Karl Hoffman (Ted Marcoux), who works in a computer store, is actually a deadly serial killer known as the "Address Book Killer" because he goes after all the people in an individual's address book. His latest would-be victim is Terry Monroe (Karen Allen), who has a young son named Josh (Wil Horneff) and who inadvertently leaves her address book at the aforementioned computer store. An added complication is that Hoffman is in a car accident, and while he is getting an MRI an electrical surge pulls his brain patterns, or soul, into the computer and electrical systems. Hoffman's body may be dead, but his malevolent mind is still very active and as sadistic as ever. Before long Terry's friends and associates are being killed via electronics, with microwaves, dishwashers, and the like going berserk and causing death and destruction. Terry and Josh team up with infamous hacker Bram Walker (Chris Mulkey) to figure out a way to permanently dissipate this frightening and powerful entity.
Ghost in the Machine is somewhat similar to Wes Craven's Shocker, but it is a better picture. There is an interesting use of graphics such as when the killer invades a virtual reality game being played by Josh and his buddy. The scenes with the electronic death traps are generally well-handled and suspenseful. A standout sequence occurs when Josh is nearly drowned when Hoffman operates the cover over the pool and the boy desperately tries to get out before it completely entraps him. I wish the climax had been a bit more exciting, however, and the score does absolutely nothing for the movie.
Verdict: Well-acted, interesting, absorbing horror flick. ***.
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