I love paranormal programs, but not just any programs, as some don't have experts on the matter nor the sufficient research before airing. What I have enjoyed about "A HAUNTING" has been the narrator's voice, the fact that it deals with well-documented cases (I was familiar with some cases such as the one based on the book "In A Dark Place," although the names were changed on TV), the interviews with the actual people involved (including many reputable experts and investigators), and the realistic dramatizations. The show doesn't poke fun at the subject, nor does it exaggerate and over dramatize the events. The show simply represents the facts (as given), is non-biased, and allows the viewer to form their own opinions. The music is effective too. I really enjoyed some of the two-hour specials they had on a couple of years ago. Hopefully, there will be enough viewers to get the keep the program on the air.
63 Reviews
Intense & Entertaining
She_Witch28 July 2019
I have watched just about every paranormal themed show out there. This one is well put together. The stories are sincere & not over exaggerated and there are no cheesy cheap scares or unnecessary screams for effect. The re-enactments are realistic as well. The people who experienced these hauntings are not the only ones who relay the details of the activity. Neighbors, family, friends, priests & others (such as psychics & paranormal investigators) all shed light and details regarding their encounters and observations also.
Very similar to Celebrity Ghost Stories & Paranormal Witness, but I feel, with an eerie authenticity that is frequently pretty unnerving. Also, there are guest appearances from the Warrens, Amy Allen and others known in paranormal circles.
Very similar to Celebrity Ghost Stories & Paranormal Witness, but I feel, with an eerie authenticity that is frequently pretty unnerving. Also, there are guest appearances from the Warrens, Amy Allen and others known in paranormal circles.
Truly terrifying
dorotka2416 August 2007
I've always been interested in the paranormal, and there are not many dramas that do justice to what must be a fearful experience. Not all of the episodes of "A Haunting" are great, but those that are I found to be as terrifying as any drama regarding the paranormal, on TV or in the theater. The creators most certainly have taken the stories they are given and had plenty of creative license with them, but that doesn't bother me a bit. If you want more "realism" in your paranormal show, then there are a number of reality haunted house shows, EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) recordings, and the like that could occupy days of your time, but I frankly become quite bored with such things. Definitely give this series a look.
A Haunting gets an A Plus
gregoryirish20015 January 2007
My wife and I have found this show "A Haunting" to be very entertaining and shows what many people have been through. While some of the shows may appear to be strange and some of the characters might appear to be different, just think how it would affect you to live through some of these events as they are. They have endured situations that most of you would not be able to handle yourselves. I hope that this show continues to put out new episodes. Of the episodes we liked are, "Fear House", "Hidden Terror", "Unleashed", "Gateway to Hell" (which was about a nightclub that was owned by Bobby Mackey. the country musician), "A Haunting in Ireland" and "Darkness Follows". Discovery Channel has a winner with this show. Keep up the good work.
Great show.
Roger_Sterling18 February 2006
This show isn't like those other try-to-make-it-look-real-but-fail-miserably type of shows. It really makes it look real. I really hope discovery channel lets it have a long run. it's got me hooked. Not to mention the fact that the show scares the crap out of me most of the time.
Honestly, the discovery channel has made a good decision airing this. The narrator really has a voice that sounds, well, i don't want to say creep, but serious. Suitable for the show. I can't believe this is the first comment for this show. It's outstanding. New episodes start airing March 17. I will be watching. And so should you, especially if you love these paranormal type of shows.
Honestly, the discovery channel has made a good decision airing this. The narrator really has a voice that sounds, well, i don't want to say creep, but serious. Suitable for the show. I can't believe this is the first comment for this show. It's outstanding. New episodes start airing March 17. I will be watching. And so should you, especially if you love these paranormal type of shows.
Friends have related encounters...
dskok-117 December 2006
I have countless friends, all of which do not talk readily about nor have an obsession with paranormal occurrences confess to experiencing encounters with entities. From plain as day sighting of aparitions going about their daily business in an old apartment to others hearing voices and loud sounds of horses running into their house on a nightly basis (a new house at the time). Others experiencing aparitions in a house that the owners reported noises and trunks moving across an attic floor. This is just a sampling, I have heard of many more. The persons that related these experiences are reluctant if not embarrassed to admit their encounter after I tell them about the 'ghost stories' recounted on "A Haunting". As a child I witnessed unexplainable sightings of aparitions and movement of objects. As an adult I would be terrified if I encountered the happenings related by my friends or persons on the series. I have no doubt that the stories that friends (and relatives) related are true and have no doubt that the extremes portrayed in "a Haunting" are true.
Sooo much better than most!
vegacanes7 December 2006
I love the show Ghost Hunters. I love anything that will creep me out. When I saw this on the menu I thought I would give it a try thinking it would have actual footage not crappy reenactments. When I saw that it was just that I almost turned it off. There are too many of these shows with worse acting and really stupid stories, not to mention god awful special effect that I could do from my home computer. I am so happy I didn't. This show really had some creepy moments. Good directing. There were a couple of bad SFX, but overall I really liked it! I also liked some of the actors in it. Hoping to see what else they had done, I couldn't find them on IMDb...bummer. My advice, give it 1 show, I mean the whole hour. There might be some people who are as surprised as I was.
An hour of television that never fails to entertain.
dwr24612 December 2006
Warning: Spoilers
A Haunting is an interesting combination of documentary and dramatization. It combines recorded interviews with those who experienced the haunting, with dramatizations of the actual events. The end result is a scary show that has a much more realistic feel to it.
While the episodes are somewhat formulaic in nature - family (or sometimes family member) moves into a new house and begins experiencing unexplained phenomena, which eventually turns menacing; experts are called in to help dispel the evil entity, meeting with mixed results - the storytelling is excellent. You know going in that the point of this show is to scare you, and still it manages to do so every time. All elements of the production work together toward that goal - story, acting, cinematography, effects, narration, background music - all work together to keep the viewer riveted to the screen.
The acting is particularly good in these shows. The cast is not composed of well known actors, but the actors create believable characters with mostly believable reactions to the situations they find themselves in. The narration strikes just the right note between creepy menace and factual telling.
Those looking for actual proof of ghosts may find themselves a little disappointed with this show, as it does nothing to really prove the existence of ghosts. It merely accepts the stories of those to whom the strange phenomena happened. Likewise, the skeptics may be disappointed that the show doesn't disprove ghosts, either. But for those looking for good scary entertainment, without a lot of gore, this show is a must.
So, turn the lights down low, turn on the television, and get ready for an evening of chilling entertainment...
While the episodes are somewhat formulaic in nature - family (or sometimes family member) moves into a new house and begins experiencing unexplained phenomena, which eventually turns menacing; experts are called in to help dispel the evil entity, meeting with mixed results - the storytelling is excellent. You know going in that the point of this show is to scare you, and still it manages to do so every time. All elements of the production work together toward that goal - story, acting, cinematography, effects, narration, background music - all work together to keep the viewer riveted to the screen.
The acting is particularly good in these shows. The cast is not composed of well known actors, but the actors create believable characters with mostly believable reactions to the situations they find themselves in. The narration strikes just the right note between creepy menace and factual telling.
Those looking for actual proof of ghosts may find themselves a little disappointed with this show, as it does nothing to really prove the existence of ghosts. It merely accepts the stories of those to whom the strange phenomena happened. Likewise, the skeptics may be disappointed that the show doesn't disprove ghosts, either. But for those looking for good scary entertainment, without a lot of gore, this show is a must.
So, turn the lights down low, turn on the television, and get ready for an evening of chilling entertainment...
Ghosts have a modus operandi
ndirishchamps7 February 2018
"Hidden Terror" Awesome Episode. Best So Far.
cecelli_capriotti25 October 2006
I read the comments. Yes, Last week's episode was my favorite to date. It really had me scared and on the edge of my seat. Im originally from Boston, my parents use to take me to Corning NY every fall. The town is small, very old and at night a little creepy. I enjoyed watching the lead actor (Johnny Alonso) portray "Mike". It was like watching a made for TV movie. Hes a cross between Depp, Schneider and Buscemi. The only down beat was when the ghost busters showed up. With the exception of the video guy, the 2 ladies especially the "sensitive" who looked like the woman from "poltergeist" were a bit contrived. That's why I can't give it 10 stars, but 9. Mike's girlfriend and his buddy were strong supportings, but what made the show was Johnny Alonso. Even though the "real" Mike came up in shadow and at times made it confusing, you always found your way back to the story through him. Strong look, strong actor, strong episode. Way to go "A Haunting"
If even a minuscule part of this is true
shieldfire18 June 2015
This is a series about alleged demonic hauntings at various locations around the USA. They are all more or less violent and frightening. If even a minuscule part of this is true then, there is much more to "life" than we commonly assume. Much more that is documented in ancient life that today we assume is superstition is actually "real".
Due to the concept of this series this is a big IF. These are all uncorroborated stories of supposed hauntings, from those directly involved and possibly "paranormal investigators". There is no place for sceptics in these stories, no scientific investigation or any third party corroboration whatsoever.
Some reviewers here has remarked that the content is strongly Christian. The "solutions" is always prayer and Christianity. Which in itself isn't too strange in a Christian setting/society as the USA. Having this going on for episode after episode is however, straining. They also portrait other beliefs as suspicious so this can easily be seen as Christian propaganda.
As a amusing horror story series it has some merit. That it might give you some thoughts on the paranormal is a pro.
Due to the concept of this series this is a big IF. These are all uncorroborated stories of supposed hauntings, from those directly involved and possibly "paranormal investigators". There is no place for sceptics in these stories, no scientific investigation or any third party corroboration whatsoever.
Some reviewers here has remarked that the content is strongly Christian. The "solutions" is always prayer and Christianity. Which in itself isn't too strange in a Christian setting/society as the USA. Having this going on for episode after episode is however, straining. They also portrait other beliefs as suspicious so this can easily be seen as Christian propaganda.
As a amusing horror story series it has some merit. That it might give you some thoughts on the paranormal is a pro.
One of the first paranormal shows, one of the best -- it set the bar very high
seb_ca28 October 2013
A Haunting is fantastic... and fantastically scary. I do not remember when I started watching, but I kept watching until the show was taken off the air in my area in 2009.
The episodes are scarier than the best horror movies. And I do not think I ever saw a bad episode. Also, there was a very obvious concerted effort to cover all the different types of paranormal experiences -- ghosts, demonic possessions, after effects of occult practices, etc.
Production values were great, which certainly helped to make each episode chilling and haunting. Editing was brilliant, and one never felt either cheated or manipulated by the way the story and the eye-witness accounts were put together.
Certainly, hands down, the best thing about the show was the narration.
A Haunting, and a few other shows, spawned a tsunami of paranormal activity programs, but A Haunting is, if not THE best, then one of the best. It set the bar very high, and few shows produced since its first few seasons actually measure up.
The episodes are scarier than the best horror movies. And I do not think I ever saw a bad episode. Also, there was a very obvious concerted effort to cover all the different types of paranormal experiences -- ghosts, demonic possessions, after effects of occult practices, etc.
Production values were great, which certainly helped to make each episode chilling and haunting. Editing was brilliant, and one never felt either cheated or manipulated by the way the story and the eye-witness accounts were put together.
Certainly, hands down, the best thing about the show was the narration.
A Haunting, and a few other shows, spawned a tsunami of paranormal activity programs, but A Haunting is, if not THE best, then one of the best. It set the bar very high, and few shows produced since its first few seasons actually measure up.
TRUE haunting in your nightmares
Disfigurator18 September 2008
I am huge fan of Horror films and Horror gaming and roots for such addiction lies deep into my psyche.
I was watching this show when it was aired in Discovery and this show immediately caught my attention for good amount of episodes. I have seen pretty much Horror movies and played most Horror-soaked games like Silent Hill, Fatal Frame, Forbidden Siren.
To think - I must redefine my statement, that Horror gaming is the scariest form of entertainment and that no movie can deliver equal scariness. But this show CAN. It features some nice narration, tales from witnesses and Para physics. But the thing that made me stand up all night is that these are REAL ghost stories, depicted in realistic way in the taste of Discovery. Such a combination (true ghost story + nice narrative + good cinematography) is the nuclear weapon of Horror.
This show indeed made me stand up all night or delivered some troubles to get sleep, because these stories manifested into myself and my fantasy and this combo just scared me sh**less – and wouldn't’t let me go to sleep properly, really. Experience, which is quite rare for me - equally I was scared in my childhood due to the acts of Hellraiser, later - due to some ghost-Horror movies, recently - due to Silent Hill and Fatal Frame game-play. This show lines in between Ghost Horror movies and game-play periods. I think, that A Haunting was the last drop in the glass, titled "Please fill this glass and make the owner a HUGE horror-addict".
I was watching this show when it was aired in Discovery and this show immediately caught my attention for good amount of episodes. I have seen pretty much Horror movies and played most Horror-soaked games like Silent Hill, Fatal Frame, Forbidden Siren.
To think - I must redefine my statement, that Horror gaming is the scariest form of entertainment and that no movie can deliver equal scariness. But this show CAN. It features some nice narration, tales from witnesses and Para physics. But the thing that made me stand up all night is that these are REAL ghost stories, depicted in realistic way in the taste of Discovery. Such a combination (true ghost story + nice narrative + good cinematography) is the nuclear weapon of Horror.
This show indeed made me stand up all night or delivered some troubles to get sleep, because these stories manifested into myself and my fantasy and this combo just scared me sh**less – and wouldn't’t let me go to sleep properly, really. Experience, which is quite rare for me - equally I was scared in my childhood due to the acts of Hellraiser, later - due to some ghost-Horror movies, recently - due to Silent Hill and Fatal Frame game-play. This show lines in between Ghost Horror movies and game-play periods. I think, that A Haunting was the last drop in the glass, titled "Please fill this glass and make the owner a HUGE horror-addict".
superstitious
nmurphy7720 October 2008
Every time I watch this program it irritates me. I cannot see how a person with any sense can handle this. In most of the episodes I have seen either people get involved in Wicca, Druidism, or something else equally harmless and horrible things happen to them or they clearly have a psychological condition which makes them susceptible to hearing voices or the like. Then, as predictably as a parable in Bible Study, they go back to the fold of the church or something and then, magically, everything is OK again. Is this show some form of propaganda or is it just celebrating the most extreme superstitiousness I've ever seen?
Fantastic
batnicboy14 March 2006
I am riveted by this series. I never was a great fan of the "mummy" or the "mummy returns..." type of silly scary movies or shows since they're fictitious. I thought I'd never see anything better than haunted hotels of Neworleans. The story line and special effects in this series has captivated me and admittedly because it is based on a real story although it certainly is enhanced to make it even more appealing. Kudos to the Discovery Channel for endeavoring to venture beyond with such realism and occasionally including shots of the real folks that actually lived these experiences. It is a fantastic mix/blend which enhances the appeal of the series. The word is hopefully getting around about this series and I'm doing my part to spread it. All I can say is MORE MORE MORE please Discovery!
Brilliantly creepy
stephenmorgan-9086131 January 2022
Been watching A haunting since it first aired. Every season has been great but i Wish they would bring back the creepy music they had before and after each break like they had in the earlier seasons. Adds a bit more of an eeery feeling to each episode. Anthony call does a great job of narrating the series.
Hope it continues for a long time. Easily the best hauting programme going.
Hope it continues for a long time. Easily the best hauting programme going.
Great drama
jperkins-4273014 July 2019
While I love this show I do not believe these events really do occur. The "ghosts" that appear always have clothes on that are described from another era. Do ghosts wear clothes? While I DO believe in demonic spirits I DO NOT believe in ghosts, where people have died and come back to haunt people.
BUT, the series is good and the narrator is EXCELLENT with his deep, spooky voice and the actors are very convincing. BUT, I still don't believe the events. If these actually happened, there would be newsworthy accounts all over America of real cases. These are dramatized for the show to make money!
But, don't stop airing because I love to watch them!
BUT, the series is good and the narrator is EXCELLENT with his deep, spooky voice and the actors are very convincing. BUT, I still don't believe the events. If these actually happened, there would be newsworthy accounts all over America of real cases. These are dramatized for the show to make money!
But, don't stop airing because I love to watch them!
Eerie & Atmospheric Documentary Series
AaronCapenBanner1 December 2014
Surprisingly superb TV series first aired on the Discovery Channel and consistently offered atmospheric and eerie recreations of reputedly true cases of hauntings, which come in the form of both ghosts and demons. Every unsuspecting family or couple who move into a new house encounter increasingly sinister and hostile paranormal forces that compel them to seek the help of the Church and/or paranormal investigators, with varying degrees of success. Stylish direction & music creates a palpable feeling of menace and dread as events escalate in chilling fashion. Though always featuring re-enactments with on-camera interviews with the real life people, this approach still works, and results are better than you would expect from a "reality" series, of which this is the best contemporary version of by far, emulating earlier classic series like "In Search Of..." & "Unsolved Mysteries".
I Really Enjoy This Show
pavanneh19 September 2007
I have to agree that sometimes the show gets a little hokey and you have to wonder why the "victims" call some of the people that they do to help. But, overall the show is great. There has been more than one episode that made my skin crawl and look over my shoulder. My family has experienced paranormal events and all I can say is there is more in this world than we normally see, touch and hear. I think that eventually we will have the technology needed to "see" these entities and to definitively find the other side. I also believe that there are people that are more sensitive to this type of activity at various times of their lives. Some people for all of their lives. This show does an excellent job of portraying this. Overall, a good show.
Absolutely in Love with A Haunting!
mdawesome8 July 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I first watched A Haunting when I was 10. It was the first season and I watched it with my Dad. After 2 years of amazing episodes it got canceled :(. I was hoping and hoping for longest time they would bring it back, and right when I lost hope, they brought it back. I have some things I need to point out, the fact that it doesn't air in Canada anymore is a real bummer. I have to either find a place to watch it online or buy the DVD's. I watched online and have bought DVD's (just ordered em today. Despite the horrible acting and cheesy effects in BLOOD VISIONS, i liked that season. Yes, they could have done better, but I am least grateful they brought it back, it's better than nothing you know! I particularly enjoyed The Exorcism of Cindy Sauer, Dark Dreams, and Angels and Demons. Those were by far the best episodes of the 5th season. Each episode has it's share of cheesy effects and some bad acting, but again, none of them come close to BLOOD VISIONS and let's be grateful they brought it back. I can't wait for the confirmed 6th season this fall!
Great entertainment, but that's all we can expect.
nitestar951 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
There are very, very few scientifically investigated hauntings, and none are seen here. So as long as you understand that all you're going to get are terrific ghost stories, this is a terrific 'show'. It's not a documentary. It's not a show of any evidence to prove that ghosts exist.
But it's a collection of wonderful, spooky, ghost stories, which I think most will enjoy. I'm a ghost skeptic, but I enjoyed the shows, especially when watched late at night, during thunderstorms, on Halloween.
Good show with problems
africe21 January 2021
STILL AWESOME
mls11139218 June 2019
My All Time Favorite TV Series!
daleja-dale5 January 2016
I saw "A Haunting" for the first time back in 2003! It was the "A Haunting in Georgia" polite episode! That episode got me back into paranormal shows! I always been a horror film fan in general! I recently purchased the pilots and seasons 1 thought 4 on DVD! I haven't seen many of the shows made after season 4, but the first 4 season seem to be the best to start with! This series is perhaps my favorite of all time! I like the narration, the music, the acting, the high production quality and of course the shows ghostly and demonic villains! These villains are generally more terrifying than the monsters from Hollywood studios (passed and present)! They are also much more real! Even the Bible says they exist! This series has all the bells and whistles of a horror film! You hear fake thunder, screams, phantom foot steps, creeping doors, evil laughing, etc.! One of the things I like most about many these shows are the Christian (especially Catholic) themes they have and how they show the power of God as the solution to many of those hauntings and possessions! It portraits Christianity in a good light, something that most of today's shows don't do! And, other things I love about this series is that there's NO pornography, you hear no gutter language, and there's little grotesques violence! This is a good old-fashioned type of horror film series, proof that you don't need a lot of blood and gore to make a good horror film! If this show weren't so scary, it would be a family friendly show!
Makes me want to write an angry letter...
pjyielder29 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I can remember being a child, watching the Discovery Channel and being endlessly entertained by mere science. The Shatner-narrated nature documentaries never failed to fascinate me and make me want to learn more about the intricate world known as nature. Even the "Dinosaurs" CGI special was interesting because it was based on fossil findings, geological change over time, etc. After seeing this show, I am convinced that some superstitious, possibly fundamentalist nut is at the station's helm. If you watch this crap and actually believe it, you are a moron and there is no hope for you. Every scene is meticulously (over)acted by a group of nobodies, and the special effects are both terribly done and highly exaggerated. If these spooky things really happened (child making toys levitate, high-speed wind coming out of a closet, etc.), HOW ABOUT CATCHING THEM ON TAPE AND SHOWING THE FOOTAGE? I can't believe Discovery has really gone this far in an attempt to replace science and factual observation with hokey superstition and laughable ghost stories. In one episode, a young boy has communication with a spirit named "Man" (ha!) which leads him to try to kill the family cat, make his toys levitate, and generally scare the crap out of his entire family. They let this behavior persist for A YEAR before deciding to call their shaman friend to "cleanse the house". Did the thought of taking him to a doctor never cross their mind? I guess rational, logical behavior takes a backseat to hysterical superstition in our oh-so-advanced society. This show is pure insanity, but I guess it's fitting for a station whose regular lineup consists of Monster Garage, Cash Cab, and American Chopper. At least they're getting their precious ratings while making the populous dumber and dumber (and making me crack up with laughter!)
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