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:
- Canada, Eh?: Although the setting is not named directly, there's a distinctly Canadian feel to the whole thing, and it's pretty clear that the story takes place somewhere in the province of Alberta.
- 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 chase 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.
- 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.
- Wendigo: The innkeeper keeps the wendigo who was once her second son locked in the hotel's basement.
