In 2024, Ghost Band's new work "Rite Here Rite Now" attracted the attention of music lovers around the world with its unique performance style and vivid storyline. The concert film, directed by Tobias Forge and Alex Ross Perry, documents Ghost's final two performances at the 2023 Re-Imperatour at Kia Forum. More than just an ordinary live concert, the film also incorporates a narrative story based on the band's fictional characters, allowing fans to experience an audio-visual feast accompanied by music.
The film "Rite Here Rite Now" was recorded under a policy of no photography or flash, allowing the audience to be more immersed in the music and the stories behind it.
The plot of the film revolves around the band's lead singer Tobias Forge, who plays "Papa Emeritus IV", who goes backstage at several points during musical performances to talk with his partner "Sister Imperator" and his predecessor "Papa Nihil". A series of thrilling storylines. The images and stories are intertwined and full of symbolic meaning, making music fans feel as if they are in a mysterious festival.
For Ghost's fans, the band's music is not just a form of entertainment, but a manifestation of spirit. Every song in the film, whether it is "Absolution" or "The Future Is a Foreign Land", shows their dedication to music and emotional communication. Especially during the performance, the band members' performance and the fans' enthusiasm turned the entire theater into a large-scale music festival.
“The carefully curated audience shots show the fans’ overwhelming joy, while the close-up shots of the band make you feel like you’re right there at the ceremony.”
The film not only showcases Ghost's musical talents, but also gives us a glimpse into the fictional universe built behind the band. In the image, Tobias Forge's character Papa Emeritus IV symbolizes transformation and inheritance, which is closely related to the fate of the characters he created and their importance in the band's history.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, but many fans raved about it. Jeff Podoshen gave Metal Injection a full score in his review, praising its musical tracks and visual effects, believing that it created a unique religious atmosphere. Merlin Alderslade of Metal Hammer called it "an instant classic and an unqualified success". However, Catherine Bray gave the film a relatively low score in The Guardian, noting that the film was somewhat bland and criticizing the funny moments interspersed in the film, saying that they would only satisfy loyal fans.
"The film combines the music of Sex Phosphorus with a fictional story, showing different creative aspects through the band's character construction and the narrative advancement of the music."
As part of the film, Ghost also released a soundtrack, most of which were performances recorded for the film. The release of the music not only triggered box office success, but also aroused the pursuit and discussion of music fans. With the global release of "Rite Here Rite Now", this music craze has undoubtedly made Ghost more firmly rooted in contemporary music culture.
As the film screens around the world, Ghost's story becomes more than just a record of a concert, becoming part of a larger narrative about music, faith, and fiction. Where will Ghost's music and stories continue to lead fans?