Enfield Poltergeist

The story will be well enough known to people of a certain age, so I won't go over it again.

This.....for the first time ever, is a telling of the tale that rips itself free of the awful Conjuring sticky fingers, the hugely entertaining (but fanciful) Timothy Spall interpretation of 2015, and all of the other "point and laugh" contemporary ridicule pieces of the late 70s and early 80s.

The meticulous set builds for the interior of the home, the superb decision to lip sync to Maurice Grosse's original tapes, and the non sensationalist, non judgemental space and breadth given to this who were there to tell their stories added up to a fresh (and refreshing) take on a story that had become perilously close to being lost forever.

For once, the terms "for information" or "for enlightenment" can stand on slightly higher ground than the lazy default "for entertainment only" that has allowed content makers to throw whatever they like into the telling of any given story.

A heartfelt "thank you" to everyone in the making of this docudrama. It's heartening to know that there's still film makers out there willing to resist the addition of sensationalist fiction to gild an already fully formed lily.

A very smartly done documentary, with actors lip-syncing to the recordings of the owners, neighbors, and those affected by the going's on in that house. Eerie seeing and not seeing what was going on, knowing the reactions are real from the sound - the actors did a very good job of keeping everything in context.

High praises to the filmmakers for keeping us in mind that this is ours to evaluate - from the occasional peeks behind the sets to the real interviews with neighbors, reporters and photographers and ultimately the 2 girls at the center. Just when you think you've made up your mind, you get more information, and then you rethink, then more and a rethink..

Definitely worth seeking out and having a weekend watch party - the tone shifts in episodes 3, and again in 4, but the combined effect is something my wife and I talk about still.

Thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end, and the scientific approach taken was just amazing. Very agnostic perspective. This documentary is for those interested in evidence and who want to look at the paranormal phenomenon through a more scientific lens. It's scary because it's about poltergeist, but it doesn't give off the vibe that it's meant to be a "spooky" documentary to watch for Halloween. It's a thoroughly informative and intellectual documentary. I couldn't stop watching! There aren't many documentaries out there that take the paranormal phenomenon seriously or that have such compelling evidence. I just can't give enough praise for this.

A rating in this site that's less than an 8 is just not reflecting the value that this documentary provides to those who are truly into parapsychology, ESP, and high strangeness.

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.

...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.