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What if your dream girl was literally a dream... and also dead?
TMDB
75

The Returning (1990)

gothic slow-burnsleepy eroticismrural dread

Overview

HorrorThriller

A successful city lawyer abandons his practice and heads out to the country. There he comes upon a stately, but neglected, homestead. He moves in, and during his first night a beautiful ghostly woman makes love to him, in his sleep. Soon his dreams become more engrossing than his everyday world and girlfriend. Gradually he unravels the tragedy of his spirit lovers' past. To respond to her call, he needs to embrace the hearafter.

Flag of USUSFlag of NZNZ
Content warning
ghostsupernaturaldeathcurse

Standout Aspects

Cinematography

Misty New Zealand countryside looks gorgeously haunted

Acting

Alison Routledge's ethereal presence carries the supernatural romance

Production

Cramped gothic interiors on clearly minimal budget

Best for:Solo: Late night when you're questioning your life choices·Streaming: Discovering obscure 90s NZ horror gems·Date Night: Only if your partner enjoys uncomfortable ghost sex
Heads up:Sexual Content: Multiple ghost-on-man sleep sex scenes, consensual-adjacent·Emotional: Suicide and child death in tragic backstory revelations
J

Director

John Day

ReleasedDec 10, 1990
Runtime1h 38m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Paceslow
Intensitymedium
Tonedark
Feelheavy
Budget$1.5M
New Zealand Film Commission
David Hannay Productions

Top Cast

Alison Routledge

Alison Routledge

Jessica Scott

Max Cullen

Max Cullen

Father Donohue

Jim Moriarty

Jim Moriarty

George

John Ewart

John Ewart

Steadman Senior

Frank Whitten

Frank Whitten

Mr Spiggs

Ask about The Returning

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Director John Day never made another feature; this remains his sole cinematic ghost.

Cultural

Shot during New Zealand's 1980s tax shelter era, when horror films bloomed from financial incentives rather than audience demand.

Reviews

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