Ghostbusters: Afterlife is not getting the best scores in the world. However, it’s better than what a lot of people were thinking based on the first initial trailers. The film’s biggest downfall is its reliance on nostalgia. That’s part of the reason why a lot of the plot points don’t seem to make sense.
There are ideas inserted into Ghostbusters: Afterlife that feels like they are there only to wink at fans. There were also quite a few threads that weren’t followed up on like Egon’s choice to leave, the Somerville school, and so many other things. These things shouldn’t ruin an otherwise fun movie, but they may leave viewers confused. There will be spoilers ahead.
8 Trevor’s Love At First Sight
One of the first things the family does when they pull into town is meet up at the local burger joint for food. Upon seeing Lucky for three seconds, Trevor is seemingly madly in love. He jumps out of the car like a cartoon character.
He wants to go on a date with her so he decides to apply for a job. This is a little too desperate, even for a teenager. It might have felt more natural in a school setting. That could have been cut out of the movie. Who knows?
7 Phoebe’s Natural Talent
Phoebe is only 12 in the movie. She’s pretty advanced for her age. Even with her intellect, as a child, she should have still reacted differently to ghosts. Anyone would scream. Even adults. Another odd thing about Phoebe is her ability to not only know how to capture ghosts like it was a 2+2 equation, but she has the strength to haul around the Proton Pack with ease. These feats are hard to explain even for a female lead.
6 Gary’s Kid Endangerment
Gary is seemingly the only person in town who remembers the Ghostbusters. It’s how he can help Phoebe with the various questions she has regarding Egon and his equipment.
For example, Gary should have known not to mess with a Ghost Trap. He should realize there’s something in there that should not get out. Gary doesn’t decide to just let it out himself. He puts Phoebe and Podcast in danger which is the bigger crime. At least he doesn't get off completely scot-free. That villainous ghost broke Gary's car window which serves him right.
5 The Fire Pole
Egon’s lab is not discovered until a few days into Phoebe and her family staying at the farm. The exact timeline isn’t told but that is beside the point. Oddly, it took Phoebe as long as it did to find the lab seeing as how she has been exploring other parts of the farm and surrounding area for days.
One of the strangest parts of the lab is the fire pole. Why put a fire pole in a barn beside the obvious callback to the other films? Furthermore, how are people getting out of the lab? Climbing that pole?
4 Podcast Living Up To His Name
Podcast gets his nickname from himself because he likes making podcasts. There’s nothing strange about that. What is strange is the fact that he is recording evidence of ghosts and other crazy phenomena with his mic instead of his phone. Even trained podcasters know when something should be filmed. Seeing proof of ghosts is one thing. Testing out nuclear weapons like the Proton Pack is another.
3 The Uniforms
There are a couple of astounding things about when the kids suit up toward the end of the movie. First, how are these jumpsuits made for adults fitting children and teenagers?
Two, why put them on in the first place? It’s not like their names are on them. They also don’t protect specifically from ghosts. Three, why did Lucky take off her shirt when everyone else just put their jumpsuits over their normal clothes? That seemed like an unnecessary act for thirsty teens like Trevor in the audience.
2 Arresting The Kids
The sheriff arresting Trevor, Podcast, and Phoebe felt very illogical. One, cops can’t arrest kids. They can detain them and park them on a bench. Tossing them in an actual jail cell was a bit too far. Even if the Sheriff was allowed to exercise his rights, Trevor would have been the only one in trouble. He was caught driving without a license.
As the eldest, he is responsible for the kids. Phoebe and Podcast shouldn’t be in any legal trouble. Also, did no one else see Muncher flying around? Surely there must have been one eyewitness to back up the kids’ story.
1 Muncher Eating Through The Jail
Eventually, the three get out of jail but they return later to get back Egon’s equipment. Without keys, it doesn’t seem possible for the kids to get the gear back. That’s when Podcast has the idea of letting Muncher go in the hopes that he will munch through the jail bars.
Podcast summons him like a Pokemon Trainer would do when they want their Pokemon to use a Hidden Move. Podcast might as well have shouted, “Muncher, use Cut on those bars.” Why Muncher did so before leaving is beyond anyone’s guess. He could have just as easily floated through the bars.