‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ with Ghost in the Machine IPA

It’s not perfect, but ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ completely surpasses expectations. When you get the chance to stream at home, try pairing it with another impressive specter — Parish Brewing’s Ghost in the Machine IPA!

The Movie: Paranormal Action-Comedy / 2021 / Columbia – Sony Pictures

The Beer: Imperial NEIPA / 8.5% ABV / Parish Brewing Co. – Broussard, LA

*Spoilers*

I didn’t go into Ghostbusters: Afterlife thinking I was going to see Paul Rudd channeling Rick Moranis. But that’s just one of many delightful surprises this movie has in store. As the latest follow-up to 1984’s beloved Ghostbusters, the new movie faced both low expectations and an extremely high bar. It’s for these reasons that some critics have totally trashed it, while others have even been prompted to go back and say “We should have cherished” 2016’s female-led reboot when we had the chance.

Yep. When the nostalgia is that powerful, it’s difficult to see the present clearly.

That’s why I say give it several years, and those same critics will likely sing a different tune about Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Because holy Slimer, this one blows the 1989 sequel and the reboot out of the water (though, to be fair, I actually didn’t think the reboot was that bad). It’s actually so entertaining, it’s dare I say it? — a worthy sequel!

In addition to a near-perfect balance of humor and genuinely spooky paranormal adventure, Afterlife‘s key to success is its references to the original. There are plenty here to satisfy long-time Ghostbusters fans, but for the most part they manage to stay subtle and natural with the narrative. Unlike so many sequels and threequels, this one actively avoids depending on its audience’s past knowledge.

Paul Rudd’s a welcome addition (seriously, think of one movie where you think “Aw man, Paul Rudd’s here? I wish he wasn’t.” If you can, we can’t be friends.), but the real stars here are the kids. Podcast (Logan Kim) is the type of character that could get annoying real fast, but he stays surprisingly likable. In fact, he even proves to be both amusing and useful.

But it’s McKenna Grace’s wonderfully dry Phoebe who’s the torch bearer for Harold Ramis’ Egon Spengler. Without getting too mushy, the movie does a nice job completing his Ghostbusters legacy. And yes, the original cast does drop in to help.

If there’s any real complaint I have, it’s that the movie is just too clean. Sure, there’s some mildly dirty jokes, and the little Stay-Puft marshmallows get hilariously violent, but there aren’t any real stakes here. The 1984 Ghostbusters pushed the envelope with Venkman’s college student electrocution and brazen insults to Walter Peck, not to mention that sexy ghost dream scene with Ray. There’s nothing of the sort here, although I will say the action scenes are more intense.

But oh well, can’t have it all in the afterlife. What you can have though is a beer pairing.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife, meet Ghost in the Machine IPA

Ghostbusters: Afterlife isn’t available to stream anywhere just yet, but when it is, I highly recommend reaching for Parish Brewing’s Ghost in the Machine IPA. If you haven’t heard of this beer, it may be because you haven’t read too many must-try IPA lists.

This is the craft brew frequently praised as one of the best beers from Louisiana. Thrillist even once named it a beer you need to try before you die. That’s a bit dramatic, obviously, but the hype is well-warranted.

Brewed with what the brewers refer to as “obscene quantities of hand-selected Citra hops from our favorite farm in Yakima Valley, WA,” this hopbomb helped jumpstart the New England-style Hazy IPA’s popularity in the southern U.S. While the style category is definitely oversaturated these days, Ghost in the Machine is a gem that still stands out (like how Afterlife is a pleasant break on the action-adventure front — it’s not a superhero movie, and it doesn’t take its paranormal aspects too seriously).

This beer used to be a lot more limited, but now Parish releases it year-round due to demand. Get a taste, and you’ll be greeted with pungent fresh-cut grapefruit aromas. The palate is more juicy grapefruit, mingled with notes of mango, tangerine and pine resin. At 8.5%, Ghost in the Machine is an excellent example of how tropical hop flavors can disguise boozy burn — you’d guess this one was more like 6%.

It’s a beer that I keep coming back to — kind of like how I rewatch 1984’s Ghostbusters every year. Will Ghostbusters: Afterlife have that same kind of long-term following? No, but it will be a fun romp to come back to at some point.

*Bonus Beers*

Ever seen a spook, spectre or ghost? If the answer is “yes,” then one of these beers may be for you:

• Gose the Gozerian / Gose Ale / 4.5% ABV / Laurelwood Brewing Co. – Portland, OR
• Heart and Science / West Coast IPA / 6.8% ABV / Ninkasi Brewing Co. – Eugene, OR
• Phantom Haze / NEIPA / 7.5% ABV / Boulevard Brewing Co. – Kansas City, MO
• Who You Gonna Call? / Russian Imperial Stout / 10.5% ABV / Hardywood Park Craft Brewery – Richmond, VA