Not since the glory days of the original run of Unsolved Mysteries have we had it so good! After being forced to suffer frat boy ghost hunters and dumbed down ADD-addled supernatural expeditions that go nowhere while frustrating the viewer, along comes a program that shows just how effective a return to the tried-and-true formula of "let the eyewitness tell the story" along with solidly cast and executed reenactments can be. Having totally missed out on this show until a few days ago (happened upon it on Netflix instant) both the wife and I were stunned to find that this show totally delivers. Emotionally engaging and often times frightening, it's been one winning episode after another. Granted, we have yet to peruse the second season and hopes are high that they don't alter the formula with the same inane sensationalist flash that makes most other paranormal shows nigh unwatchable. Will continue to follow this series with great interest!
35 Reviews
fantastic show
timmy_0915 September 2012
Out of all the paranormal shows out there this is by far the best. Credible eye witnessed accounts of paranormal events. The best thing about this show is the way they put it together and the way they film the re- enactments. They are like mini movies and It's scary as hell and you will not be disappointed. The re-enactments in this show let's your imagination run wild unlike shows like ghost hunters where they are trying to find something using a shaky camera and watching a TV screen,trying to pick out shadows and faces. You only have to listen and see the terror and discomfort in the witnesses eyes as they tell their story to know this show is credible. Keep the stories coming guys and please don't change the format it is fantastic!
Far Better Than Expected
jmbwithcats17 November 2011
Paranormal Witness is a documentary style, high-production testimonial show of people who have witnessed some pretty crazy. I wasn't expecting much, but the first episode was pretty awesome. If you like spooky stories, like I do, this is right up your alley... it's really well done, and the stories are narrated by alleged first hand witnesses who tell their stories. They all come off as likable, realistic and not annoying, whew. That was a definite concern for me going in.
Each episode covers 2-3 stories, and this would work really well as a Halloween marathon show with friends.
Definitely check this one out.
Each episode covers 2-3 stories, and this would work really well as a Halloween marathon show with friends.
Definitely check this one out.
Enjoyable addition to 'haunted' shows genre!
thesavants0811 September 2011
It's very much like the Discovery show A Haunting. I felt a little mislead from the commercials. It seemed as if I was going to be watching actual footage that people video taped. However, it's just re-enactments as far as the first episode goes. The first story in the episode was decent. The second story was much better even though it was shorter. I enjoyed the way the people who it happened to told the story. Unlike Discovery's version of this genre the people show emotion. They pause and you can tell they are genuinely scared just by retelling the story. It kind of gives you a feeling of those late nights you spend with friends when people start talking about weird things that have happened to them. So I enjoyed the personal feeling of the show. Overall, the show is not new in it's idea. For the genre though it is pretty good. Hopefully, they do bring in some type of real footage!
Finally a show REALLY scares me.
drake3423 August 2012
Finally a show scares me. Nothing better than intently listening to a good ghost story. I loved that since I was a little kid. After searching and searching through lame EVP sessions and TOTALLY staged reality show nonsense...I found this gem Paranormal Witness. I mean...hair standing up on the back of your neck type stuff. I LOVE watching personal accounts of the unexplained...but the special effects and recreations are some new and innovative and scary images well worth checking out. 3 of the 10 episodes I have watched were kind of lame. But seriously...7 of 10 episodes got me SPOOKED which NEVER happens to me. You will see what I mean on June 5th, 2013 as the new season begins. I seriously have not been scared watching something since I watched Halloween in the movie theater long, long ago. Thanks Sy Fy for saying YES to this project. It is so well done...the actors always look so much like the real people too and that is amazing casting...but the effects are fantastic. Kudos to the crew...way to find good stories and get as many witnesses as possible. The Travis Walton episode was better than the movie...'Fire in the Sky'. It was amazing. The movie theater in Utah also scared the hell out of me.
Enjoyable Whether You Believe These Stories Or Not
ralo2291 October 2014
Paranormal Witness is a dramatized documentary series about various people who have had paranormal experiences. I've always had an interest in the paranormal and this series peaked it even higher. The only way I can describe this show is if it was a combination of The Haunted and Zero Hour (2004). Each episode kept me on the edge of your seat with it's gritty atmosphere and unexpected scares. Even with that said, there are some episodes I have a bit of a hard time believing. For example, I thought the UFO episode and the imaginary friend episode were both a bit of a stretch. While they are still interesting, I always seem to have a hard time believing that they actually happened. But that's what makes this show so great. Even if you don't believe these stories, they're still very enjoyable. So if you have an interest in the paranormal or just horror or suspense in general, then you'll most definitely enjoy Paranormal Witness.
Wonderful Series! But, I Do Agree With Some Of The Others ...
jpagan-8666025 June 2015
This series is very entertaining! It contains some lesser known stories about the generic haunted house and such, and sometimes it contains more famous stories, like the Travis Walton story (Personally, my favorite). Though, If you're the type of person who likes details, evidence, polygraphs; this is not the series to watch. This series recreates the stories that the witnesses explain, simple as that; It's more for an entertaining purpose than a "documentary" one. So, If you want to figure out whether or not these stories are real, you'll have to figure that out yourself. Look it up online, and maybe if you're lucky, a documentary group might have covered all the details. I love my details, and sometimes when the story is extremely interesting,which happens often, I look it up and go on a voyage throughout Google to answer my questions and make my own assumptions.
I still recommend this to my fellow supernatural lover. You may learn a few things on here.
I still recommend this to my fellow supernatural lover. You may learn a few things on here.
Horrifying
dsaillant8116 September 2012
This is one of the freakiest shows on TV, but before watching it, you need to know what you're getting into. This show DOES NOT try to prove or disprove the paranormal. Nor are the stories even slightly realistic. When you realize that, you will appreciate the show much more. I really don't like the 2-story episodes of season 1. Season 2 is a lot better. Season 2 is all-around stronger, better, and scarier. There are plenty of jump scenes and loads of suspense. This is probably the best "Haunted Documentary" style show on TV. Some episodes are just pure junk, but the "Man in the Attic," "Capitol Theater Haunting," and "The Dybbuk Box" are by far the freakiest and most jumpy episodes.
Not like before
Misslvoice8 November 2015
Warning: Spoilers
What a great disappointment season 4 is. I just loved the previous seasons.....the series that always was on my top-horror-list. Don't know what happened really? now its more like the series A haunting. Had enough of that already.
Please do it again and do i right. I am not scared at all of season 4...Just the same episode after episode..I longed so much for the new season but now its just blah ha blah Ha.
Please, if you work with this series, go back and do it like before..and hopefully i will watch it again. I now a lot of my friends who feel the same.
Please do it again and do i right. I am not scared at all of season 4...Just the same episode after episode..I longed so much for the new season but now its just blah ha blah Ha.
Please, if you work with this series, go back and do it like before..and hopefully i will watch it again. I now a lot of my friends who feel the same.
Very Scary Show
boywonderpowpunch11 August 2012
I have watched a lot of paranormal shows and in my opinion this one is one of the best. It retells the stories about paranormal events people have experienced by combining re-enacted scenes with real interviews and sometimes real footage. The show is able to create such an eerie and scary atmosphere that you feel like you were there when the event took place. After seeing season 1 episode 1, I had to watch them all. Season 2 should be promising, however I am not sure how I feel about S2E1 this ghost story is familiar to me and I am not quite sure I buy the whole ghost trying to hang a man with a make shift noose in the attic story, I feel this could be a hoax but you never know, they seem very reasonable and truthful people who would not be still lying about something for 20 some years but stranger things have happened.
So believable but scary
TJMBuddlake25 July 2012
I have watched some of these stories and I can't believe what they have to say. This is downright some of the scariest accounts of the paranormal. From a roadside apparition to a possession to anything. This is some scary $h!t!!! The reenactments are OK but I felt that they were exaggerated a little at sometimes almost breaking the realism. Each episode/story just had me on edge just waiting to hear what would happen next. That is how into the show I am, which is due to the fact that I had an encounter before that just made me believe that there are spirits among us. Anyway, this is a good show and I recommend this show to anyone that believes in ghosts and maybe get a good scare out of it. Overall, this gets my approval. 7 out of 10.
The only paranormal TV show that creeps me out!
miss_mette24 January 2018
Paranormal Witness has been a pleasure to watch. The stories from the witnesses are truly intriguing, nerve wracking, well-told and beautifully put together. The visuals are scary (they even make me jump sometimes). It's the only paranormal show that has managed to creep me out and have me glued to the screen. I can't begin to tell you how much I am hoping for a new season in 2018.
Sallie House episode an outrage
tarachalloner16 November 2013
I've loved Paranormal Witness since it became a regular program on Space, however, the "Sallie House" episode left much to be desired. Many facts, long known public, were completely changed. There was no mention of late psychic Peter James' involvement with the Sightings investigation. No mention of it being featured on Discovery's "A Haunting", or that it can be visited as part of a tour. The so-called "Harpy" has never been mentioned before, & that an actually Sallie died there was proved previously. If the researchers for the show didn't know this, they are idiots. If they and the show's producers did, they are disgrace to the true paranormal research. It brings their other episodes into dispute.
Awful
norman23-362-52270526 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't know whether my review would contain what is considered "spoilers", so I said it does just in case some people think that revealing that there is nothing there is a spoiler. In a nutshell, there is nothing there - no recordings, no independent investigations, nothing but talking heads and special effects that purport to show what the witless "witnesses" claim they experienced. I thought Sasquatch Hunters was the worst show on television, but this is a contender. People talk (and talk and talk) about their so-called paranormal experiences and we're supposed to just take them at their word? I have an idea - test their claims, give them a polygraph, anything to verify that at least they believe these unlikely stories. I certainly don't.
Pretty Good!
omghimary22 September 2011
I love shows about paranormal activity- I am not sure I believe it, but they are really fascinating and are fun to watch. When I heard this show was being made, I got really excited because it seemed like it showed real footage and photos from ghost encounters. I was a little disappointed because the first and second episodes didn't have any, although they were still quite scary! This last third episode though- was terrifying! I had pillows on my face while I was watching on the couch, the real pictures and video are what made it so horrifying. I look forward to the future episodes, and hope they get progressively more frightening! I recommend this show to anyone wanting a good scare :)
Really creepy!
peneloperandez-1563110 October 2019
The Best Show for Paranormal Lovers
jadedragon50029 September 2018
Unlike other shows of the kind, this show relies on witness testimony and the actual evidence instead of dramatized re-enactments to make the event seem more frightening. It isn't an investigative show like Ghost Hunters or Ghost Adventures where they jump at every little noise and end up with very little to show for it. This is more of a documentary style with eye witness accounts. Also, happy to see no biased prejudices on what caused the problem or what will get rid of it. Excellent show.
The Exorcist
johannakemp18 July 2020
I came across this show on a lazy day and started to realise this wasn't just your typical ghost hunting type show where barely anything happens. The episodes are well done, great effects and acting so I started watching more n more. THEN came the Exorcist episode. Oh.My.God...... I couldn't sleep for a week!! That was by far the scariest thing I've ever watched. Scarier than any good horror movie. Absolutely terrifying.
Demon House is another one that really spooked me.
This is definitely one of those shows that has the ability to genuinely creep you out. Wish they'd do more seasons. It's that good I've even paid for all of the seasons so my brother who's a paranormal enthusiast could watch it and even he, who's watched a lotta Paranormal stuff confirmed this was a well produced and scary show. Some eps can be a bit dragged out but then you come across one that'll shake you to the core and keep you up at night with the lights on and for me that was the Exorcist episode. Still can't bring myself to watch it again, it'll take a lot of psyching myself up to give it another watch. Same with Demon House. Eeek!!
Demon House is another one that really spooked me.
This is definitely one of those shows that has the ability to genuinely creep you out. Wish they'd do more seasons. It's that good I've even paid for all of the seasons so my brother who's a paranormal enthusiast could watch it and even he, who's watched a lotta Paranormal stuff confirmed this was a well produced and scary show. Some eps can be a bit dragged out but then you come across one that'll shake you to the core and keep you up at night with the lights on and for me that was the Exorcist episode. Still can't bring myself to watch it again, it'll take a lot of psyching myself up to give it another watch. Same with Demon House. Eeek!!
I can't get enough!!!
jwassdesign30 July 2017
The interviews are fantastic, the re enactments seem to be spot on, the stories are scary! This show has me rethinking ghosts and spirits and how I'm like kinda afraid now! I always wonder how much embellishment is really happening but I can't seem to justify my suspicion. When I research the stories I find over and over again the same accounts. If you like to feel spooked give this series a go around.
Used to Be Really Scary...
znw101713 October 2012
In 2011 when I first started watching Paranormal Witness, I thought it was one of the scariest shows I've ever seen. I would have to keep the lights on while watching the show, and I would still get nightmares. Now, in 2012, the show just isn't as scary anymore and I cannot put my finger on the reason why.
I am a sucker for horror movies, scary TV shows, and anything at all that makes me jump out of my seat but this year Paranormal Witness is not doing it. If I would have reviewed this a year ago I would totally give 10 stars, but this year something is lacking. It's just not as scary and I'm finding myself bored with some of the episodes.
I still faithfully watch hoping to get my thrill, but so far it has not happened. At least not this year. Maybe I'm more brave than I used to be.
I am a sucker for horror movies, scary TV shows, and anything at all that makes me jump out of my seat but this year Paranormal Witness is not doing it. If I would have reviewed this a year ago I would totally give 10 stars, but this year something is lacking. It's just not as scary and I'm finding myself bored with some of the episodes.
I still faithfully watch hoping to get my thrill, but so far it has not happened. At least not this year. Maybe I'm more brave than I used to be.
Couldn't turn away
cscott233118 December 2020
Recovering from knee surgery. Started this and couldn't stop!! First thing in the morning and last thing at night. Even though I live alone, would be trapped with a bad knee, if this show is the opening demons are looking for. I could NOT stop. I've always loved shows/movies like this. But this one...this one is great! The witnesses reliving their trauma and experiences. You feel so bad for them. Amazing too the similarities. Always with the 3 scratches. The history they uncover along with the true crimes. You believe them because they're speaking their truth. If you enjoy REAL paranormal this is for you...If you scare easily, it is not!
Good but drawn out
sarkara15 February 2022
Each episode is usually around 45 min long, where 15 min could have been cut without any impact, and to keep it taut. They have real people making commentaries while actors do their thing, and it gets boring when the same thing is said 4/5 times interspersed with the actors running around being haunted. Still better than those ghost hunting "reality" shows, and to be fair, the cast are not bad.
But those 15 min.
But those 15 min.
Don't pay attention to the poor star ratings.
im_so_into_you_o_baby8 October 2011
Warning: Spoilers
This show is SCARY. I crave good scary movies and television shows and this show is pretty scary. The third episode featuring the poltergeist actually really scared me and I couldn't sleep! It even showed actual photos and video footage of what occurred. The show reminds me of the discovery channel program "A Haunting" which i've always really liked. It is a better show than half of those other documentary ghost stories you usually see on the history channel. I like how the show doesn't just focus on ghosts either, it focuses on demons, poltergeists, kind spirits, premonitions, UFOs, and other creatures that can't really be explained. Definitely worth a try!
Pushing Catholicism
kinserkk9 October 2015
Really enjoyed the first few seasons of PW. But now it is really difficult to believe in the shows authenticity. I do not believe that the catholic church has any special power. People are just people (sorry, no spiritual, earthly hierarchy). Every episode now ends with a priest from the Catholic church "fixing" the problem. Come on, seriously? Do you really expect us viewers to believe that every family that contacted your show was a member of the catholic faith? Really, really jumped shark for this season. I like to be entertained- but part of that entertainment is something being believable. Totally not the case with PW now. Just deleted it from my series to record.
A very interesting and scary show
nayyar-aditya13 October 2011
This show too is on the lines of so many others in this genre. Yet it manages to engage the audience for the entire duration. It also manages to give some really scary moments. The acting and narration is very good. Although some more real footage, as shown in the third episode would certainly help in increasing both the credibility and scare factor.The show is credible as it does not attempt to over dramatize the happenings.I look forward to each episode. I hope this goes on for a long time.Though I've read somewhere that the episode 6 might be the season 1 finale. That would be really sad... All in all, a big recommendation to all those para freaks out there.
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