The Enfield Haunting

The Enfield Haunting is a three-part British miniseries, commissioned by Sky Living and directed by Kristoffer Nyholm, (who rose to fame after the hugely popular Danish series, The Killing), that dramatizes one of the most infamous paranormal cases in modern history: The Enfield Poltergeist. Set in the late 1970s, the series is based on the book This House is Haunted by Guy Lyon Playfair, a real-life paranormal investigator who was deeply involved in the events. Featuring stellar performances, especially from Timothy Spall, it provides a moody, chilling exploration of belief, grief, and the supernatural.

The series follows the Hodgson family, who live in a modest home in Enfield, North London, and begin experiencing strange and terrifying events. Janet Hodgson (played by Eleanor Worthington-Cox - Britannia) becomes the focal point of poltergeist activity—ranging from unsettling noises to levitation and possession-like episodes. The bulk of the plot focuses on the arrival of Maurice Grosse (Timothy Spall - Auf Wiedersehen, Pet), a paranormal investigator grieving the loss of his daughter, and Guy Lyon Playfair (Matthew Macfadyen – Ripper Street), a sceptic and author who approaches the situation with more caution. Together, they attempt to make sense of the strange occurrences that seem to plague the Hodgson household.

Spall’s portrayal of Maurice Grosse is undoubtedly the highlight of the series. Spall imbues his character with a deep sense of loss and vulnerability, which adds layers of complexity to Grosse's determination to prove the existence of the supernatural. His belief in the paranormal is not just professional curiosity but deeply personal, as he is seeking answers about life after death following the tragic loss of his daughter. This personal tragedy humanises his character and makes his obsession with the case all the more compelling. His performance anchors the show in a raw emotional reality, even amid the otherworldly happenings.

Macfadyen’s Guy Lyon Playfair provides an effective counterbalance to Spall’s Grosse. His character is sceptical and analytical, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and a scientific approach. This tension between belief and scepticism is a core theme of the show, and Macfadyen and Spall play off each other well. The dynamic between the two men creates an engaging narrative drive, as they each wrestle with their perspectives on the events they are witnessing.

Eleanor Worthington-Cox as Janet, the young girl allegedly possessed by the poltergeist, delivers a mature performance for her age. The role is challenging—requiring her to navigate between moments of innocence and terror—and she does so convincingly. Her character, caught in the grip of forces beyond her control, evokes sympathy, and the script deftly avoids turning her into a cliché of a “possessed child.” The supporting cast, including Rosie Cavaliero (Funny Woman) as Janet’s mother, also give solid performances, grounding the story in a sense of everyday realism amidst the chaos.

The miniseries excels in creating a claustrophobic, eerie atmosphere that lingers throughout all three episodes. The cinematography is effectively gloomy, with a muted colour palette that evokes the gritty 1970s setting. The Hodgson family home feels oppressive and worn, and this sense of decay mirrors the emotional strain the family undergoes as the haunting intensifies.

Nyholm’s direction keeps the tension taut without resorting to overtly flashy or exaggerated scares. The horror is more psychological and atmospheric than graphic, relying on small, unsettling moments—a moving chair, a creaking floorboard, or a shadowy figure. This subtle approach makes the moments of true terror stand out, and it helps maintain a suspenseful, slow-burn pacing.

At its heart, The Enfield Haunting is not just about ghosts and paranormal phenomena, but also about grief, loss, and the human need to believe in something beyond the physical world. For Maurice Grosse, belief in the poltergeist is a way to keep hope alive that there is an afterlife, and that his daughter’s spirit may still exist somewhere. The series explores how personal trauma can make people more susceptible to belief in the supernatural, and how the need for closure can drive us to seek answers in the unknown. Spall’s powerful performance elevates the material, making this miniseries not just a chilling exploration of paranormal events but a deeply moving character study.

The Enfield Haunting is a gripping and atmospheric miniseries that offers more than just a traditional ghost story. It’s a reflection on the power of belief, the fragility of the human psyche, and the intersection of personal trauma with the supernatural. For fans of slow-burn, psychological horror or those interested in real-life ghost stories, this is a must-watch.