haUnTed – Exploring The Paranormal

Directed by Tanner Alex Reyburn and Daria Pustovoytova
Warning – this review may contain spoilers

haUnTed – Exploring The Paranormal is a documentary that takes viewers on a journey through Utah’s paranormal scene, featuring interviews with psychics, paranormal investigators, and people who’ve had supernatural experiences. I found the variety of perspectives interesting, especially since they came from such different backgrounds. Hearing stories from those who claim to have encountered the paranormal kept me engaged, but I felt like the film struggled to tie everything together. At times, it jumped from one subject to another too quickly, and I found myself wishing for more focus. The ghost hunt toward the end seemed like it would be the film’s climax, but it felt rushed and didn’t deliver the intensity I was expecting.

The interviews were engaging, with some genuinely spooky moments, but I think the documentary bit off more than it could chew. It tried to explore so many different aspects of the paranormal world, and as a result, it sometimes lost momentum. The lack of cohesion between interviews and the ghost hunt made it harder for me to stay fully immersed. I appreciated the range of experiences shared, and I think paranormal enthusiasts would enjoy the variety of stories. Skeptics, however, might find the lack of solid evidence or a clear narrative a bit frustrating.

From a technical filmmaking perspective I noticed a lot of inconsistency. The interviews were well-lit and composed, which I appreciated, but once the documentary shifted to the ghost hunting segment, things went downhill a bit. The footage became too dark, and some shots were out of focus, which made it hard to follow what was happening. Sound was another issue, with some interviews being crystal clear while others were hard to hear. The music was subtle, which I liked, but it didn’t do much to elevate the tension during the ghost hunt, which felt like a missed opportunity. The editing, especially in the ghost hunting scenes, felt a bit disjointed, and the constant use of fades sometimes took me out of the experience.

I didn’t find myself personally connected to the film, but I did enjoy some of the stories, particularly those that offered a more eerie or mysterious tone. haUnTed – Exploring The Paranormal had potential, but I think it would have benefited from a more focused narrative and a stronger conclusion. If you’re a fan of paranormal stories, you’ll probably find something to enjoy here, but if you’re looking for a truly compelling ghost hunt or solid proof of the supernatural, it might leave you wanting more.