Ghosted – Review

Getting a film made is no small feat, especially in the indie world where budgets are tight, and the hustle is real. So hats off to anyone who not only finishes a feature but gets it out into the world.

If you’re in the mood for a modern British rom-com that tries to channel the spirit of Bridget Jones with a modern dating-app edge, then Ghosted might just be up your street. Just manage your expectations.

The story centres on Mercy (played by Jade Asha, who also wrote and produced the film), a struggling actress navigating the minefield that is modern dating while trying to hold onto her career and sanity. Fresh out of a messy breakup, she’s soon swept off her feet by Blake – a charming American architect with very strong rom-com boyfriend energy – and things, as expected, don’t go quite to plan.

Now, let’s be clear: Ghosted isn’t reinventing anything. It’s wearing its inspirations on its sleeve, from the plucky voiceover to the awkward social encounters and the ticking time bomb of a 30th birthday looming in the background. The issue is that it’s so reverent to Bridget Jones that it occasionally forgets to be its own thing.

The dialogue ranges from charming to clunky, and some of the comedic moments fall flat. Mercy is supposed to be lovable and chaotic, but she often just comes across as a bit reckless, particularly in the way she drops her entire career trajectory for a man she barely knows.

That said, there are definite bright spots. Asha has charisma, and some of the supporting cast – particularly Mercy’s friends – bring solid energy and warmth. The cinematography is slick in places, especially for a low-budget production, and there are a few moments of authentic humour that cut through the noise.

Visually, the film swings between solid indie polish and what looks like rushed setups under unforgiving lighting, giving a bit of a Youtube fan film feel. The score is pleasant if unremarkable, and while the sound mix is mostly fine, there are a few spots where lines get swallowed up by background noise or overly busy environments. Dragging chairs and supporting artists mouthing words directly in front of the camera really stand out.

Is it a perfect film? No. Is it a disaster? Also no. It’s a heartfelt, if uneven, attempt to tell a relatable story about dating, self-worth, and career pressure. You can feel the personal touches in the script, even if the execution doesn’t always hit the mark.

At the end of the day, Ghosted is the kind of movie you might stick on with a glass of wine and a friend who enjoys shouting “noooo don’t do it!” at the screen. It’s not breaking any new ground, but if you’ve got a Bridget Jones-shaped hole in your romcom-loving heart, this might fill it, at least for an evening

“Torn between her exciting new American and a second chance with Michael, Mercy struggles to decide who is her Mr. Right and who is Mr. Wrong. But spending so much time chasing the men in her life, she begins to lose sight of her career, friends and family and realises she must take stock and consider the most important question… what does she truly want for herself? Open up your heart to this fun-filled, fresh tale of romance, family and friendship that reminds us that sometimes the most important relationship of all is the one we have with ourselves.”

Ghosted is coming to digital on 21 July, courtesy of Miracle Media

Here’s the trailer