A Useful Ghost | Barbican

In this wildly camp debut that's both political and joyous, a ghost has returned as a vacuum cleaner.

When an ‘academic ladyboy’ is disturbed by a malfunctioning household appliance, a mysterious repairman arrives and relates a strange tale.

He explains that March, the son of a prominent manufacturing family, was recently widowed and his deceased wife, Nat, has returned in the form of a vacuum cleaner. Soon it emerges that she is one of many ghosts who have possessed appliances and machinery as they seek revenge, meaning, and love.

This extraordinary feature debut by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke commences as a satire about industrial pollution, but broadens into a wildly camp attack on the Thai establishment, cultural hypocrisy, and political violence. In a film plentiful with queer pleasures, Apasiri Nitibhon steals the show with her wonderfully deadpan performance as March’s beleaguered mother.

Tagged with: Cinema Queer East Festival 2026

Cinema 3

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.

Access
Level access from the Pit floor foyer only to the two boxes (see Mobility below). All other seats lead off stepped aisles.

Mobility
Two boxes at the rear of the auditorium each have space for one wheelchair user and a companion. Please book early and ask for these seats.

Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking, to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.

Hearing facility
There is an induction loop in the auditorium. You can use this by adjusting your hearing aid to the ‘T’ setting.

For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.

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A Useful Ghost (15*)

Queer East Festival 2026

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