Movie Substrate · Film

Ghostbusters (2016)

★ 5.3 · 6,759 ratings on TMDB

Answer the call.

Ghostbusters poster★ 5.3

Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldly threat.

DirectorPaul Feig
CastCharles Dance, Chris Hemsworth, Ed Begley Jr., John Milhiser, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig
GenresAction, Comedy, Fantasy
The emergence reading

In Ghostbusters, consciousness is carried by the dead — a plane of “paranormal nyc”. The story fights on E8/E10/E11 of the E0–E14 reality ladder, compressing ghost, belief, bureaucracy, science, authority.

↷ the deadUSghostbeliefbureaucracyscienceauthority
⇄ Parameter shift — the dial this world turnsrigor: loose
E1ghostsparanormal particles that can intersect with our world and be captured with technology (physics · universal)
Also inConsciousness hiding in the deadFilms that alter a rule of realityFilms that move consciousness off the human
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Same rung, same subject

Films fighting at the same level of reality, about the same things.

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)E8/E11 · authority, bureaucracyYoung Frankenstein (1974)E8/E10 · scienceBrazil (1985)E8/E10 · authority, bureaucracyJujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021)E8/E10 · authorityAlong with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)E8/E10 · bureaucracyGothika (2003)E8/E10 · ghost

Also bends a rule of reality

Other films that change a standing rule of their world — ranked first by those bending it at the same rung.

Bruce Almighty (2003)alters at E1 · same rung · looseRoger & Me (1989)alters at E1 · same rung · rigorousThe Prestige (2006)alters at E1 · same rung · looseMonsters University (2013)alters at E1 · same rung · looseMonsters, Inc. (2001)alters at E1 · same rung · rigorous2012 (2009)alters at E1 · same rung · loose

Also hides consciousness here

Other films that move a human interior onto the same kind of thing.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)consciousness in the dead · afterlife call centerR.I.P.D. (2013)consciousness in the dead · afterlife policeGhostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)consciousness in the dead · spectral cityThe Devil's Backbone (2001)consciousness in the dead · haunted orphanageBeetlejuice (1988)consciousness in the dead · afterlife officeGhostbusters (1984)consciousness in the dead · paranormal city

Same subject, different mask

The same preoccupations carried by a different kind of thing — grief told through the dead, an animal, a machine.

The Gendarme and the Creatures from Outer Space (1979)consciousness in machines · authority, bureaucracyHorton Hears a Who! (2008)consciousness in animals · authority, beliefRoboCop (2014)consciousness in machines · authorityGreen Lantern: First Flight (2009)consciousness in aliens · authorityDoctor Strange (2016)consciousness in aliens · authorityThe Lego Movie (2014)consciousness in objects · authority

Same people

Shared director or cast.

Bridesmaids (2011)dir. Paul FeigThe Heat (2013)dir. Paul FeigSpy (2015)dir. Paul FeigMasterminds (2016)Kate McKinnonThe Avengers (2012)Chris HemsworthAvengers: Infinity War (2018)Chris Hemsworth