History YMMV / Ghost1990

** The Subway Ghost. He's bitter, overwhelmingly protective of "his train", and largely uninterested in helping anyone else. Still, he died and is remembered under unpleasant circumstances (everyone thinks he was suicidal, and if he was, he clearly regrets it now--when it's too late), not to mention being unable to interact with anyone save other ghosts. He also appears to suffer from eternal addiction to nicotine while being unable to satisfy it. It becomes much sadder when you realize that, since he wasn't DraggedOffToHell upon death, he probably wasn't even a bad person in life.

* MandelaEffect: Willy Lopez's name is often misremembered as ''Willie'' Lopez.

** [[spoiler:For that matter, Carl's motivations and level of remorse are open to interpretation. Although he says he didn't order Willy to kill Sam and chastises him for doing so, he doesn't seem too broken up about it (he's mostly scared of how the murder puts himself in greater danger), and his secret attraction to Molly indicates he always saw Sam as a rival. Also, he knew Sam was starting to notice suspicious activity in the bank that would have led him to discover Carl's crimes. Willy [[JerkassHasAPoint may be correct]] in suggesting that killing Sam was (from Carl's standpoint) [[HeKnowsTooMuch doing Carl a favor]].]]

** [[spoiler:For that matter, Carl's motivations and level of remorse are open to interpretation. Although he says he didn't order Willy to kill Sam and chastises him for doing so, he doesn't seem too broken up about it (he's mostly scared of how the murder puts himself in greater danger), and his secret attraction to Molly indicates he always saw Sam as a rival. Also, he knew Sam was noticing suspicious activity in the bank before being killed. Willy [[JerkassHasAPoint may be correct]] in suggesting that killing Sam was (from Carl's standpoint) [[HeKnowsTooMuch doing Carl a favor]].]]

** [[spoiler:For that matter, Carl's motivations and level of remorse are open to interpretation. Although he says he didn't order Willy to kill Carl and chastises him for doing so, he doesn't seem too broken up about it (he's mostly scared of how the murder puts himself in greater danger), and his secret attraction to Molly indicates he always saw Sam as a rival. Also, he knew Sam was noticing suspicious activity in the bank before being killed. Willy [[JerkassHasAPoint may be correct]] in suggesting that killing Sam was (from Carl's standpoint) [[HeKnowsTooMuch doing Carl a favor]].]]

* MemeticMutation: The pottery scene, one of the most oft-parodied movie scenes of the late 20th century.

* ParanoiaFuel: When [[spoiler:Willy and Carl]] die, the ''shadows themselves'' rise off the ground and take the shape of demons, and after the bad guys are whisked to hell, the shadows return to their original positions. In other words, the demons could be lying in wait anywhere!
* QuestionableCasting: More like "Questionable Director of Choice", but one of the directors of ''Film/{{Airplane}}'' directing a gut-wrenchingly emotional romantic murder drama? Surely, you can't be serious? Even Bruce Joel Rubin, the screenwriter, says he was horrified when he first found out who was set to direct, but he went on to be highly satisfied with Zucker and pleased with how the movie turned out.

** [[spoiler:For that matter, Carl's motivations and level of remorse are open to interpretation. Although he says he didn't order Willy to kill Carl and chastises him for doing so, he doesn't seem too broken up about it (he's mostly scared of how the murder puts himself in greater danger), and his secret attraction to Molly indicates he always saw Sam as a rival. Also, he knew Sam was noticing suspicious activity in the bank before being killed. Willy [[JerkassHasAPoint may be correct]] in suggesting that killing Sam was (from Carl's standpoint) doing Carl a favor.]]

* WTHCastingAgency: More like WTH, Director of Choice, but one of the directors of ''Film/{{Airplane}}'' directing a gut-wrenchingly emotional romantic murder drama? Surely, you can't be serious? Even Bruce Joel Rubin, the screenwriter, says he was horrified when he first found out who was set to direct, but he went on to be highly satisfied with Zucker and pleased with how the movie turned out.

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: [[spoiler:Did Willy intend all along to kill Sam during the robbery? On the surface, it looks like a situation that escalated: he shoved Sam, Molly tried to intervene, he hit Molly, Sam grabbed Willy's gun, and in the course of their struggle Willy shot Sam. Perhaps if Sam hadn't tried to fight Willy, he would have survived. Or perhaps not; it's possible one of his reasons for fighting back was that he sensed Willy wasn't going to let them live even if they cooperated. When Willy later justifies the killing to Carl, he says "I did you a favor." That could be a rationalization after the fact, or it could be an admission that the killing was a calculated choice. For that matter, Carl himself is open to interpretation, as despite not having ordered Willy to kill Sam, he doesn't seem that broken up over it (he's mostly scared of how the murder puts himself in greater danger), and his secret attraction to Molly indicates he always saw Sam as a rival. Willy [[JerkassHasAPoint may be correct]] in suggesting that killing Sam was (from Carl's standpoint) doing Carl a favor.]]

* {{Narm}}: When Carl tells Molly "you're not the one who died", she gives him an incredibly weak slap.

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: [[spoiler:Did Willy intend all along to kill Sam during the robbery? On the surface, it looks like a situation that escalated: he shoved Sam, Molly tried to intervene, he hit Molly, Sam grabbed Willy's gun, and in the course of their struggle Willy shot Sam. Perhaps if Sam hadn't tried to fight Willy, he would have survived. Or perhaps not; it's possible one of his reasons for fighting back was that he sensed Willy wasn't going to let them live even if they cooperated. When Willy later justifies the killing to Carl, he says "I did you a favor." That could be a rationalization after the fact, or it could be an admission that the killing was a calculated choice.]]

* HilariousInHindsight: "I know you don't think I'm giving this $4 million to [[Film/SisterAct a bunch of nuns]]!

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: [[spoiler:Did Willy intend all along to kill Sam during the robbery? On the surface, it looks like a situation that escalated: he hit Molly, then Sam attacked Willy in response, and in the course of their struggle Willy shot Sam. Perhaps if Sam hadn't tried to fight Willy, he would have survived. Or perhaps not; it's possible one of his reasons for fighting back was that he sensed Willy wasn't going to let them live even if they cooperated. When Willy later justifies the killing to Carl, he says "I did you a favor." That could be a rationalization after the fact, or it could be an admission that the killing was a calculated choice.]]

* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: [[spoiler:Had Willy intended all along to kill Sam during the robbery? On the surface, it looks like a situation that escalated: he hit Molly, then Sam attacked Willy in response, and in the course of their struggle Willy shot Sam. Perhaps if Sam hadn't tried to fight Willy, he would have survived. Or perhaps not; it's possible one of his reasons for fighting back was that he sensed Willy wasn't going to let them live even if they cooperated. When Willy later justifies the killing to Carl, he says "I did you a favor." That could be a rationalization after the fact, or it could be an admission that the killing was a calculated choice.]]

** Creator/TonyGoldwyn (Carl) would go on to voice {{WesternAnimation/Tarzan}}, Creator/WhoopiGoldberg (Oda Mae) would go on to voice [[WesternAnimation/TheLionKing1994 Shenzi]], and Creator/DemiMoore (Molly) would go on to voice [[WesternAnimation/TheHunchbackOfNotreDameDisney Esmeralda]]. Somewhat inverted for Creator/PatrickSwayze (Sam), who went on to voice [[WesternAnimation/TheFoxAndTheHound2 Cash]].

** The Subway Ghost. He's bitter, overwhelmingly protective of "his train", and largely uninterested in helping anyone else. Still, he died and is remembered under unpleasant circumstances (everyone thinks he was suicidal, and if he was, he clearly regrets it now--when it's too late), not to mention being unable to interact with anyone save other ghosts. That has to take a toll on your attitude. Even worse, he appears to have some kind of mental illness that has persisted even now that he's a ghost - he can't escape his demons even in ''death''.

* RealismInducedHorror: The film has situations that can be scary because they can actually happen. Sam Wheat tries to play hero for Molly and ends up getting shot in a vital area and dying physically. Carl Bruner got himself tangled up in mobster [[WhiteCollarCrime money laundering]] and gets terrified when his money he owes disappears due to Sam's machinations. And the subway ghost was DrivenToSuicide -- due unknown circumstances where he got overwhelmed with a series of misfortunes in his life -- which has happened around train and subway tracks. We get consolation that the subway ghost has the opportunity to eventually find peace and move on, so it's heartwarming in that regard.

* RealismInducedHorror: The film has situations that can be scary because they can actually happen. Sam Wheat tries to play hero for Molly and ends up getting shot in a vital area and dying physically. Carl Bruner got himself tangled up in mobster [[WhiteCollarCrime money laundering]] and gets terrified when his money he owes disappears due to Sam's machinations. And the subway ghost was DrivenToSuicide -- due unknown circumstances where he got overwhelmed with a series of misfortunes in his life -- which has happened around train and subway tracks. We get consolation that the subway ghost may eventually find peace and move on, so it's heartwarming in that regard.

* RealismInducedHorror: The film has situations that can be scary because they can actually happen. Sam Wheat tries to play hero for Molly and ends up getting shot in a vital area and dying physically. Carl Bruner got himself tangled up in mobster MoneyLaundering and gets terrified when his money he owes disappears due to Sam's machinations. And the subway ghost was DrivenToSuicide -- due unknown circumstances where he got overwhelmed with a series of misfortunes in his life -- which has happened around train and subway tracks. We get consolation that the subway ghost may eventually find peace and move on, so it's heartwarming in that regard.

** The Subway Ghost. He's bitter, overwhelmingly protective of "his train", and largely uninterested in helping anyone else. Still, he died and is remembered under unpleasant circumstances (everyone thinks he was suicidal, and if he was, he clearly regrets it now--when it's too late), not to mention being unable to interact with anyone save other ghosts. That has to take a toll on your attitude.

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Creator/BruceWillis turned down the role of Sam because he thought the film would flop. He freely admitted that wasn't the smartest move of his career. His then-wife Creator/DemiMoore had no such fears.

* BestKnownForTheFanservice: The pottery scene is very steamy and sensual, and it's also the film's most remembered (and most parodied) scene. Even Creator/PatrickSwayze considered it to be the sexiest scene he ever filmed. Pretty impressive for a scene that has no nudity other than Swayze being {{Shirtless|Scene}}. Although Demi is briefly seen in her bra and panties.

* AndYouThoughtItWouldFail: Creator/BruceWillis turned down the male lead because he thought the film would flop. He freely admitted that wasn't the smartest move of his career. His then-wife Creator/DemiMoore had no such fears.
* BestKnownForTheFanservice: The pottery scene is very steamy and sensual, and it's also the film's most remembered (and most parodied) scene. Even Creator/PatrickSwayze considered it to be the sexiest scene he ever filmed. Pretty impressive for a scene that has no nudity other than Swayze being {{Shirtless|Scene}}.

* WhatAnIdiot: As fun as it is to watch Sam torment [[spoiler:Carl]] with his ghost powers, writing out his name on the computer was ''not'' the brightest decision. [[spoiler:Carl]] now knows who screwed him over, and would be able to go after those who are connected to Sam.