The Unbinding (2023) User Reviews

Was mildly entertaining, until..

[gegen-daemon · 4/10 · 18 September 2023]

They started to suggest that they were being guided/helping a Ukrainian, pagan goddess and - basically - saving her.

It was a little silly to begin with, but I don't mind that, I love the paranormal/horror/documentary format but the level of narcissism & self-importance to believe that you are the focus of a long lost, forgotten pagan goddess is just staggering. So much so, that I'm actually intrigued to see whether this is something that continues in their other projects/shows, etc.

Final shoutout to his wife, who genuinely thinks she's a witch; love it. Their conviction, at least, is impressive.

Disclaimer: I actually do believe in the paranormal and certain aspects of otherworldly things being real but I saw no evidence in this 'documentary', other than hearsay and speculation, that suggests any of what happened here is real. Just a lot of people saying what happened to them with surprisingly little to back it up. It's a real shame, because I'm one of those people that is desperate for it to be real but needs to see the proof.

As somebody who knew nothing about this movie before watching it...

[silver_earthwax · 5/10 · 20 November 2023]

Like I said in the title, I knew nothing about this film before watching it. It popped up on some random Amazon Prime list when I was in the mood for a horror movie, I googled the name and saw the RT and IMDB scores were decent, and I watched it.

Looking at the reviews here, I have learned that the cast are actual real-life paranormal investigators, with a sizable fandom and a smattering of detractors (who seem to be duking it out in the reviews).

And I am very confused. I keep trying to write a review, deleting it all, and starting over.

I 100% thought it was a mockumentary. I'm still not sure that it isn't. I mean, I think it's certainly fiction, because I think paranormal stuff isn't real (sincerely sorry, not attempting to bash people's beliefs).

But, I don't know if the cast also think it's not real. I mean, obviously they think paranormal stuff is real. But did these events happen? Or are they just a story they're telling? Or are they dramatizing something that kind of happened, and they're fancying it up with little creepy vignettes?

And is this a deceptive thing? Like, are they positing that this is a 100% true story, and we're supposed to believe it's 100% true?

Or, is it a real story that's been kind of dramatized for the film, and we're supposed to know that it is?

Or, are these ghost hunters who are telling us a creepy fictional story, and we're supposed to know that it's just a fictional story?

What level am I supposed to be watching this on?!

When I thought this was a mockumentary, I thought it was pretty good. Naturalistic dialogue, great restraint with the scary parts, really believable relationships. I even thought some of the bit characters, like the Russian Studies professor, were fantastic actors.

Of course, now that I know it's real, it's really thrown me for a loop. I think that, if I were to watch it again through that lens, I might have an entirely different take on the film. When I thought these people were actors, I thought they were doing a fantastic job. Now that I know they're actual paranormal investigators, I think it's kind of embarrassing, and more than a little self-aggrandizing.

When I was still ignorant to the nature of the film, I thought all the goddess/folklore talk at the end of the movie was kind of smarmy and boring. I'm not a big fan of Horror movies that have a moralistic, happy ending. Basically, if the evil spirit gets put to rest, and the heroes live to fight another day, and we all learned something valuable, I'm not usually a big fan.

But the rest of the film was fine, so I gave it a pass.

But now, knowing that these people aren't actors, isn't that kind of....self-aggrandizing? They really believe they helped an ancient Slavic goddess? It's one thing to have a character say all this saccharine dialogue about beliefs and stuff, it's another thing entirely to just...say it.

Certainly not a documentary

[seneschals · 1/10 · 22 September 2023]

By no stretch of the imagination is this a documentary, not journalism, not contemporaneously filmed, no suggestion that it is fact, no evidence to demonstrate or support the idea that it is fact.

It reminds me of the mockumentary style of the drowned man by Markiplier or some other similar efforts.

If it weren't for the fact that it is a blatant attempt to draw susceptible wanna believes to their other content, if it wasn't for the fact that the production value and continuity is so poor, if it wasn't for the fact that the script is so weak, it could have been a good plot for a comedy.

Unfortunately it fails on every level, I did laugh out loud at a couple of the absurd moments in the film but I probably wasn't meant to.

What on earth were you thinking? You should not be making films, you should not be writing scripts and you certainly shouldn't be acting in them.

I have experienced many paranormal events and seen many inexplicable things during my life. This film makes a complete mockery of a rather more serious subject and may actually push people away from wanting to find out the truth.

Dong do it again, it is just a cynical exercise.

You get back what you give to this film.

[quirkyname · 7/10 · 11 September 2023]

Ok, I can see from other reviews that this documentary was a labor of love for many and tells a story that is clearly very important to its community. I totally respect that.

I think that you get from it what you bring to it. It invites you to go along for a journey. It doesn't force anything on you, and you have to pay attention.

If you like intentional, slow-burn stuff, especially the original Wicker Man with Christopher Lee, this is potentially up your alley. You can sit back and try to find the cracks in the facade and play the "Wait, how much of this do they actually believe?" game and still have a really good time with this film, but keeping your cynicism at bay for an hour or two gives the best experience.

If you are tired of seeing the same old story/format over and over and over again, give this a try. It's rare to find something that is truly different and it's genuinely hard to categorize. Let this one in.

Nothing but a commercial

[Gud-er-gud · 1/10 · 1 October 2023]

If it weren't for the fact that it is a blatant attempt to draw susceptible wanna believes to their other content, if it wasn't for the fact that the production value and continuity is so poor, if it wasn't for the fact that the script is so weak, it could have been a good plot for a comedy.

Unfortunately it fails on every level, I did laugh out loud at a couple of the absurd moments in the film but I probably wasn't meant to.

What on earth were you thinking? You should not be making films, you should not be writing scripts and you certainly shouldn't be acting in them.

I have experienced many paranormal events and seen many inexplicable things during my life. This film makes a complete mockery of a rather more serious subject and may actually push people away from wanting to find out the truth.

Dong do it again, it is just a cynical exercise.

Open up your mind

[marylauracarter-60647 · 7/10 · 4 October 2023]

"Open up your mind and let everything come through." 13th Floor Elevators

Ok. Maybe not a documentary in the true sense.

But I think these folks, and many others, believe in the paranormal, spirits and spirituality. I mean, what is religion anyway?

I thought the filming was done fairly well. No shaking of the camera. If it had been a Blair Witch attempt, I would not have spent 5 minutes on it.

I also felt the cast did a good job of explaining what they were doing without hyperbolic emotions.

Obviously, not everyone will like or care about this story, but, it's interesting for sure.

Give it a try.

Doesn't make sense

[madmaywebdesign · 2/10 · 21 September 2023]

The film was done well but the story is stupid, to say the least. They swung too big with their solution or "history" of the artifact and haunting. They landed on an ancient goddess that was trapped in the artifact. An artifact that had new nails and rope around, that they concluded, through investigatory research, was purchased at Walmart lol. Even in the original post with it's pictures from 2016 the rope was new, and even newer in the film. IF the artifact was really placed in a cave during a ritual, it would not have been for that purpose. They could have gone with a different story that was believable. I mean anything else could have fit that narrative better. My guess is they troll old forums and blogs for stories that were once viral and twist them into a "documentary"... which again is totally fine, it's entertainment, but come up with better stories to back your tales. This one was just silly.

Interesting and enjoyable

[midnightantu · 7/10 · 24 October 2023]

I enjoyed it. I was hesitant after reading the negative reviews, but I'm glad I watched it. In some ways, this is a typical ghost hunting "documentary" - meaning, of course there's no evidence. Some reviewers seemed surprised there's no irrefutable proof of ghosts here. There never is - there's no scientific peer reviewed journal about to publish a paper on ghosts. You can't prove gods or ghosts are real, that's the root of people's fascination, and kind of the whole point.

What isn't typical about the Newkirks' approach is that they're not afraid to get into the weird complexities. I can't stand typical ghost hunting shows but this is much deeper. They dive into the psychological muck, take their time getting the emotional experience and tone right. They research everything and show how gooey myth and folklore are. It's cool to watch them piece together their research and experiences - no matter what I personally believe. Yea it's their cognitive bias but so is every single religious or supernatural experience. Regardless, I followed their logic. They touch on magic and the collective unconscious and tie it all together. They might have the goofy tools other ghost hunters have, but they use them in unique ways, and that's only the surface of what they do.

Even if this is all staged, it's still a good story. It's impossible to say what they actually believe, so I can't speculate on their intentions, but it was cool to learn about a goddess I didn't know about before. And I really like what Strand said about how studying the paranormal is like studying yourself. It's true. I think they manage to touch on something ancient that is a key part of the human experience we don't often get to connect with.

I didn't come out of this believing in ghosts or gods. What I got out of this was entertainment and I learned something new. And I did get a little spooked!

A bad Paranormal Activity sequel script wearing a Documentary costume

[nosbig-29036 · 2/10 · 10 September 2023]

If you buy into the coveniently loose and ambigous field of paranormal "investigation", you'll probably love this. If you gobble up Zack Baggins' Ghost Adventures, if you think an arbitrarily asigned star sign dictates your personality, if you're the type to cliam you can sense negative energies/entities/spirits, this film is for you. If you possess an iota of skepticism or rationale; if you need your research to present even a single piece of reviewable evidence to inform it's conclusions, then don't waste your time - this is a script for a rejected Paranormal Activity sequel, masquerading as a documentary.

I'm a skeptic (see: rational), so I *do* need my investigations to present some sort of evidence-based support for their conclusions, especially when those conclusions are that a wooden figure has been possessed by an ancient goddess that periodically materialises to cause minor inconveniences - the focus of this "documentary". This film has none.

Our subjects in the film are a couple who call themselves "paranormal investigators" and own + operate a museum of paranormal items, with previous screen-time in other similar productions. So we're starting strong with our hard hitting investigation, with a primary source who clearly have no potential interest or gain to come from a "documentary" exploring their own experiences with "the paranormal". I mean its not like their entire livelihood relies on people believing these paranormal stories and being aware of them and their museum... oh wait.

But ignoring that detail (as the raving 10/10 reviews from paranormal-believers have)... for the 90minutes it runs for, our subjects recount the timeline of various spooky events that unfolded after they took possession of a haunted "Crone" statue; this narration played over out-of-focus, slow-mo reenactments of the same events, starring our subjects as themselves. The harrowing events range from benign every day occurrences like a coffee spilling, or hearing the sound of running water, to the farcically outlandish such as monstorous wet footprints appearing on their couch, to a literal demon woman materialising in their bedroom and walking around. None of these accounts are presented with supporting evidence, only the dramatised reenactment where they go so far as to cast an extra to dress up as a goulish demon lady when needed. Or perhaps one of the subjects is playing dual-roles.

Actually that isn't quite true, they showed a photograph of their couch with a wet print on it, so naturally the cliams are irrefutable now. I mean they have a picture of a wet spot on the couch!

The reason that I compare this to Paranormal Acitiity is that the plot that unfolds is just as stuffed with contrivances and contradictions in service of the story, as any of the films in that series. The Crone's power level varies wildly on a whim, at times being able to physically manifest to destroy a crucifix, while at others only being able to myseriously tip over a drink in proximity to the Crone statue. The decision making of the subjects is nonsensical beyond the motivation of telling a spooky story - one such examples being when they take the Crone with them to a paranormal convention, bringing it out for show and tell, 30seconds after they say they decided tolock it up in a box on a shelf for good, for fear for its powers.

I wouldn't mind this film if it was billed as a legitimate sequel/spin off/just another paranormal horror film. But the efforts made to frame it as a legitimate documentary, combined with the wave of narcissits that prioritise their need to be "in the know" above critical thinking rating this 10/10 (because of course this film is better than Schindlers List) bugged me enough to make an account just to post this review.

Terrible

[exon-cheep · 1/10 · 9 September 2023]

Don't waste your time. They obviously show no video or empirical evidence about anything that occurred in the documentary. You're better off watching the Fourth Kind with Milla Jovovich. That movie was better in every way.

This documentary just goes on about a haunted item that someone finds online. They claim to have haunted experiences as soon as anyone comes into contact with said item. However, there is no evidence at all shown or given.

In one example, they arrive at a public event with hundreds of people. They claim that several crazy things occurred as soon as they unveiled the object. You would think that someone would have at least a photo of anything that happened. But no, there is NOTHING shown.

Not A Documentary.

[meddlecore · 2/10 · 11 September 2023]

This is quite blatantly a scripted, fiction film, that is- for some reason- listed here as a "documentary".

It's not.

And is quite clear about that fact.

That being said...the reasons for this become obvious when you learn who the filmmakers behind the project are: the husband and wife team of Greg and Dana Newkirk.

A couple who run a museum and podcast dedicated to haunted objects, and stories about haunted objects.

So...this is effectively just an elaborate marketing pitch, and call for you to send them your claimed to be haunted items for free...so they can put it in their museum, and make bank off it.

Now...I do believe in haunted objects...I have a painting called "Evil Man", which has a demonic entity attached to it.

So...I am by no means a skeptic.

However...the story presented here- about an effigy found in the Catskills mountain, with nails driven into the eyes, that is said to be haunted a "Crone" type entity- is quite absurd.

And backed by no evidence whatsoever...other than unfounded, unreliable, unreplicatable "ghost hunting" techniques that can easily be dismissed.

As previously noted...when all is said and done, it's actually quite clear that the whole thing is scripted.

They not only allude to this fact...but even poke fun at it.

So, as a documentary...it has zero value.

Though, as a mockumentary...you might argue it's cleverly done.

That is...if you ignore that it's mainly a feature length commercial for themselves, and their museum.

Acting as a desperate plea for you to send them your thought to be haunted objects.

So it doesn't deserve anything more than a 2.5 out of 10.

Which is being generous.

Multilayered and Moody

[garcia-leila-d · 9/10 · 10 September 2023]

This is not a horror film, nor can it be categorized as part of the typical paranormal reality tv genre, rather it is an investigation into a series of mysterious (and creepy) events surrounding a strange figurine, and the search for answers.

The Newkirks' approach to this investigation is a deep dive into folklore, mythology, religion and witchcraft, combined with their insatiable curiosity, respect, and humor. The atmospheric cinematography, soundtrack, and audio mix draw the viewer into the Newkirk's world.

Their investigation spans several years, and the film relies on recreations from time to time to illustrate the teams' personal experiences, but the look and feel - moody, dark and eerie - is consistent throughout.

Watching this film leaves the viewer with a desire for more opportunities to travel into the Newkirks' world in search of answers - or at least insight - into the unexplainable.

The Unbinding

[lofwyr-84328 · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

If you know them and their crew everything they do is for the right reasons. They don't make content to get followers. The Unbinding is a very heartfelt documentary. When they received The Crone and it started manifesting itself at their apartment, they tried to come to an understanding with whatever was inhabiting this figurine. It didn't cooperate with them so they kept it sequestered until they could return it to the place of origin. They then performed a ritual to release the binding that had been placed on it by persons unknown. Once the ritual was complete there was a noticeable change in the figurine and then they repatriated the figurine to the mountain it was found on and removed from by the two hikers. Most paranormal shows and documentaries are scripted that appear on the big screen or television. The Newkirks investigate phenomenon and only report what they discover in their investigations and don't add stuff to get more views or followers. They and their crew have true integrity unlike some shows.

Incredible

[msjmv · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

An truly incredible film! The story itself is beautiful. We truly live in a world full of magic- we just have to embrace our own curiosity to find it.

Greg, Dana, and Tyler are individually so inspiring, but this movie really felt like it belonged to Dana. She was in her element. It feels quite special to witness even a portion of her practice. The final ritual, however, was sublime. I have been left in a state of awe for days thinking about it. It's not often that you get to witness such an undeniable act of compassion and love, especially for something once thought to be "scary."

Of course, this beautiful story is complemented to perfectly by Karl's keen eye. Every single frame of this movie is art.

Once again, the gang has delivered a truly life-changing experience in a beautiful package.

Powerfully presented

[mmavrogen · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

If you thought you understood the paranormal you may want to be prepared to be blown away. This film can teach you a new way to look at what you you believe and why. It can also show you a new way to view a diety. Masterpiece is an understatement for this film; you will walk away looking at the world a little bit changed. Sometimes we take it for granted what our religions tell us to believe, and we don't question it; but if you're on any kind of spiritual quest, you're constantly challenging your beliefs and reaching new heights in your growth. The Unbinding, if you let it, can show you how to release yourself from the bindings and enslaved dogma you may be trapped in. Don't miss this film.

ABSOLUTELY MUST WATCH!

[kmrivera-99722 · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

The masterpiece that is The Unbinding will leave you absolutely captivated! It is a very unique look into the paranormal from a different perspective than what most people have. It opens so many doors for conversations to be had about the paranormal as a whole and maybe change a few minds from what they used to think or believe and maybe open their eyes to see that there's so much more! Greg and Dana give us just a small glimpse into the world that is the Newkirks and have graciously shared their experiences with us and given us the tools to look at everything paranormal through a new lense. I'm a proud museum member for a few years now and I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be part of something that gives those of us a space to be authentically ourselves where there's no judgement! In the words of Greg Newkirk, be a good ghost machine.

Pushing the boundaries with purpose and heart.

[adambakercollege · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

Greg, Dana, Karl, Tyler and Connor strive to create works of art that are both though provoking and meaningful. They dare to try change the paranormal paradime in a positive way. They explore the unknown with curiosity over fear.

The story this time is to shed light on the strange and difficult topic of haunted objects. Proving that things are seldom as they seem and the Crone was no different. It takes patience and time to properly understand things. Greg and Dana spend the time to look at things from a new perspective instead of condemning the Crone because of her nature. This film will make us start to rethink how we all think about hugh strangeness.

Masterpiece of storytelling

[Mark_Adouglas · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

This film is an EXPERIENCE, not merely just a movie. Greg and Dana's narration set the ethereal mood from the opening scene and drew me into their journey as if I was an old friend that is safe and protected from the forthcoming glimpse into the unexplained, the frightening, and the macabre. The intrigue of this film is unique and the story has stuck with me emotionally since my initial viewing. In fact, I have watched it three times before writing this review. (Dana will understand the significance of that). I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this film to anyone interested in experiencing things that go bump in the night from a safe distance.

Amazing! A hauntingly beautiful story and view on a phenomenon!

[qnvcv · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

If you're familiar with Hellier then you already know what kind of strange and weird awaits in this documentary. If not, we'll then get ready! It will give you new insights and perspectives on what a haunting can actually be! You'll also get to see how a proper paranormal investigation is conducted. With an open mind and with curiosity trumping over fear.

Greg, Dana, Tyler, Karl, and Conner have gone above and beyond to share an incredible experience when two hikers find a strange statue in the Catskills mountains. It will keep you guessing until the end on what the true cause of the phenomenon could be.

Reshaping the Landscape for Paranormal Research

[tlprince-23023 · 10/10 · 11 September 2023]

This documentary is a spellbinding experience that follows paranormal researchers Greg and Dana Newkirk (and later Jason Gowin, Tyler Strand and others) as they are forced to deal with a particularly active haunted object and the unexpectedly emotional journey that follows. The project is a spiritual successor to their previous project Hellier, which inspired a fresh wave of interest in the paranormal and began shifting focus away from fear and toward curiosity and wonder. And just like Hellier, this film looks incredible. By the film's conclusion, it is clear that these folks are moving in a unique and admirable direction and I look forward to seeing where they take us next. Excellent and essential.

A story most compelling

[tqvrggpqh · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

If you are curious about high strangeness, seek to better understand what we cannot explain, and prefer to avoid the fear-mongering of most paranormal shows, watch The Unbinding.

If you're like me, and seek clues to the true nature of reality, watch this movie and prepare to take notes. Knowledge can come from anywhere, and what you learn from Greg and Dana will leave you wanting more.

Greg and Dana are paranormal investigators with decades of experience. They are called on as subject matter experts for the most respected investigators and celebrities. Their many followers recognize that they offer their expertise with deep respect and genuine love for their profession and the truth.

Excellent Documentary

[jmcgray-47188 · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

The Unbinding provides a unique and realistic outlook on how a haunted object can be misunderstood. The cinematography and score are excellently paired. The creativity behind the presentation of this documentary is executed with professional excellence.

The Unbinding will take you on a ride of a chilling story backed by how some of the most realistic and influencial people in the paranormal field can take an objectified look and think outside the box.

Prepare to keep an open mind during this documentary. This is not your average hauting or investigation. You wont find something this realistically informative on network TV.

Wild Ride!

[amberresseguie · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

What an absolute wild ride adventure this film has turned out to be! Such outstanding storytelling, beautiful cinematography, and such a respectful representation of witchcraft!! I was on the edge of my seat, occasionally in tears at times, all the way through this journey! I will be telling everyone to watch and discuss this! Can't wait for all the conversations this film will start! When I finished this film I spent the entire day in a haze, contemplating, discussing, reevaluating my own thoughts + viewpoints + understandings of the world. This is another fantastic gem from Planet Weird + Sticks River! ! ✨ .

Terrifying, Profound, Mind-Opening

[barrydwriter · 10/10 · 11 September 2023]

What starts as a scary tale ends becomes something significantly more by the time the credits roll. A dramatic excursion into powers beyond full comprehension, this film showcases a mesmerizing experience by-among others-Dana and Greg Newkirk, the most sincere and reverent paranormal investigators in recent history.

The Newkirks are always so open-minded and very transparent in their work and what they explore and exhibit, and this film, which centers around a particularly uncanny situation surrounding a strange wooden statue and the phenomena and events surrounding its discovery, is a grand yet personal journey for the audience to take along with them.

There are many significant revelations throughout this strange tale, much as was featured in their limited docuseries HELLIER, but the correlations and glimpses of the larger tapestry at play are of a very different nature, ultimately settling upon the interplay of belief in, and the powers of, forces beyond full comprehension.

Make no mistake about the tone of this film, however-although it ends on a more positive and profound note, the first half of this tale is downright terrifying. There are some excellent reenactments, some with the Newkirks, some with other actors, but never over-the-top or hammy. However, far more significant are the very REAL video captures of the uncanny mysteries surrounding the statue, including a certain live-streamed event in a hotel room...

**A SIDE NOTE** If you've read this far, I have an unusual addendum to this review. While my wife and I were watching it, in its first 38 minutes, I became very suddenly nauseous and had to stop for a few minutes to recover, and just before we resumed playing it, my wife spotted a cat-like entity standing directly beside and behind me, even though our cats were closed out of the room at the time. I won't say these events are necessarily connected to the film itself, but why would I not mention them?

Disturbing and magical, eerie and grounded, skin-crawling and mind-opening, THE UNBINDING is a remarkable documentary unlike any other, and a perfect showcase for the incomparable Dana and Greg Newkirk.

You have to see this!

[tgibner · 10/10 · 10 September 2023]

This is a must see. Wow, what a ride. Believe me it was worth staying up past my bedtime. I thought Hellier was great but The Unbinding is phenomenal on many different levels. Whether you are interested in the paranormal or not I think you will find this film gives you food for thought. A little bit scary, emotional and an eye opener which just might have you changing some of your belief systems. The Newkirk's, Jason Gowin, Tyler Strand, Karl Phiffer, and Connor Randall and anyone else I may have missed are an amazing team. Watch it. Don't listen to the negative nellies. Make up your own mind. I cannot wait for more from this gang!