Ghostbusters 2 sometimes feels like the classic franchise’s forgotten film. While not receiving the intense (and ugly) backlash of the 2016 reboot, it never seems to get the universal praise heaped on the 1984 original. But the sequel to the iconic horror comedy Ghostbusters has its devotees, and with its unifying message of unabashed positivity, it is arguably the franchise entry most relevant to our current state of bitter divisiveness and polarization. Ghostbusters 2 is a story of redemption dressed up as a supernatural comedy. Its central message argues that we can use the power of love and human connection to combat sources of negativity and perhaps even redeem those caught up in its current.
Five years after the events of the first film, the Ghostbusters are all but washed up. Performing for children’s birthday parties, running weird lab experiments, and hosting kooky paranormal talk-shows, they’ve been bankrupted after the destruction caused by battling Gozer. Even worse, they’ve become the laughing stock of the city. When Dana (Sigourney Weaver) once again begins to experience paranormal activity, this time threatening her baby Oscar (Will and Hank Deutschendorf), Egon (Harold Ramis), Ray (Dan Aykroyd), Winston (Ernie Hudson), and Peter (Bill Murray) investigate, discovering a river of pink slime flowing beneath the city. The slime converges in the sewers underneath the Manhattan Museum of Art, specifically under a painting of Vigo (Wilhelm von Homburg), a sixteenth century tyrant bent on world domination. Aided by museum curator Janosz Poha (Peter MacNicol), he plans to unleash a new age of evil by possessing the body of a child and he’s set his sights on Oscar.
Vigo and the slime are intrinsically linked. After studying the hot pink substance, Ray and Egon learn that it reacts to the emotions of the humans nearby. Famously angry, the residents of New York City have been feeding the river now measuring in the thousands of gallons. Ray describes the slime as “concentrated evil,” but it’s really just a physical manifestation of the negative feelings most of us experience every day. We all get angry, sad, and frustrated, just a few of the multitude of emotions that are simply part of the human experience. The slime amplifies these emotions, causing them to override rationality, sparking unpredictable and dangerous action.
This is Vigo’s intention. Stuck in a painting, he manipulates the minds of his victims and causes them to do his bidding. Janosz worships Vigo because the tyrant gives him the power and influence he can’t seem to harness on his own. Having been repeatedly rejected by Dana, Janosz asks Vigo to “give” her to him in exchange for possessing Oscar. He’s frustrated that he would have to build the romantic relationship he believes he’s earned with his accomplishments. Vigo offers him a way to avoid emotional vulnerability and the risk of rejection. It’s difficult not to hear echoes of current politicians who promise power and domination at the expense of others’ rights. So many today are frustrated that they have to earn the esteem and admiration they believe should be freely given to them based on their gender, race, and socio-economic status. Like Janosz, their fear of failure causes them to avoid the vulnerability that would lead to authentic relationships and they attempt to force emotional connections that should be built on mutual trust.
One of the film’s most exciting set pieces occurs in a courtroom after the Ghostbusters have been charged with causing a city-wide power outage. The judge (Harris Yulin), cranky and clearly biased, not only finds them guilty but unleashes a massive tirade of vitriol and hate. As he does, the slime, evidence in the case, begins to bubble and grow. At the climax of his condemnation, the jar of pink goo explodes into the ghosts of the Scoleri Brothers, murderous supernatural entities who seize the opportunity to harness the judge’s anger and cause further harm. Their manifestation demonstrates the power negative energy has to explode into dangerous action. Though the slime directs the current, the spark is the judge’s hate. It’s reminiscent of the way destructive rhetoric and hateful speech has inspired deadly action in Charlottesville, Virginia, Kenosha, Wisconsin, and the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol Building. The destruction of the courtroom is a visible representation of the tremendous damage this kind of anger can cause and proof of the need for positive energy to combat it.
In order to take physical form, Vigo needs a body to inhabit and specifically requests a child. It’s no coincidence that an agent of evil would seek out members of the younger generation to sweep up in his hatred. In the polarized United States, much intolerance seems to be fueled by older generations and a desire to go back to the days when oppression and bigotry reigned. It’s tempting to adopt a wait-it-out mindset and think that this vile ideation will die out with the generation. But millions of children have grown up in the homes of hateful parents and millions more will soon be born into them. The cycle of hate and intolerance is not limited to a single generation. If left unchallenged, it will be passed down through the generations like a dominant trait. Like baby Oscar, these children will have no defense against the negative energy they’re raised in and will likely become possessed by it. Evil always needs new blood to flourish. Vigo knows this and seeks out a child because he knows that at some point, he will depend on the younger generation to fully embrace his dark desires.
Ghostbusters 2 is ultimately a story of redemption. Though the team is down and out, ridiculed, ignored, and even committed to a psychiatric hospital, they never give up on the people of New York City. Vigo’s transformation is set to occur on New Year’s Eve at the stroke of midnight. He traps Dana and Oscar in the museum, now protected by a hard shell of slime, to await the culmination of his plan. In order to break through the dense negativity, the Ghostbusters seek their own unifying symbol to harness the goodwill of the people. In one of the most uplifting (pun intended) scenes in horror comedy history, the Ghostbusters coat the Statue of Liberty with positively charged slime and bring her to life with Jackie Wilson’s “Higher and Higher.” The lyrics soar through the streets of New York as this iconic symbol of freedom and acceptance marches towards the museum. The citizens of New York City line the streets in awe of the spectacle and can’t help but cheer on these warriors heading into battle with evil itself.
Inspired by the Ghostbusters’ bravery, the team’s accountant, Louis Tully (Rick Moranis) also joins the fight. Though he is scared, he borrows a spare suit and heads to the museum. The boys are inside directly battling Vigo, but the crowd surrounding the museum only sees Louis standing on the steps and facing down a giant enemy. Minutes after midnight, the crowd’s singing of “Auld Lang Syne” allows the Ghostbusters to push Vigo back into the painting. Unbeknownst to Louis, he fires his proton pack at the same moment. They simultaneously battle from both outside and in, defeating Vigo for good. The coating of slime breaks apart and ascends into oblivion as the crowd erupts, believing Louis is responsible for the victory. “I’m a Ghostbuster,” he marvels to himself as the crowd swells to congratulate him. And he is. Louis took a dangerous chance and perhaps provided the tiny bit of momentum that tipped the tides. It’s a beautiful moment and a wonderful arc for a beloved character, but Louis’s victory also shows how powerful a tiny spark of bravery in the face of evil can be. Even the smallest act of kindness can start a chain reaction of positivity with the power to change the world.
Though the climactic battle is uplifting, perhaps the film’s most important message occurs in the aftermath. In a last ditch attempt to possess a body, Vigo’s spirit briefly jumps into Ray. Hosed down by positive slime to counteract this possession, Ray wakes up feeling incredible. The positive energy is swirling through him and he can’t contain his feelings of love for his friends. Janosz has also been covered in positive slime to remove Vigo’s influence. “Hey, man, let me tell you something. I love you,” Ray says as he helps Janosz to his feet. Janosz has been just as guilty of carrying out Vigo’s evil plan, but Ray offers him kindness all the same. The film distinguishes between Janosz, an insecure and vulnerable target manipulated into committing atrocious acts, and Vigo, the evil mastermind behind it all. Janosz’s redemption shows that while we must destroy the source of negative energy, there may still be hope for those caught up in the swells.
It’s important to note that this forgiveness should not fall on Dana’s shoulders. Janosz has hurt her deeply and it’s understandable that she would want nothing more to do with him. And forgiveness does not mean freedom from accountability. But Janosz is not past redemption. No one is. It’s not fair to ask victims to carry the burden of forgiveness, and it often feels like injured parties are asked over and over again to extend grace to those who refuse to recognize their humanity. But anyone able to extend this grace can become a lifeline for those who have fallen into hateful ideation. True connection requires us to sometimes see past harmful actions and recognize the humanity in every person.
Midway through the film, the Mayor (David Margulies) claims that, “being miserable and treating other people like dirt is every New Yorker’s god-given right.” He may be right, but Ghostbusters 2 shows what can happen when we choose not to. Rather than a story about evil gods and slimey spirits, this film’s monster is negativity itself. Vigo’s rise to power demonstrates the immense harm hatred and cruelty can cause if allowed to build over time, but the film also shows the contagious nature of positivity. It provides an example of the mighty things we can accomplish when we show each other just a little bit of kindness. Ghostbusters 2 shows us that everyone is capable of redemption. Sometimes we just need a positive charge to get the goodwill flowing.
