“Rite Here Rite Now” is Ghost’s first concert movie, it haunted theaters June 20, to June 23, with additional dates being added later. The movie consisted of the entire concert, which took place on Sept. 10 and Sept. 11, 2023, at the Kia Forum. Along with the concert, the film used skits that expanded on the lore of the band, and an animated section that told the story of their hit song “Mary on a Cross.” The movie was a love letter to fans with many references to other moments in Ghost’s history, especially with the skits that took place in between some of the songs. Even if you are a causal fan of Ghost, or just a fan of the metal genre, you could enjoy “Rite Here Rite Now.”
“Rite Here Rite Now” was amazingly shot. There were a multitude of different cameras that were used expertly to cut between different shots to fit whatever song was being played. The way the camera captured all the different moving lights, and the practical effects were amazing and added to the viewing experience. The movie really made you feel as if you were actually at the Kia Forum during the show. At the same time the movie was able to make you feel as if you were on the stage with the band. Everything with the concert itself was excellent and done to perfection. Even the animated section was great, Ghost is notorious for being labeled as “Scooby-Doo chase music” and the animation they used was very reminiscent of that style, which was such a nice touch. My only real complaint is that the skits were a little cheesy, and I know that the skits that the band has put out are cheesy, and that is their charm, and also that the members of Ghost are not professional actors, but I wish for the movie they were a little more serious.
“Rite Here Rite Now” was the culmination of the Impera Era for Ghost, as the concert was the final show of the American Re-Imperatour, which was the second cycle of the tour. The current frontman of the band Papa Emeritus IV, had already massively outlasted his brothers as the frontman. Fans had been speculating what was going to happen to him ever since the tour ended. Since the last three Papa’s were killed off, and in the skits the band puts out had referenced someone dying, fans were guessing it hinted at his demise at the end of the movie. The movie itself hinted at his death, but it never came. Instead his mother, Sister Imperator died of old age. After months worrying that Papa Emeritus IV would die, he was promoted within the Ghost lore. He became the leader of the whole operation, taking up the title of Frater (brother) Imperator. The movie left on a cliffhanger of who would succeed him as the frontman of the band, letting fans begin to theorize once again.
“Rite Here Rite Now” was an amazingly crafted concert film, with elements of the Ghost lore within. As a Ghost fan there was no way this film could have ever been a let down. For casual fans, and people who do not listen to the band, the concert aspects will be great, while the skits will be something that will not matter to you. I was always going to give “Rite Here Rite Now” a 5/5.
