Before Jason Statham rose to fame as an action star in The Transporter, he took an unconventional turn into sci-fi horror by starring in John Carpenter’s 2001 film, Ghosts of Mars. Although the movie failed at the box office and was critically panned, it has since developed a cult following. Now, with Roku’s new streaming service Howdy, it is easier than ever for viewers to revisit this unusual and divisive film.
Howdy launched on August 5 with a $2.99 monthly fee and offers an ad-free viewing experience, featuring movies and TV shows from major studios including Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery, and FilmRise. The service includes acclaimed titles such as Mad Max: Fury Road, Back to the Future, and Elvis, alongside Ghosts of Mars, whose notorious reception kept Carpenter away from directing for nearly ten years.
Plot Overview: Mars, Possession, and Survival
Set in the year 2176, Ghosts of Mars follows a team of Martian law enforcement officers, including Jericho Butler (Jason Statham), Melanie Ballard (Natasha Henstridge), and Helena Braddock (Pam Grier), who are dispatched to the mining settlement of Shining Canyon. Their mission is to transport the dangerous prisoner Desolation Williams (Ice Cube). However, they discover that the colony’s excavation has unleashed ancient Martian spirits that possess inhabitants, transforming them into violent killers. In a classic John Carpenter twist, enemies, including cops and criminals, must join forces to survive this deadly threat.
Initial Backlash and Rising Cult Appreciation
Upon release, Ghosts of Mars was widely dismissed by critics, holding only a 23% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was mostly overlooked by moviegoers. The film earned back just half of its $28 million production budget, marking a low point in Carpenter’s career and leading to a nine-year break before his final directorial effort, The Ward, arrived in 2010. Despite this rocky start, the film’s blend of camp, neo-Western elements, and self-aware pulp style gradually earned respect among fans of Carpenter’s work.
In an unexpected endorsement, acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino included Ghosts of Mars among his favorite films of the 21st century, alongside notable art-house films such as In the Mood for Love and A History of Violence. Guadagnino and other supporters appreciate the film as a deliberately over-the-top B-movie, offering gory thrills and unapologetic stylistic choices.
A glimpse into Jason Statham’s formative career and Carpenter’s unique vision
Jason Statham’s portrayal of Jericho Butler remains a snapshot of his early acting years, before becoming known as Hollywood’s go-to tough guy. For viewers and Carpenter enthusiasts, Ghosts of Mars presents a chance to explore one of the director’s most unconventional and divisive films, highlighting Carpenter’s experimental spirit outside his better-known horror successes like Halloween and The Thing.
Ghosts of Mars is currently available for streaming on the Roku Channel through the Howdy service, inviting both longtime fans and new audiences to experience this sci-fi horror oddity.
