, but it’s full of life, and sometimes that’s what matters most.

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[photo courtesy of BON FILMS]

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