Paranormal Witness

Review

Common Sense Media says

Startling viewers is main goal of "documentary" series.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this "documentary" series uses very intense editing and filmmaking techniques to recreate unexplained events. These sequences are light on explicit violence, but would prove extremely disturbing to children and any particularly sensitive teens. The show relates stories of alleged paranormal activity as told by those who experienced it, including photography and video of the incidents as available. However, there is no attempt to provide any alternate explanations or skepticism toward the events, which creates a highly skewed viewing experience.

  • Positive messages0
    Although the show relies on firsthand testimony, there is little attempt to place the supernatural occurrences in any kind of context that might suggest these events are anything but the interference of otherworldly forces.
  • Positive role models1
    While it is hard to avoid skepticism when hearing these firsthand accounts of unexplained phenomena, those impacted frequently exhibit a high degree of bravery, understanding, and tolerance for their extreme circumstances.
  • Violence3
    Little direct physical violence depicted graphically onscreen, but alleged paranormal attacks frequently involve extreme and unusual assaults. For example, one family attacked by a "demon" reports having random objects in their home thrown in their direction and an arson attempt by this "spirit." While there is not a high degree of explicit violence involved, these encounters are filmed with an intensity that creates heavy tension for the viewer, as though a more graphic depiction were presented.
  • Sex2
    Occasional sexual content related to the paranormal events depicted, but exposure is limited to typical basic cable standards, with no nudity or explicit language of any kind.
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What's the story?

Ghosts, demons, unexplained phenomena -- these are subjects often described with skepticism and treated as quasi-fiction. PARANORMAL WITNESS relies upon direct testimony and documentation, including photos and videos, to attempt to take an unfiltered look at these strange occurrences, utilizing reenactments as well to attempt to bring these stories to life.

Is it any good?

 

Paranormal Witness is a "documentary" series created with a very specific, if very sizable, audience in mind. This is a show for people who either already believe in the supernatural, or who are inclined to believe given the flimsiest degree of evidence. If you tune into this series waiting for the typical scientist or psychologist to appear with their alternate explanation for events, you'll be waiting a long time.

It's definitely gripping television, and the techniques the series uses in its reenactments to create tension and suspense have an impact. It's also hard to confront the experiences that the interview subjects actually had without wondering if there wasn't something unexplained involved. But without any attempt to examine these experiences from anything but the most accepting and believing viewpoint, Paranormal Witness becomes just another way to tell spooky stories around the glowing LED of your television set, instead of a glowing bonfire in the woods.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the techniques the show utilizes to create its reenactments. Did the editing and filming make an impact on you?

  • Do you think the show makes a convincing argument for the existence of ghosts? Why or why not?

This review was written by Matt Springer
Parent
October 24, 2011
AGE
14
 
*:)Liz
Such a family fun and exciting show. A bonding experience for anyone. A thriller for people who like a little scare. Love the show!!
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This review was written by Matt Springer
TV rating:NR
Network:Syfy
Genre:Reality TV
This review was written by Matt Springer
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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