Ghosts can be more than just scary stories to tell in the dark. Sometimes, they are a way to talk about what’s been lost or left unresolved. This week’s recommendations aren’t really spooky, but more about exploration and might even warm your heart.
Watch: City of Ghosts (2021)
The Ghost Club, as featured in Elizabeth Ito’s series City of Ghosts.
Although it’s been out for more than five years and even won a freaking Peabody Award, you likely still missed out on the hope and beauty of Elizabeth Ito’s City of Ghosts. The series is only six short episodes, and for me, this is the type of storytelling that could change the world.
I know that might sound a bit dramatic, but hear me out. City of Ghosts is – for all intents and purposes – a kid’s show. It features characters – voiced by actual kids – leading a documentary style project across their Los Angeles neighborhoods. In each episode, they meet a ghost and explore cultural history that’s been washed away by gentrification. The show has been praised for amplifying Indigenous languages and featuring a nonbinary character.
Despite the show’s success, Netflix canceled it after one season. Ito, who worked on popular shows such as Adventure Time, publicly expressed her frustration at Netflix for not promoting the series. I mean, I only heard about it because it was on a list of recommendations I read. The Netflix algorithm didn’t feed it to me.
If you’re looking for a quick and cozy watch that is also massively educational without being preachy, look no further than City of Ghosts. And, of course, following Ito’s instructions: Don’t watch it on Netflix.
Listen: Jukebox the Ghost
Meet Jukebox, the band’s ghost mascot.
This week, I’m not really recommending a specific song or album, but a band: Jukebox the Ghost. Not only did they fit in with this week’s “theme,” but they’ve been one of my favorites for more than a decade. I’ve seen them live, I think, five times, including one of their HalloQueen shows which is exactly what it sounds like.
If you are a full album listener like me, I’d start with their self-titled one from 2014. Otherwise, go with where I started and listen to “Don’t Let Me Fall Behind.”
'Cause I'm the ghost of your past and mine, slowly combine
And I am the one with whom your memories you can reside, come back at any time
And I am the one who you can call at any time
Where are you? Where am I? When are we gonna escape?
Play: Oxenfree and Oxenfree 2
The cover of Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals.
I don’t play video games much, but when I do, I gravitate more toward shorter time commitments because I get too addicted. I also get overwhelmed by open-world games or ones with too many customizations or options. (I did absolutely love Animal Crossing though, of course). In general, the less decisions I have to make, the cozier the game is for me.
Oxenfree is a supernatural thriller about a group of teenagers who accidentally open up a ghostly rift. There are two games, but each one follows a girl on an island with… secrets. It’s fun because you get to choose how you respond to certain situations and affect the outcome.
All in all, the controls are typically pretty easy and you won’t get lost in the puzzles. You get to operate radios and search for frequencies while solving a mystery about why you’re there and what exactly it is you’ve been hired to do. The musical score is also original and the characters are fully voice acted. Gameplay probably lasts less than 10 hours, depending on how many sidequests you choose to complete.
You can find Night School Studio’s games on Steam, PlayStation, Switch, etc. These games won’t break the bank, and range from $10-$20 each. I’ve also played Afterparty by the same studio, which is about trying to win back your mortality in a drinking contest against the Devil himself.