Cineverse Releases U.S. Trailer and Poster for Cannes Winner A Useful Ghost, in Theaters January 16

Poster for A Useful Ghost, the Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prix winner.

Cineverse Debuts U.S. Trailer and Poster for A Useful Ghost, Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prix Winner — In Theaters January 16

Cineverse has released the official U.S. trailer and poster for A Useful Ghost, the Cannes Critics’ Week Grand Prix winner arriving in theaters January 16. The film, which blends the supernatural with class commentary and black humor, follows March, a widower grieving the loss of his wife Nat, who recently died as a result of dust pollution tied to the factory where the family works.

The story takes an unexpected turn when Nat’s spirit returns — not in human form, but by possessing a household vacuum cleaner. While March sees her presence as a second chance, the rest of the family is disturbed, especially as they’re still shaken by a ghostly incident triggered by a worker’s death that shut down operations at the factory. Their refusal to accept March and Nat’s bond pushes the couple into conflict as Nat tries to prove she’s not just lingering… she’s useful.

Nat eventually offers to cleanse the factory of the spirits haunting it in hopes of winning the family over. But to become a “useful ghost,” she must eliminate the “useless ones,” setting off a haunting that’s far stranger and more layered than a typical possession tale. The film explores labor, environmental harm, grief, and the lingering weight of unfinished lives — all through a surreal setup that keeps its emotional core intact.

A Useful Ghost drew strong acclaim at Cannes for its inventive approach to the ghost story, its grounding in real-world issues, and its offbeat yet heartfelt tone. Cineverse brings the film to U.S. theaters beginning January 16, with additional release details to follow.

HMU will continue to track updates as the film approaches its domestic debut.

DIRECTED BY Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke

STARRING Davika Hoorne, Witsarut Himmarat, Apasiri Nitibhon, Wanlop Rungkumjud,

and Wisarut Homhuan