“The Enfield Poltergeist” review: between the supernatural and fraud

Popularized by the saga Warren Filescall Enfield poltergeist, still causes constant debate about its plausibility. What is often cited as one of the best and most documented supernatural cases of the 20th century is bound to generate controversy. First, it covers what may be real or well-thought-out fraud. All this in the midst of a series of unexplained events that captured England’s attention in the 1970s. Director James Wan turned the event into a study in supernatural horror. In addition to bringing in self-proclaimed demonologists Lorraine and Ed Warren as a crucial element of the happy ending to an event with demonic overtones.

Four-part documentary Enfield poltergeist from Apple TV+, steps away from science fiction to provide a detailed reconstruction of what happened. This includes the use of video, photographs and audio recorded during events. At the same time, allow some of the main characters, who have been subjected to public ridicule and curiosity for over forty years, to express their point of view. Accused of fraud, the Hodgson family, amid discussions and debates about their credibility, found themselves under intense media scrutiny. At the same time, complaints and accusations from British social services. And all this after suffering inexplicable events that lasted more than 17 months.

Fear from an everyday point of view

The Apple TV+ series attempts to present a point of view that approaches scientific rigor. However, there is no clear intention to confront the statements of fact or even to subject them to evaluation. The idea of ​​the production is clear: to show step by step how the horrifying experience of a family was released. Including an accurate reconstruction of the Hodgson house in London.

Something that will allow the argument to have realistic weight. After all, every line and scene in the script is based directly on the file of Maurice Gross, the paranormal investigator who led the case. But in addition to analyzing what happened, the expert also accumulated hundreds of irrefutable evidence of this phenomenon. On the other hand, is this true?

Between confidence and fraud

From the very first episode, the documentary makes it clear that its intention is to bring into the public domain supposed evidence of a paranormal event that affected the Hodgson family. This point, while interesting, leads to his main problem. There is no second version and there is no one that would contradict what is shown on the screen.. While there are some dissenting voices – and the argument includes disbelief about what happened – the balance of evidence leans towards the evidence.

Thus, the overall goal is to show how an event escalates until it becomes a threat to the physical and mental health of the victims. Little by little, what begins as a series of strange noises ends with objects moving on their own and even a documented visit from the police. Four episodes tell essentially the same story: how the supernatural manifests itself and can be captured on cameras and audio tapes.

However, production does not reach the central intersection. Could every thing shown be caused by obvious factors or simple interference? While much of the episode features voices raised to deny or outright accuse Hodgson of lying, there is no objectivity in the vague statements of neighbors and disbelieving voices. Instead, there is a panel of experts in different fields who make it clear that the evidence presented may be reliable. Even if they are in certain circumstances and as long as they are not subject to greater scrutiny.

In the end, a case without answers

For your final chapter, Enfield poltergeist It’s much more of a realistic game with elaborate graphics than the investigative documentary it claims to be. The controversy becomes more complicated when the series lays out its premise. Especially when he tries to bring a new perspective to discussions about what happened. But this still does not allow for deeper research.

Did events really occur that were inexplicable even to 21st century scientists? The most unfortunate thing is that the production gives the opportunity to carefully examine the events it tells, but it does not do this. Worse, he insists on creating something more like a horror movie than a hypothesis. this can be demonstrated—or disproved—with the materials at our disposal.

Having an almost cinematic feel, the series lacks ambition in telling its story. Since the goal is to scare rather than inform, its fundamental question is not answered. Was what happened to Hodgson real or not? The production avoids any direct answer. This point detracts from the creative effort and especially the intention of the argument to head an essentially skeptical public, a case that surprised British opinion. Its biggest problem is one that it fails to resolve in its memorable, if empty and misleading, final episode.