Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider has built a real following in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now, and in the US on Philo and Starz Apple TV Channel among viewers who want their sci-fi to think as hard as it looks. A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome. With 6,534 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Watch it for Nicolas Cage — the performance elevates material that could easily tip into self-seriousness. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on BINGE.

Ghost Rider arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. What makes Ghost Rider work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. In order to save his dying father, young stunt cyclist Johnny Blaze sells his soul to Mephistopheles and sadly parts from the pure-hearted Roxanne Simpson, the love of his life. Years later, Johnny's path crosses again with Roxanne, now a go-getting reporter, and also with Mephistopheles, who offers to release Johnny's soul if Johnny becomes the fabled, fiery 'Ghost Rider'. Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes lead a cast that makes the ambitious moments land. It was released in 2007. What separates Ghost Rider from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. It knows exactly what it is, and does not try to be anything else.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, Ghost Rider fits the bill. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Nicolas Cage anchors it with a performance that makes the more abstract moments feel personal. If you have been burned by ambitious sci-fi before, this is the exception.