Emily Alyn Lind’s role as the sarcastic ghost Melody was a great addition to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, yet her mere existence creates a huge Ghostbusters problem. While the core of the Ghostbusters franchise has always been the main team of ghost hunters, the spirits themselves are also integral to the movies. Their antics lead to much of the films’ comedy, but also the greatest conflicts. Ultimately, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire’s cast introduces a ghostly phenomenon that brings into question the entire franchise’s world of ghosts.

Over the course of the Ghostbusters movies, the franchise has introduced a ghost classification system. This allows audiences to continue seeing some of their favorite specters, such as the Slimers or the Stay Puft Marshmallow Men. On the other hand, it also gives the movie parameters to create new ghostly characters. For example, a Ghostbusters installment can come up with spirit enemies that range from a Class I ghost to a Class VII. While Class I is an occurrence like flashing lights, Class VII is a human form with incredible powers. Yet, some ghosts don’t fit this framework.

Emily Alyn Lind’s Melody Makes Ghosts More Confusing In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

Meoldy Is The First Ghost To Communicate

In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Phoebe forms a bond with a ghost named Melody. Although Melody is an intriguing character who brings extra drama and excitement to the plot, she also messes with Ghostbusters lore. Throughout the Ghostbusters franchise, there has never been a ghost that communicates the way that Melody does. While ghosts have certainly been shown to affect their surroundings or possess others, they have never spoken to another human, much less a Ghostbuster. In this way, Melody is a complete anomaly in the Ghostbusters world.

If ghosts are able to appear as Melody does, and hold long conversations with humans, then why hasn’t this come up before?

Melody’s existence brings into question Ghostbusters lore. If ghosts are able to appear as Melody does, and hold long conversations with humans, then why hasn’t this come up before? If Melody can form a special relationship with Phoebe, then it stands to reason that other ghosts would be able to do the same thing. In fact, it only makes sense that this would happen fairly often. Furthermore, Melody brings into question the goodness of ghosts. Previously, it was insinuated that all ghosts needed to be exterminated. Melody’s story proves that some ghosts possess a conscience and morals.

Ghost Classifications Don’t Fully Explain Melody In Frozen Empire

Future Ghostbusters Movies Need To Explain Phoebe & Melody’s Relationship

The worst part of the Frozen Empire Melody confusion is that it defies the laws of the Ghostbusters ghost classifications. Considering that Melody can take a human form, speak, and possess others, it would seem that she is a Class VII ghost. However, based on the description of a Class VII ghost, that doesn’t seem quite right. Melody could not change her form at will, nor could she summon pests. In reality, she had very little power against Garraka, and seemed quite harmless compared to Ghostbusters’ most powerful ghosts.

Every Ghostbusters Movie

Movie
Release Date

Ghostbusters
June 8, 1984

Ghostbusters II

June 16, 1989

Ghostbusters
July 15, 2016

Ghostbusters: Afterlife
November 19, 2021

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
March 22, 2024

Overall, Melody raises more questions than answers. This is why the Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire should have dug deeper into Melody and her connection to Phoebe. Perhaps their relationship was a one-time thing that came as a result of Phoebe’s acute connection to ghosts. Maybe there are more ghosts like Melody that the Ghostbusters simply haven’t met yet. Either way, Ghostbusters 6 needs to provide some explanation as to Melody’s existence.