Ghost Rider (2007), directed by Mark Steven Johnson, is a supernatural superhero film that dives into the origins of Marvel’s hell-bound anti-hero, Johnny Blaze. With a flaming skull, a cursed past, and a Harley-Davidson, this film combines dark supernatural elements with classic superhero action.
Detailed Summary
Johnny Blaze’s Pact with the Devil
The movie begins by introducing Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage), a talented motorcycle stunt rider. When Johnny’s father is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he makes a deal with the devil—Mephistopheles (Peter Fonda)—to save his father’s life. In exchange, Johnny unwittingly sells his soul, binding himself to a curse.
While the deal cures his father’s cancer, his dad dies shortly after in a motorcycle accident, leaving Johnny devastated and under Mephistopheles’ control. The tragedy and betrayal shape Johnny’s path for the rest of his life.
The Rise of Ghost Rider
Years later, Johnny is a renowned stuntman, performing death-defying feats but living in constant fear of his cursed soul. One night, Mephistopheles comes to collect, turning Johnny into the Ghost Rider, the devil’s bounty hunter. As the Ghost Rider, Johnny is tasked with hunting down Blackheart (Wes Bentley), Mephistopheles’ rogue son who seeks to overthrow his father by finding an ancient contract that will give him immense power.
Johnny’s transformation is one of the movie’s most memorable moments: his flesh burns away, leaving only a flaming skull. This scene is as metal as it sounds.
Blackheart and His Minions
Blackheart teams up with three elemental demons—Gressil, Wallow, and Abigor—to locate the contract that will grant him dominion over a thousand souls. As Johnny grapples with his new powers and responsibilities, he must learn to control the Ghost Rider, stop Blackheart, and keep the love of his life, Roxanne Simpson (Eva Mendes), safe.
Ghost Rider’s Showdown with Blackheart
The film builds to a final showdown between Ghost Rider and Blackheart. Armed with the contract, Blackheart absorbs a thousand evil souls and becomes Legion, an all-powerful being. But Johnny, using the Penance Stare, a power that forces sinners to experience all the pain they’ve caused, defeats Blackheart. The Penance Stare is arguably Ghost Rider’s most badass weapon.
Johnny’s Decision
After defeating Blackheart, Mephistopheles offers to release Johnny from his curse. However, Johnny refuses, choosing to keep the powers of the Ghost Rider to fight evil on his own terms. This sets up potential future adventures and marks Johnny’s full acceptance of his fate as a cursed hero.
Movie Ending
The movie concludes with Johnny embracing his identity as the Ghost Rider. Instead of freeing himself from the curse, Johnny decides to use his powers for good, rejecting Mephistopheles’ control. With his fiery vengeance intact, he rides off, determined to take down the forces of darkness.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Ghost Rider does not have any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the movie is officially over, so there’s no need to stick around for a Marvel-style stinger at the end.
Type of Movie
Ghost Rider is a supernatural superhero film with strong elements of horror and action. It mixes the classic good-versus-evil superhero narrative with dark, occult themes.
Cast
- Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze / Ghost Rider
- Eva Mendes as Roxanne Simpson
- Wes Bentley as Blackheart
- Peter Fonda as Mephistopheles
- Sam Elliott as The Caretaker (Carter Slade / Phantom Rider)
- Donal Logue as Mack
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Christopher Young, who is known for creating eerie and intense music that fits the supernatural tone of the movie. The soundtrack includes a blend of rock and orchestral elements that complement the dark, rebellious spirit of Ghost Rider. There are also rock tracks that add to Johnny Blaze’s bad-boy persona, including songs by Spiderbait and The Rise.
Filming Locations
- Melbourne, Australia was the primary filming location for Ghost Rider. The city was transformed to look like various U.S. cities and desert environments.
- Broken Hill, an iconic desert location in Australia, was used to create the barren landscapes seen in Johnny’s confrontations with demonic forces.
These locations helped create the stark, eerie environments essential for the film’s supernatural tone, particularly the wide-open desert, which symbolizes Johnny’s isolation and the bleakness of his cursed existence.
Awards and Nominations
While the film wasn’t a major awards contender, it was nominated for a few lesser-known categories, including:
- Teen Choice Awards for “Choice Movie: Action.”
- Golden Trailer Awards for Best Sound Editing.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Nicolas Cage, a huge Ghost Rider comic fan, brought his own real-life Ghost Rider tattoos to the role—though they had to be covered up with makeup!
- Cage also improvised many of his Ghost Rider gestures, including pointing and staring down villains in a stylized manner.
- Eva Mendes revealed in interviews that she found it difficult to keep a straight face during some of the over-the-top supernatural scenes.
- The movie’s bike, the Hellcycle, was custom-designed to look like a demonic machine, complete with flames and spikes.
- The flaming skull effect took months of development, combining CGI and motion capture technology to get the iconic look right.
Inspirations and References
Ghost Rider is directly inspired by the Marvel comic series of the same name, created by Roy Thomas, Gary Friedrich, and Mike Ploog. The movie stays faithful to the comic’s dark, gothic themes and anti-hero narrative.
The film also draws on classic occult and Faustian tales—the deal with the devil, the cursed hero, and themes of redemption versus damnation all echo these literary traditions.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
No major alternate endings have been reported for the film. However, there are a few deleted scenes, including an extended sequence where Johnny wrestles with his curse and seeks out The Caretaker (Sam Elliott) for more guidance. These scenes primarily served to flesh out the Ghost Rider mythology but were cut for pacing reasons.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The film sticks fairly close to the general Ghost Rider comic storyline, though the movie emphasizes Johnny Blaze’s internal struggle with his curse more than the comics. The film also simplifies some of the comic lore, avoiding some of the more complex occult references.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Johnny Blaze transforming into the Ghost Rider for the first time.
- The showdown between Ghost Rider and Blackheart’s elemental demons.
- The epic motorcycle ride with The Caretaker, as the two Riders blaze through the desert.
Iconic Quotes
- Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider: “You can’t live in fear.”
- The Caretaker: “Any man who’s got the guts to sell his soul for love, has the power to change the world.”
- Blackheart: “I’m gonna bring hell to you.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Carter Slade, played by Sam Elliott, is a nod to Phantom Rider, a character from earlier Marvel Western comics who also had supernatural abilities.
- Nicolas Cage’s personal love for comic books is reflected in Johnny Blaze’s obsession with Elvis, another rebellious icon.
- The number 666 (the number of the beast) appears subtly in some backgrounds, a reference to Ghost Rider’s demonic themes.
Trivia
- Nicolas Cage reportedly had a special regimen to prepare for the role, including eating jelly beans as a “diet” to match Johnny Blaze’s quirky habits.
- Cage had long wanted to play a superhero and was previously considered for the role of Superman in Tim Burton’s Superman Lives project.
- The film’s Hellcycle was inspired by classic chopper motorcycles with a hellish twist.
Why Watch?
If you’re into dark, supernatural superheroes with a flair for the dramatic, Ghost Rider is a wild ride. Between Nicolas Cage’s intense performance, the fiery special effects, and the film’s demonic themes, it’s a visually unique experience in the superhero genre. Plus, it’s packed with motorcycle stunts and flaming skulls, which is always a plus.
Director’s Other Movies
- Daredevil (2003)
- Simon Birch (1998)
- When in Rome (2010)
- Killing Season (2013)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
- Blade (1998)
- Spawn (1997)
- Constantine (2005)
- The Punisher (2004)
