O Estranho Caso do Fantasma Claustrofóbico

The Strange Case Of The Claustrophobic Ghost is a Mexican children's horror, that is part coming-of-age romance, part mystery, and- only slightly- part horror film.

What I liked about it, is that it's written to teach kids about the different natures of the variety of entities to which the general term "ghost" is applied.

Breaking down the different reasons that dead people could end up haunting...alongside an explanation of the qualities they might exhibit in their ghostly forms.

Such as those who haunt as a result of their attachment to the material world; to those who don't realize they are dead; and those trapped on this plane as a result of a traumatic death or suicide.

The main character is a young teenager, who possesses the ability to actually see these ghosts...and believes his closet is haunted by the spirit of another young man, who claims ownership over his room.

He teams up with his little brother, and school crush, to investigate the identity of this young man.

In hope that they can collectively work together to help him move on.

And, perhaps, heal the wounds of others in the process.

Although I wasn't a huge fan of the digital effects used to portray the ghosts.

The film really is quite sweet - being a bit of a tearjerker.

With a cast of likeable characters, you can't help but root for.

It's quite similar to other recent films like We Have A Ghost.

As it's more a coming-of-age flick, that's light on the horror, and has a feel good ending.

4 out of 10.

This what american cinema lacks, solid writing, likability in casting and children an adult can feel like is not slapped in the writing.

I have to admit the racism in the voiceovers, with lispy mexi, Hispanic dub. That was absolutely shameful.

This is a rare kids movies that is entirely enjoyable. The children are multi-faceted with backgrounds, not some petulant spoiled, entitled brats.

The script doesn't wander off and is well written to include all the pertinent characters at the correct story line and plot. The ghost is developed and not an afterthought to enhance the most obvious plot.

I'm looking forward to watching the movie again, it works from beginning to end. Even the give up mom.