Watch Paranormal

Paranormal is a thrilling series from Netflix that plunges the viewer into the enigmatic world of the supernatural, based on the best-selling novel series Ma Waraa Al Tabiaa by Ahmed Khaled Tawfik. Directed by Amr Salama, the series revolves around the life of Refaat Ismail (Ahmed Amin), a reclusive hematologist who gets dragged into the paranormal world. The show is set in 1969 Egypt and has a distinct vintage look that sets the mood for the eerie events that follow.

Refaat is a solitary figure who is haunted by a series of supernatural occurrences that have plagued him since his childhood. He is endlessly curious about the unknown, but he denies the existence of ghosts and paranormal activity, insisting that all strange events must have a logical explanation. Despite his skepticism, Refaat finds himself facing a series of inexplicable events that defy all his scientific reasoning. He is challenged to face his fears and step out of his comfort zone to confront the inexplicable.

As Refaat's life begins to unravel, he discovers that the supernatural world is far more complex than he ever imagined. From the urban legends that have circulated for generations to the ghosts that haunt the streets, he finds himself in a world of danger that he never expected. Refaat is aided in his quest to understand the paranormal by his tightly knit circle of friends, including the savvy journalist Maggie Mckillop (Razane Jammal) and his neighbor and childhood friend, Hani (Ayah Samaha).

With each passing episode, Refaat's skepticism is slowly chipped away as he faces increasingly terrifying phenomena. His investigation into the paranormal activity leads him to come into contact with a wide range of characters, from witches to exorcists to undead pharaohs, all the while struggling to retain his grip on reality. His adventures take him deep into the underworld of the paranormal, where he discovers that ancient curses and strange phenomena can overlap with the people in his life creating some thrilling twists and turns.

The show is beautifully shot, with each episode delineating a concise plot that keeps the viewer hooked throughout. The cinematography is top-notch, with the depiction of Egypt's 1960s era executed with careful attention to detail. The storylines reflect a blend of classic Hollywood horror, with small nods to classics like haunted houses, possession, and exorcisms, to Egyptian folklore, mythology and ancient stories of the supernatural. Rather than relying on jump scares or gratuitous gore, the show tends to tap into the viewers' imagination, leaving them on the edge of their seats.

One of the most outstanding aspects of the show is its cast, especially the lead actor Ahmad Amin. Amin's portrayal of Refaat is genuine and believable, drawing the viewer deeper into his intrigue with the paranormal world. Razane Jammal, as Maggie Mckillop, does an excellent job, bringing a level of wit and intelligence to the show. Karim Moussa, who plays the character of Reda, a cursed young man, is also excellent in his role, bringing a level of pathos to his tragic character that assists the viewer in empathizing with him.

Overall, Paranormal is an exceptional series that is frightening, funny, and emotional all at the same time. It has a unique take on the horror genre that will appeal to a broad cross-section of viewers. It is an engaging and entertaining series about the paranormal that will leave you eager for more.

Paranormal is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between November 5, 2020 and on Netflix