Watch The Enfield Haunting

The Enfield Haunting is a British television drama series that premiered on Sky Living in 2015. The show is a dramatization of the real-life Enfield Poltergeist story that occurred in North London in the late 1970s. The series stars Timothy Spall as Maurice Grosse, a parapsychologist who is called in by Peggy Hodgson (Juliet Stevenson) to investigate strange occurrences in her home. Peggy is a single mother who lives in a council house in Enfield with her four children, Janet (Eleanor Worthington-Cox), Margaret, Billy, and Johnny.

It's not long before Grosse and his team witness bizarre events in the house - doors slamming shut, furniture moving on its own, and strange noises coming from the walls. The phenomena seems to center on the youngest of Peggy's children, Janet, who begins to exhibit signs of possession.

As the haunting intensifies, Grosse and his team must navigate their way through skeptical members of the press and the public, who are quick to dismiss the events as a hoax. However, Grosse remains convinced that the phenomena are real and that Janet is in danger.

The series is a slow burn, with each episode ratcheting up the tension and horror as the haunting becomes more violent and unpredictable. The show is atmospheric and unsettling, and the performances from the cast are excellent, particularly Worthington-Cox, who gives a haunting and powerful portrayal of Janet.

One of the most interesting aspects of the show is its exploration of the relationship between Grosse and Janet. Grosse becomes something of a father figure to Janet, and their bond is as emotional as it is paranormal. Spall and Worthington-Cox have great chemistry, and their scenes together are some of the show's most moving.

The Enfield Haunting is well-constructed, with the show's creators wisely opting for a restrained approach to the supernatural elements. The show doesn't rely heavily on jump scares or CGI, instead choosing to rely on atmosphere and tension to create a sense of unease in the viewer.

The show also delves into the real-life controversy surrounding the Enfield Poltergeist case. Some individuals accused the Hodgson family of faking the phenomena for financial gain, while others accused Maurice Grosse of being a charlatan. The show makes no definitive claims as to the authenticity of the case, instead choosing to present the events in a straightforward manner and allowing the viewer to make up their own mind.

Overall, The Enfield Haunting is an effective and unsettling supernatural drama that delivers on both scares and emotional resonance. The performances are excellent, the writing is smart, and the show's slow burn approach pays off in a big way. Fans of horror and paranormal stories will find a lot to enjoy in this well-crafted series.