The Enfield Poltergeist

I don't watch a lot of documentaries, but I went for this one being a huge fan of horror and The Conjuring movies. It is a really well made documentary, the idea of using the real footage was excellent, it gave the whole thing the sense that everything we are watching is real and it was not manipulated to prove point A or B. I honestly don't know how to feel about the case, whether it was real or not, and I love that about the storytelling. Without spoilers, I can say that I certainly felt some shivers during the last episode that made my atheist self question the nature of our reality. I will be really surprised if this doesn't get at least an Emmy nomination. Another beast of a series from Apple.

Well made documentary by apple tv. I've seen other docs and shows about the Enfield haunting but this one is excellent and you get interviews from people who were there. The series uses Grosse's original audio tapes, and actors recreate scenes that were documented over a two-year period. Creator Jerry Rothwell supplements these with archival footage and interviews from journalists, paranormal experts and the family.

There is an inordinate amount of information to get through - as Grosse once proudly told the BBC: "This may be the best case of the century, and as far as documentation goes, it might be the best case of all time." Plus, there are dozens of agendas to wade through. The media wants a salacious story. The family want to help and to be seen as wholesome and honest. The paranormal investigators want to make a significant scientific breakthrough in their field.

...This is how to make a documentary.

The Enfield Poltergeist, arguably, checks all the required boxes with regard to making a documentary.

There are no bombastic statements to be had here. Instead there is ample research into "a case". There is an eloquently balanced presentation of various facts and hypotheses where "all sides" are allowed to; not only present their views on a series of happenings, but also explain the rationale behind their conclusions.

For some documentaries the primary objective is to present a conclusion, for some it is to objectively present facts - as to enable the viewer to form their own opinions.

The Enfield Poltergeist, most definitely falls into the latter - and it makes a stellar job of it. This is most refreshing in a time when documentaries of latter have had a tendency to present hypotheses as facts.

So there you have it, the story is told, the facts presented, now it's your prerogative to draw any conclusion you wish - and also respect anybody who's opinion may differ from yours.

Averagely well-made mini-series, but awfully slow, semi interesting and uninteresting at the same time, played good enough by the actors or who you deem potent, possible and feasible as actors, events that are not seen, events that don't make sense, absolutely no thrill, no sense of urgency at all, with just generic, depressed faces all along.

It is phlegmatic in the most British way. Won't watch another Poltergeist production on the subject for a while.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 5.5
• Development: 7.5
• Realism: 6
• Entertainment: 2
• Acting: 7.5
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 7.5
• VFX: 7.5
• Music/score/sound: 6.5
• Depth: 5
• Logic: 1
• Flow: 3.5
• Documentary/horror: 3.5
• Ending: 3.

Not only the best paranormal documentary I've seen but one of the best documentaries I've seen on any subject.

A fascinating and sophisticated approach to an extraordinary story, with a strange lip-syncing recreation that eerily echoes the phenomenon/possession itself. The voice both real and unreal.

The filmmakers have gone all out, creating a creepy atmosphere but also an investigative and objective style with some real pathos as well. It delves deep but I wish it was even longer.

This really is underseen and underrated (once again don't trust the IMDb ratings). It deserves a big audience.