Gozer

**Gozer**, also known by its alternate title of **Gozer the Gozerian** among its other names: **Gozer the Destructor**, **Volguus Zildrohar**, **Gozer the Traveler** and **Lord of the Sebouillia**, is the main antagonist of the Ghostbusters franchise, appearing as the main antagonist of the 1984 film *Ghostbusters* and its 2021 sequel *Ghostbusters: Afterlife*. Gozer is the archenemy of the Ghostbusters. It is an ancient, destructive, ultra-powerful, defamatory, and malignant god-like entity that sought to destroy the world using a legion of evil spirits. Gozer was worshipped as a deity by the Hittites, Mesopotamians, and Sumerians around 6000 BC. Gozer is genderless (though it first appears as a female in the movie). It was worshipped by the powerful Cult of Gozer. Gozer has two trusted minions, themselves worshipped as demi-gods, that are harbingers and primary agents for its coming, being Vinz Clortho (The Keymaster) and Zuul (The Gatekeeper).

## History

Gozer was an ancient Sumerian god from Babylonian times, as well as the god of certain cultures; the Hittites, Mesopotamians, and the Sumerians around 6,000 B.C., and they are known as "The Destructor" who would destroy worlds it visits - taking a new "Destructor" form for each dimension. Despite this, they were worshiped by many people - although their popularity died out over the centuries, the large sub-culture of fanatical Gozerians disbanded, and itself being banished from the mortal world by its hated immortal sister Tiamat and/or its worshippers. After a long protracted war, it and its own disciples lost, and by the modern age, very few active worshipers of Gozer remained.

### Ghostbusters

By the time the Ghostbusters had started going into business, Gozer had already set its sights on Earth as her next world to be destroyed - sending its demonic minions (the Gatekeeper and the Keymaster) into the mortal world to possess two human beings so as to open a portal that would allow Gozer to enter the mortal world.

Ultimately, the two demigods succeeded in finding and possessing suitable human hosts and through their bodies opening the portal and Gozer emerged out of his own Temple on the roof of a skyscraper - the Ghostbusters were surprised when Gozer revealed itself as a humanoid female (for much of the film, the Ghostbusters were under the impression Gozer was a male, though Egon simply explained it as such "whatever it wants to be").

At any rate, Ray somewhat foolishly attempts to tell Gozer to return to their own dimension and angers them, causing the god to electrocute the entire team with energy - the Ghostbusters recover and try to fight back with their proton packs, but are unable to harm Gozer, who suddenly vanishes.

Gozer then reveals to the team it will reappear as the "Destructor" - taking form from whatever thoughts they may form in their heads, the team manage to clear their thoughts in an effort to defeat them, but Ray cannot help himself; he envisions the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, and within moments, Gozer takes that form - a giant Stay Puft Marshmallow Man then starts to cause havoc in New York.

In the climatic battle, Stay Puft climbs the building and the Ghostbusters fry him with their proton-packs but still cannot defeat the god - ultimately, they are forced to cross the streams, and the resulting explosion destroys the Temple of Gozer, blows up Stay Puft - causing Gozer to disperse in a shower of molten marshmallow.

### Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Gozer returns as the main antagonist. Throughout the film, its likeness is carved into stone monuments and is mentioned numerous times. During the third act, it emerges from the pit inside the Shandor mine built as a temple by Ivo Shandor, who greets them upon their arrival. After asking to rule Earth together, Shandor is ripped in half by Gozer's bare hands. It reunites with Zuul and Vinz Clortho, before being interrupted by Phoebe Spengler who distract it with tasteless jokes. Gozer enquires if Phoebe is there to sacrifice herself, which Phoebe denies, distracting it long enough for a ghost trap to capture Zuul, severely weakening Gozer and turning it into a non-corporeal form. Gozer and Vinz Clortho pursue the Ghostbusters team to the Spengler Farm. The team attempts to trap it in the massive ghost trap surrounding the farm, but this fails, due to an electrical failure. Gozer destroys the ghost trap containing Zuul, who promptly possesses Lucky Domingo. Just as Gozer is about the kill the Spengler family with lightning, the original three surviving Ghostbusters arrive. Gozer mockingly asks Ray "are you a God?", who replies with "yes". The trio blast Gozer with their proton packs and cross the streams. However, Gozer uncrosses the streams and goes in for the kill. Phoebe blasts Gozer from behind, prompting it to engage her in single combat. Phoebe is aided by the spirit of her grandfather, Egon Spengler, giving all the Ghostbusters the opportunity to blast Gozer with their proton packs, trapping it in place and allowing for the giant trap to be reinvigorated by a blast by Trevor. Gozer, Zuul and Vinz Clortho are subsequently captured in the traps.