Ghost in the Machine

1993 • 95 minutes

About this movie

Computer-store employee Karl Hochman (Ted Marcoux) is secretly "The Address Book Killer" - he steals people's address books and kills everybody listed within, as well as the book's owner. When Terry Munroe (Karen Allen) accidentally leaves her address book behind at the store, Karl is in pursuit - but he instead ends up in a car accident. While being CAT scanned the hospital is struck by lightning and Karl's mind is converted to electrical impulses turning him into a near-omniscient computer virus that can also travel via electrical lines. He begins murdering Terry's friends via household items such as microwave ovens and hair dryers. Fortunately, Terry's son Josh figures out what's going on, and the pair enlist genius hacker Bram Walker to fight the "Karl virus."

Ratings and reviews

This high concept sci-fi movie is entertaining enough if you can excuse the awfully dated early 1990s art designs and the CGI effects. Director Rachel Talalay (Tank Girl; Freddy's Dead) ensures that a layer of ever-present threat is felt from the disembodied and nasty antagonist. Karen Allen is the standout and compellingly holds the attention with gravitas throughout.

Way ahead of it's time. Fun, ridiculous and a great concept. Plug on in.