What if your wife died from dust pollution… and came back as a ghost possessing your vacuum cleaner?
That wild, wonderful premise powers A Useful Ghost (Thai: ผีใช้ได้ค่ะ), the breakout Thai black comedy-drama that swept the Critics’ Week Grand Prize at Cannes 2025. It’s funny, deeply moving, and sneakily profound—a fresh spin on the ghost story that uses the absurd to say something real about love, grief, modern life in Thailand, and the invisible burdens we carry.
The Story: Love That Refuses to Die (or Clean Up After Itself)
After Nat tragically passes away, her husband March is lost in grief. Then something extraordinary happens: Nat’s spirit returns, not as a translucent apparition, but by possessing their humble vacuum cleaner. Determined to keep caring for her family and protect them from other restless spirits haunting the household (and factory?), she becomes the ultimate helpful ghost—sucking up dust, secrets, and emotional baggage along the way.
What starts as a quirky domestic comedy evolves into something richer: an exploration of a marriage tested by loss, family tensions, class dynamics, and the heavy weight of environmental and societal pressures in contemporary Bangkok. March must navigate life with a wife who is literally part of the furniture (or appliances), while Nat fights to remain “useful” in a world that moves on too quickly.
Absurdity Meets Heart
Director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke’s feature debut is a genre-bending triumph that feels like Yorgos Lanthimos decided to make a heartfelt Thai ghost romance. The film brilliantly balances deadpan humor, surreal visuals (those vacuum hoses have presence), and genuine emotional depth. It’s hilarious watching a vacuum cleaner act out spousal affection or battle rival ghosts, yet it never loses sight of the pain of bereavement or the quiet strength of everyday love.
Unique elements shine through its sharp social commentary—on air pollution, factory life, power imbalances, and the cost-of-living struggles—woven seamlessly into the supernatural setup without feeling preachy. The rural-urban tensions and family drama add layers that make it resonate far beyond Thailand. Visually inventive and tonally masterful, it’s the kind of film that leaves you laughing one minute and quietly wiping tears the next. If you crave cinema that’s both wildly entertaining and smartly insightful, this is essential viewing.
Cannes Glory and Standout Talent
A Useful Ghost made history as a major Thai return to Cannes, winning the Critics’ Week Grand Prize and earning rave reviews for its originality. It’s a co-production with France, Singapore, and Germany that proudly puts Thai storytelling on the global stage.
Davika Hoorne delivers a magnetic, multifaceted performance as Nat—bringing warmth, wit, and vulnerability to a role that exists mostly through household appliances and voice. Wisarut Himmarat (as March) anchors the film with relatable, understated grief and growth. Supporting turns, including Apasiri Nitibhon as the formidable mother-in-law, add rich family tension. Boonbunchachoke’s direction—restrained yet playful—marks him as a major new voice in Asian cinema.
Whether you’re binging on Prime Video for a cozy night or seeking elevated entertainment on Hoopla or Fandor, this Cannes winner delivers laughs, tears, and plenty to talk about. Don’t sleep on it—it might just haunt you in the best possible way.
Basic Information
- Title: A Useful Ghost (Thai: ผีใช้ได้ค่ะ / Pee Chai Dai Ka)
- Director: Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke
- Main Cast: Davika Hoorne (Nat), Wisarut Himmarat (March), Apasiri Nitibhon, and others
- Released: World Premiere May 17, 2025 (Cannes Film Festival); Thailand theatrical release August 28, 2025
- When and Where it is available: Now streaming on Prime Video, Hoopla, and Fandor (availability may vary by region). Check your local platforms for additional options.
Grab the popcorn (and maybe a vacuum for moral support), and dive into one of the most original films of the year. You’ll be glad you did.
