There is simply no other band like Sweden’s GHOST. Blending rock songs big enough to blow the roofs off arenas with a spooky theatricality taking cues from the occult and black metal, they’ve spent the last eighteen years cultivating a remarkably dedicated legions of fans.
Led by the project’s puppet master Tobias Forge, across five studio albums the project has offered up an impressive amount of lore, largely following the different incarnations and characters of Pope Emeritus. With each new era of the band bringing new characters, storylines, and layers for fans to unpick, it seemed only a matter of time until GHOST made the leap into cinema – and now it’s here.
Directed by Forge and Alex Ross Perry ‘Rite Here Rite Now’ is a concert movie, but unlike any you’ve seen before. Combining live footage from the two-night finale of the band’s 2023 ‘Re-Imperatour’ at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum with a narrative arc that expands upon their long-running ‘Chapters’ series, it’s the ultimate celebration of everything they have built.
The world premiere taking place in central London, fans are queued up hours in advance of doors opening. Collecting their tickets, concealed in ominous black envelopes, as they wait to take their seats they swap handmade stickers, posters, and stories of GHOST with one another, eager to witness the next chapter of their beloved project.
There are a few familiar faces amongst the gathered crowd too. Arriving with a killer make-up look inspired by the band’s visuals, Bambie Thug is expecting a “feast for the eyes and the ears”, whilst longtime GHOST fans Creeper are particularly excited.
“It smashes the glass ceiling a little bit for rock and metal bands to see a band do something of this scale,” frontman Will Gould nods.
“When we first started Crepper years ago, one of the main things we were talking about was putting thrills back into punk rock… it’s exciting to see bands doing bigger and bigger stuff.”
“It’s awfully inspiring,” guitarist Ian Miles adds.
“As a band that has sometimes too many ideas, it’s nice to see another band put that into action and for it to actually work!”
Perhaps one of the biggest fans of the band present though is director Alex Ross Perry. Working alongside Forge to bring the rock spectacle to life over the last year, he spoke on the honour of collaborating with the legendary musician.
“I was first and foremost a fan, and if anything keeps me humble and honest… I’m just happy to be there,” he smiles.
“I’m not there to make a name for myself or build up my resume as a great rock and metal filmmaker… I’m a fan. If I can be of service, here I am. It’s a good attitude to bring to something.”
A project made by fans, for the fans, that’s what sits at the centre of every decision made on ‘Rite Here Rite Now’, with the director conscious of how it will be received by the band’s fervent fanbase.
“That’s who it’s made for,” he nods.
“Tobias’ main goal and hope every step of the way is, ‘I hope the fans like this’… He’s always very concerned about that, because the only reason that this could exist is because of the band’s fanbase.”
“When you make a new movie, and you premiere it, it has no fans. No one has ever seen it, so why would they care? But this movie already has tens of thousands of people so ready to like it, so ready to sit with it and appreciate it, to study it and look at some of the props we hid in the set.”
A liberating position to be in as a filmmaker, Forge on the other hand is simply relieved that the project is finally ready to go out into the world. Speaking on the process of expanding GHOST’s vision into a full cinematic feature, he shares:
“As fun as it is, it’s also draining. I’m used to working towards deadlines, but filmmaking is definitely a lot.”
“We’ve been zoning in on this date for the last nine months, so it feels like a giant relief. At points during the making of the film, there was a sense of urgency, especially for everyone who had to answer to someone… now we’re finally here, against all odds.”
Everyone taking their seats to finally take in the immersive experience, as the lights come up nearly two-and-a-half hours later the room is on their feet to applaud the director duo. A movie that changes the game for music cinema, whether you’re a devoted disciple or a curious onlooker, ‘Rite Here Rite Now’ is something special. Bombastic, sinister, and deeply emotional at points, it’s a one-of-a-kind spooky celebration for lovers of all things heavy, guided by some of the most talented creative minds in the game. If you’ve yet to be initiated into the world of GHOST, this is your moment.
‘Rite Here Rite Now’ will premiere in cinemas worldwide over four days on June 20, June 21, June 22 and June 23.