BANGKOK — “A Useful Ghost,” the debut feature film by director Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, continues its remarkable journey from international acclaim to potential Academy Award recognition. The film, produced by 185 Films and co-distributed in Thailand by Out of the Box by GDH, is scheduled to hit Thai cinemas on August 28, 2025.
The National Film Association of Thailand announced on August 20 that it has selected “A Useful Ghost” as Thailand’s representative for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. A committee of producers, directors, cinema operators, film studios, and media representatives chose the film from 57 entries under consideration.
According to the committee, the film demonstrates “complete uniqueness in all aspects—quality, novelty, and creative and profound content,” making lasting impressions on both critics and international audiences since its debut at the 78th Cannes International Film Festival.
The film tells the story of March, a grieving husband devastated by his wife Nat’s death, who discovers her spirit has returned by possessing a vacuum cleaner. While the couple rejoices in their reunion, their unconventional human-ghost relationship faces challenges from both supernatural and everyday domestic problems. The cast includes Davika Hoorne, Apasiri Nitibhon, Witsarut Himmarat, Wanlop Rungkumjad, and Wisarut Homhuan.
Seven years in development, “A Useful Ghost” marked Ratchapoom’s directorial debut when it premiered at Cannes in May. The film made history as the first Thai production to win the Grand Prize in Critics’ Week while earning positive reviews from international critics.
Lead actress Davika Hoorne expressed her enthusiasm for the independent production, acknowledging it may not be mainstream but encouraging audiences to support it. “Being Thai and having the film win an award announced as ‘Thai Movie,’ I want Thai people to go cheer for it,” she said.
The internationally co-produced film received funding from Switzerland, Singapore, France, the Netherlands, and Germany, with additional post-production support from Thailand’s Creative Economy Promotion Agency (THACCA).
___________