Canadian International Pictures

Ghostkeeper

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This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover (designed by Tony Stella) was limited to 2,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.

From arthouse to Canuxploitation, Canadian International Pictures (CIP) is devoted to resurrecting vital, distinctive, and overlooked triumphs of Canadian cinema. This label is focused on the country’s original cinematic boom years – spanning the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s – occasionally venturing past that period (and the country’s borders) to highlight the films of Canada’s most inspired actors and filmmakers. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing CIP's brand new line of home video releases!

Who next becomes the keeper of the beast that lives on human flesh?

During a New Year’s Eve snowmobiling trip, Jenny (Rabid’s Riva Spier), her boyfriend Marty (The Grey Fox’s Murray Ord), and their friend Chrissy (Sheri McFadden) veer off path to explore a patch of private property. Stranded by a heavy snowfall, they stumble upon an abandoned hotel and seek refuge for the night. But before long, they meet a menacing woman (Rad’s Georgie Collins) who shares the building with her knife-wielding son (The High Country’s Bill Grove) and a mysterious creature who feeds on human flesh. As the visiting trio comes under attack, they struggle to make a safe escape – and maintain their grip on reality.

Featuring haunting performances from its entire cast and a typically atmospheric score by Paul Zaza (My Bloody Valentine), James Makichuk’s Ghostkeeper is an essential entry in the New Year’s Eve horror canon and a dread-inducing descent into wintery isolation and madness. Long regarded as the Canadian answer to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining, this slasher staple is a Canuxploitation classic and one of the enduring highlights of the tax shelter era.

directed by: James Makichuk
starring: Riva Spier, Murray Ord, Sheri McFadden, Georgie Collins
1981 / 87 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD MA 2.0

Additional info:

Region A Blu-ray
Newly scanned and restored in 4K from the only known complete 35mm theatrical print by Canadian International Pictures
New audio commentary featuring stars Riva Spier and Murray Ord, plus co-writer/associate producer Doug MacLeod
New audio commentary featuring The Hysteria Continues! and author/film historian Amanda Reyes
New episode of The New World Pictures Podcast on Ghostkeeper
Ghostsneaker (2025, 16 min.) – New interview with film historian Chris Alexander
The Window of Opportunity (2025, 15 min.) – New interview with story consultant Dave Makichuk
I Need It Friday (2025, 10 min.) – New interview with composer Paul Zaza
Zaza Begins (2025, 16 min.) – Zaza reflects on his early films
Hollywood Canadians (2025, 14 min.) – Filmmakers Paul Lynch (Prom Night) and David Winning (Storm) reflect on Jim Makichuk
Calgary Underground Film Festival Q&A (2024, 41 min.) – Post-screening discussion featuring Ord, MacLeod, and Dave Makichuk
Archival interview with actress Georgie Collins (2011, 14 min.) – A conversation moderated by Ord and edited by Jim Makichuk
Archival interview with cinematographer John Holbrook (2011, 7 min.)
Alternate opening (1982, 2 min.)
Ghostkeeper 2 (2013, 6 min.) – Jim Makichuk’s Kickstarter video pitching a sequel
Night School (1971, 2 min.) – Early Jim Makichuk short
Booklet featuring a new essay by film journalist/programmer Yasmina Ketita and an essay on the film’s production history by Eric Volmers
Reversible cover artwork
English SDH subtitles

Overall rating: 4.604 / 5 from 250 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Ghostkeeper, a Canadian horror film from 1981, offers a chilling New Year's Eve experience with haunting performances and an atmospheric score. The Blu-ray release includes new 4K scans, audio commentaries, and bonus features like interviews and archival content.

Summary topics

Winter Horror Atmosphere: 16%
Atmospheric Score: 8%

Review topics: ["material","quality","feel","lighting","looks","packaging","upgrade","picture","improvement","sound","effort","buy","set","work","horror","film","movie","release","transfer","atmosphere","flick","artwork","ghostkeeper","burn","score","slasher","presentation","gem","slipcover","restoration"].

Review highlights

"Excellent slow burn and very atmospheric winter horror." — Christopher B.
"The score is great and a must watch every New years" — Jacob M.
"It’s a cool atmospheric cold weather flick about a couple and their friend who spend the night in an abandoned hotel." — Michael B.

Reviews

Excellent slow-burn and regional obscure horror gem

"Ghostkeeper is a chilly, atmospheric slice of early Canadian horror that blends folk horror, isolation, and slasher elements into something strangely hypnotic. The Canadian International Pictures Blu-ray gives the film a major upgrade, with a surprisingly rich restoration that preserves the snowy landscapes and eerie lodge interiors beautifully. Packed with worthwhile supplements, including interviews and archival material that highlight the movie’s place in Canadian genre history, this is an excellent boutique release for horror fans interested in obscure regional cinema and slow-burning supernatural tension."

— Roberto P. (5/5)

Winter Wailing

"Ghostkeeper is a cold, atmospheric horror that builds tension through isolation and eerie folklore. Jim Makichuk uses the remote winter setting to create a steady sense of dread that lingers throughout. It’s a slow burn, but its haunting mood and unsettling presence make it a rewarding watch for patient horror fans."

— Shawn M. (3/5)

Low budget cryptid goodness

"Low budget doesn't always mean low effort and this flick is the perfect example of that. I loved the wintery atmosphere. I had only previously seen a terrible VHS rip of this film and I thought the transfer was amazing."

— Patrick D. (4/5)

Cozy and creepy winter movie.

"Great atmosphere in this early 80s canadian horror movie. Nice restoration and special features."

— Damon H. (4/5)

chilly chiller

"This one has the old school 80s slasher vibes all over it. I had never seen it prior but I just knew I was going to get into from the artwork and my first viewing did not disappoint. Gonna be a regular in my blu-ray player when it gets cold outside. The atmosphere and acting were just perfect."

— Ryan S. (5/5)

Great Little Chiller

"I wouldn't go so far and call this the Canadian Shining that's mentioned, but it had a great locale. We don't get enough movies in the snow or the winter time. It had some great music and some very interesting shots. The artwork on the release is also first rate. Highly recommend for a watch."

— Nathan L. (4/5)

Absolute gem

"My only previous viewing of this was on a certain very well-known website which features numerous videos. (I had looked the film up having read a lot about it and hopes for a forthcoming blu ray release of it. ). Finally being able to view it on this blu ray release, it is a revelation. The snowy mountainous setting helps provide an eerie atmosphere from the very start. I was lucky enough to be able to order it whilst the slipcover edition was available. Superb film, slipcover, artwork, and extras. Please note this is a Region A release, so if outside thr U. S. /Canada you need a multiregion player to view it."

— Andrea M. (5/5)

Great film

"Love this movie. Great atmospheric slow burn horror. Very The Shinning-esque. Great cover art. A must have during the winter season."

— Gregory L. (5/5)

Slow Burn Horror

"This film is not for those that don't appreciate slow burn horror movies. The atmosphere is the star of this film, where three friends are snowed in at what seems to be an abandoned hotel. Overall rating: B"

— Sean J. (4/5)

Interesting but flawed Canuxploitation horror

"Ghostkeeper has a wonderful atmosphere and mood courtesy of its Canadian Rockies and hotel settings. The filmmaker definitely had some good ideas but unfortunately budget constraints prevented from further developing the Wendigo creature. Should note as well that the transfer is from a print rather than original camera negative or earlier generatino copy but looks great considering this."

— David A. (4/5)