By Peggy Phillips
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 10/12/25 – Ghost of the Game is an ambitious and heartfelt new drama from writer-director Darrell Warren, a filmmaker who isn’t afraid to merge the supernatural with the deeply human. Warren, who has previously worked across writing, directing, and even acting (Talent for the Game), has long gravitated toward stories that blend history, memory, and identity. Here, he uses the arena of sports to tackle nothing less than America’s legacy of racial division and its hope for reconciliation.
The film follows two childhood friends, one black and one white, who grow up bonded by their love of sports and a shared gift: the ability to see the ghosts of legendary athletes. Years later, as sports commentators, they find themselves pulled once again into the spectral world when those same spirits return to demand a “ghost game” that forces long-buried issues to the surface.
Among the cast is Kerry Gibson, who steps into the role of one of the sportscasters. Gibson brings a natural credibility to his role as a sportscaster. Once a standout quarterback at Hazelwood Central High School, he helped lead his team to two state championships before signing with Southern Illinois University. After pivoting from football to acting in Los Angeles, he now blends both worlds on screen. That lived experience gives his performance a grounded, genuine edge that resonates throughout the film.
The supporting cast adds richness and texture to Warren’s ambitious vision. Chris Fries, as narrator, lends gravitas, guiding the audience through the film’s layered timelines. Brayden Gleave brings warmth and vulnerability as Young Teddy, grounding the flashbacks in innocence and hope. Phil Hawn offers compelling presence as Mr. Henry, while George Vincent, credited as Tony, embodies the weight of legacy among the ‘ex-pros,’ underscoring the themes of history and memory.
Visually, Warren leans into atmosphere: classic stadiums, ghostly visions from the stands, and the blending of past and present. The “ghost game” itself becomes both literal and metaphorical, confronting racial history while asking what true teamwork looks like across divides. While ambitious, the film balances supernatural spectacle with intimate character moments, keeping the audience invested from childhood flashbacks to the climactic showdown. Warren’s direction ensures the story never loses heart. The sincerity of the performances, and Warren’s commitment to exploring America’s complex racial history through sport, make this film resonate long after the credits roll.
Ghost of the Game delivers a bold fusion of sports and the supernatural, using echoes of history to explore themes far larger than the scoreboard. And this may only be the beginning. Director Darrell Warren already has more sports films in the works, hinting at a broader vision that could form a powerful trilogy on the legacy of the game. A soulful sports drama with a supernatural twist, Ghost of the Game asks us to reckon with the past in order to play fair in the present. In this story, the ghosts don’t haunt—they remind.
Cast Highlights
• Young Carl/Teddy: Rodney Brewster and Brayden Gleave
• Adult Carl/Teddy: Jared Morgan and Andrew Elliott
• Supporting Ex-Pros: Kerry Gibson and George Vincent, guiding the journey to unity
The Creative Team
Director/Writer: Darrell Warren, known for his diverse storytelling across genres.
Cinematography: Demetre Ramos-Davis
Costume Design: Kiyomi Hara
Supporting the production are sound engineer Darla Graham, cameraman Ismael Suazo, and boom operator/ cameraman Anthony Russell, each bringing the film’s poignant vision to life.
About A Dream N’ Production
A Dream N’ Production is a micro-budget, SAG-affiliated studio dedicated to producing emotionally resonant stories. Ghost of the Game follows in the footsteps of bold storytelling from Darrell Warren’s repertoire, with themes ranging from comedy to historical drama.
