Introduction to Ghosts of Mars
Before he was converted into an action star, Jason Statham took a detour in science fiction horror under the management of none other than John Carpenter, the legendary filmmaker behind Halloween and The Thing. The result was the catastrophic Ghosts of Mars, a genre mash-up from 2001 that fell flat upon release, but has since found a small, loyal following.
Streaming on Howdy
Now, it’s easier to see than ever, thanks to Roku’s new streaming service, Howdy. Starting on August 5 for $2.99 per month and completely ad-free, Howdy gives Roku device owners a library of films and TV shows from studios such as Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Filmrise. In addition to big hits like Mad Max: Fury Road, Back to the Future, and Elvis, you can stream Ghosts of Mars, a film that’s so notorious for its box office failure that it prevented Carpenter from directing for almost a decade.
Plot of Ghosts of Mars
Set in 2176, Ghosts of Mars follows a group of Mars police officers, including Jericho Butler (Statham), Melanie Ballard (Natasha Henstridge), and Commanding Officer Helena Braddock (Pam Grier), who are sent to the Shining Canyon mining outpost to collect dangerous prisoner Desolation Williams (Ice Cube). Instead, they discover something much worse: the outpost’s inhabitants have unearthed an ancient Martian threat that’s turning the living into bloodthirsty killers. In classic Carpenter fashion, enemies are forced to team up – in this case, police officers and criminals – to survive an overwhelming threat.
Was Ghosts of Mars Worth Seeing?
When it debuted, critics panned Ghosts of Mars, giving it a 23% Rotten Tomatoes score, and audiences largely ignored it, with the film only returning half of its $28 million budget. For Carpenter, it was a career setback that led to a nine-year hiatus before his next film, The Ward (2010). But over the years, the film’s campy tone, neo-Western influences, and knowingly cheesy style have earned it cult status among die-hard Carpenter fans.
Cult Status and Legacy
Surprisingly, the film even earned a spot on celebrated director Luca Guadagnino’s list of the best films of the 21st century, alongside art-house heavyweights such as In the Mood for Love and A History of Violence. To Guadagnino and other defenders, Ghosts of Mars is a misunderstood B-movie gem that leans into its absurdity with bloody fun and unapologetic style. For Statham, the role of Jericho Butler is a fascinating time capsule of his early career before he became Hollywood’s go-to tough guy. And for Carpenter fans, it’s another chance to reevaluate (or discover) one of his strangest and most polarizing works.
Streaming Now
Ghosts of Mars is now streaming on The Roku Channel via Howdy, giving new and old fans alike the chance to experience this cult classic like never before. With its unique blend of science fiction, horror, and action, Ghosts of Mars is a must-see for anyone looking to explore the weirder side of Carpenter’s filmography.
