Ghostkeeper is a 1981 Canadian supernatural slasher film directed by James Makichuk, starring Riva Spier, Georgie Collins, and Murray Ord. The plot centers on a trio of snowmobilers in the Rocky Mountains region of Alberta who become stranded at an abandoned hotel where the elderly female innkeeper is hiding an evil entity within the building. The story is inspired by the legend of the wendigo in Algonquin folklore.
This film provides examples of the following tropes:
- Final Girl: Jenny seems destined for this at first: Brunette, insecure, and more reserved when compared to the other (blonde) girl in the group. The filmmakers' original intent was for her to be chased by the monster when she was the last one left. However, production ran out of money halfway through filming, so a new ending had to be made that completely subverted this all together. Rather than confronting the monster, Jenny confronts the woman who runs the lodge and becomes the new ghostkeeper as a result.
- Gainax Ending: Due to lack of funding, the back half of the film was shot on the go in what can only be described as guerrilla filmmaking. The result is a disorienting finale where the characters behave in strange, uncharacteristic ways and the viewer can experience a Mind Screw once the credits start rolling. It can be debated if this was a fortunate accident or a huge failure.
- Infidelity Index: This is an understood aspect to Jenny and Marty's marriage, which is not to say that Jenny is happy with it. Marty cheats on Jenny because he's the breadwinner and he feels like his money should be enough to keep Jenny satisfied.
- Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane: It's somewhat unclear if there really is a Wendigo present or if it's just a madman. Likewise, it's unknown if there really are supernatural forces present or if the events shown are the result of mad delusions on the protagonists' part.
- Recycled Soundtrack: Parts of the score are re-used from Prom Night (1980). Both films share the same composer, Paul Zaza.
- Slashers Prefer Blondes: Jenny is brunette and Chrissy is blonde. This is played straight, so the one who dies should be clear.
- Wendigo: The innkeeper keeps the wendigo who was once her second son locked in the hotel's basement.
