Ghosts of the Ozarks

The 2021 film Ghosts of the Ozarks is an independent supernatural thriller directed by Matt Glass and Jordan Wayne Long. Combining elements of horror, mystery, western, science fiction, and Southern Gothic storytelling, the film is set in the Arkansas Ozarks during the Reconstruction era. Filmed entirely in Arkansas and featuring a cast that includes Thomas Hobson, Tim Blake Nelson, David Arquette, Angela Bettis, Phil Morris, and Tara Perry, the production represents one of the most ambitious Arkansas-made independent feature films of the early 2020s.

In 2016, filmmakers Jordan Wayne Long and Matt Glass produced a short film that explored many of the concepts later they expanded into the feature. Following the completion of the short film, Long collaborated with Tara Perry on a feature-length screenplay. Sean Anthony Davis received story credit. The expanded narrative retained the isolated Ozarks setting while developing more complex character relationships and thematic concerns.

The film was produced independently on an estimated budget of approximately $1 million. Financing came primarily from private investors who were persuaded by the filmmakers’ proof-of-concept materials and long-term vision for the project. One of the most significant pre-production efforts involved the construction of the fictional town of Norfork (not to be confused with the actual town Norfork in Baxter County). Approximately nine months before filming began, Jordan Wayne Long undertook the development of practical town sets in Arkansas. These sets served not only as filming locations but also as demonstration pieces used to attract additional financing and cast commitments. Arkansas native Tara Perry became deeply involved in the project as co-writer, actor, and casting director. Established performers such as David Arquette and Tim Blake Nelson brought additional visibility to the production.

Preparation coincided with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. As a result, the film became one of the first Arkansas productions to move forward under newly established health protocols. Producers worked with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Film Office to develop procedures that would allow filming to proceed safely.

Set in 1866, shortly after the end of the Civil War, the film follows James “Doc” McCune (Thomas Hobson), a young Black physician and former Union army medic. McCune receives a letter from his uncle Matthew McCune (Phil Morris) inviting him to relocate to the remote Ozarks settlement of Norfork and establish a medical practice. Upon arriving, Doc discovers what appears to be a thriving frontier community. Surrounded by dense forests and protected by imposing wooden walls, Norfork presents itself as a haven from the instability and violence affecting much of the postwar South. Residents appear united, productive, and devoted to maintaining the settlement’s prosperity.

Beneath this orderly surface, however, Doc encounters growing signs of unease. The townspeople speak of mysterious “ghosts” that emerge from the surrounding woods in clouds of red mist. Residents attribute disappearances, mutilations, and unexplained deaths to these supernatural entities and follow strict customs designed to avoid provoking them. As Doc settles into his new role, he begins to question both the legends and the motives of the town’s leaders. He learns that fear of the entities beyond the walls plays a central role in maintaining social order within the settlement. Among those who influence his investigation is the skeptical and independent Annie (Tara Perry), a former physician living on the fringes of the community. Through his interactions with Annie and others, Doc gradually uncovers evidence that the town’s leadership may be concealing deeper truths regarding both the supernatural threat and the origins of the settlement itself.

Rounding out the main cast are Tim Blake Nelson, who plays Torb, a blind barkeeper whose cryptic behavior and unsettling demeanor make him one of the film’s most memorable characters, and David Arquette, who portrays Douglas, an important figure within the town’s power structure. Additional cast members include Angela Bettis as Lucille, Joseph Ruud as William, David Aaron Baker as Jesse, Graham Gordy as Samuel, Neva Howell as Miss Roberts, Scott Dean as Micah, Ed Lowry as Dovvy, Aaron Preusch as Joe, Brandon Gibson as Mick, and John Perry as Jebediah.

Principal photography began on June 18, 2020, in northeastern Arkansas. Filming occurred primarily around Trumann (Poinsett County) and Harrisburg (Poinsett County), with the Parker Pioneer Homestead serving as one of the production’s most significant locations. The filmmakers intentionally relied upon practical locations and constructed sets rather than extensive digital environments, giving the film a tactile and historically grounded appearance. The production faced numerous challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Crew sizes were reduced, safety protocols were implemented, and logistical adjustments became necessary throughout the filming process. Despite these obstacles, production was completed in approximately thirty shooting days.

Ghosts of the Ozarks premiered at the Austin Film Festival on October 21, 2021. Prior to its United States release, the film became available through an internet release in Mexico on October 20, 2021. Brianna Quick won the award for Best Costumes at FilmQuest 2021.

XYZ Films acquired distribution rights and released the film theatrically and through video-on-demand platforms on February 3, 2022. Marketing materials emphasized the film’s Southern Gothic atmosphere, historical setting, and ensemble cast, particularly highlighting the participation of Nelson, Arquette, and Bettis.

The film subsequently screened at Grimmfest in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2022. Releases on DVD and Blu-ray followed on April 19, 2022, through Vertical Entertainment. The film later became available through numerous digital platforms and streaming services.

Critical response was mixed. Reviewers generally praised the film’s production design, atmosphere, and performances while expressing reservations about pacing and narrative structure. Nelson’s performance as Torb received particular acclaim, with several critics identifying him as one of the production’s strongest elements. The film’s re-creation of a post–Civil War Ozarks settlement and its effective use of Arkansas locations also received widespread praise.

Commercially, the film achieved only limited theatrical success, being released during a period when many independent productions struggled to attract audiences following pandemic-related disruptions, and its financial performance relied largely upon digital distribution and home-media sales. Although it did not become a major commercial success, the film developed a modest following among fans of folk horror and independent genre cinema.

For additional information:
Ghosts of the Ozarks. https://www.ghostsoftheozarks.com/ (accessed September 18, 2026).

“Ghosts of the Ozarks.” Internet Movie Database. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11186952/ (accessed September 18, 2026).

“‘Ghosts of the Ozarks’ from HCT Media and Actor/Producer Tim Blake Nelson and David Arquette Begins Filming in Arkansas.” Arkansas Economic Development Commission, June 18, 2020. https://www.arkansasedc.com/news-events/newsroom/detail/2020/06/18/shooting-starts-on-tim-blake-nelson-indie-feature-ghosts-of-the-ozarks-in-arkansas (accessed September 18, 2026).

Topic, Al. “Chasing Down ‘Ghosts of the Ozarks.’” Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, September 30, 2022. https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2022/sep/30/chasing-down-ghosts-of-the-ozarks/ (accessed September 18, 2026).

Todd Dial
Central Arkansas Library System