I watched it without having watched the first film, shot in 1945 with Rutherford as Madam Arcati, before. The film is unfortunately not funny, which in my opinion lies in the fact that the new adaptation the story changed a lot, adding unnecessary plot elements, overall making it boring. In fact the key part, namely that the maid is the actual psychic is completely removed from the story, and the coming back of Madam Arcati's long dead husband is a new completely unnecessary, yet predictable and not funny twist. The death of Charles, although being the last scene of the 1945 film too, is actually absent in the play (which thankfully one can still watch on youtube with an excellent cast). Nonetheless, in the old film it is just a one-minute add-on which does not destroy the plot (it is an obvious and common thing to do at the time), which is not the case with the new one.

The story is supposed to take place in the 1930s, in a villa which looks anything but that (something between Bauhaus and Minimalism). Since the majority of the scenes were shot there, this insignificant mistake is perceived throughout the film, in an annoying way.

Although everyone's acting is excellent, the plot too blunt to save the day. If you want to watch it then go for the 1945 film, or even better, for the TV play.

Dreadful remake without any of the charm of the original. The cast are usually fantastic but are lost in this farce. Awful ending, wooden script....Avoid

We have never seen nor heard of the play or original film so cant compare nor would've anyway weve learned to watch a film and judge it on its OWN merit. This film was creative had some excellent twists some fantastic hilarious scenes Dan Stevens is an EXTREMELY UNDERRATED actor and he shines again here. He can be a Cary grant type or a out of sink dork he is just a great talent my wife and I again dont get the low score. We understand the Critics low score they wouldn't know a good film if you told them if it's not a boring biography or documentary they grade it low or an actor they love. Ignore the reviews and give this film a chance its hilarious creative it's the movie ghost and a comedy mixed together!!! BRAVO to the whole cast and crew!!!!