Andrew Grevas
I recently had the opportunity to see a screening for The Unbinding in Cincinnati, Ohio. The film officially releases on September 8th and will be available on Amazon Prime, YouTube and other streaming platforms. This review/ analysis will be spoiler free but if you’re just looking for a headline, here it is: See The Unbinding whether or not you like paranormal content. See The Unbinding whether or not you liked Hellier. Just see the film. It’s a documentary with soul, genuine scares and passionate people who speak from a place of truth above all else. This film is a winner on many levels, which we’ll get into now.
Moving Forward
Going into The Unbinding, there will be obvious questions about whether or not this film lives up to the standards set by the terrific Hellier series, which also centered around Greg and Dana Newkirk and their friends. (Hellier can be found on Amazon Prime currently). Without giving away too much, it’s fair to say that this film depicts their evolution as both investigators and filmmakers, all while maintaining the same spirit of the previous project.
The Unbinding is part horror film, part investigation and part attempt to show what paranormal media can be. Director Karl Pfeiffer deserves a lot of credit here for capturing a “big budget monster movie” feel at times without ever sacrificing the integrity of the film. It’s a balancing act between creating suspense and not venturing into feeling like a fictional film and Pfeiffer walks that line brilliantly. Bonus points for the creepiest shot of a ceiling fan since David Lynch made them terrifying in the early 90’s.
Paranormal media has become a booming market in recent years. There are countless shows, podcasts and YouTube channels now and as a result of this boom, there are certain trends within the genre that aren’t for the best. The Unbinding doesn’t criticize anyone or attempt to cast a bright light on any issues within paranormal media, but rather shows that quality content can be produced without falling into these tropes. That solid research along with helpful intentions and motives are paramount. That telling stories from a place of truth and giving a voice to the voiceless, will always have a greater impact than overdramatizing for effect.
A Love Story
Long time paranormal enthusiasts will point to Ed and Lorraine Warren as not only pioneers in the field but also as a genuine love story that in later years has been memorialized in The Conjuring films. While Greg and Dana Newkirk are in many ways the polar opposites of the Warrens, The Unbinding within its opening minutes pulls down the curtain and gives us an intimate glimpse into the very real love story of Dana and Greg Newkirk. Their story was captivating and subconsciously, I found myself more compelled by their work as a result of knowing more about them and their personal origin story. Regardless of how you feel about the Warrens, The Unbinding really shows that there’s a modern day married couple the world of paranormal should be paying attention to. The proverbial torch has been passed.
Establishing this connection to the Newkirks by learning their story sets the tone for the rest of the film in a lot of ways. Dana and Greg called themselves storytellers in the Q&A that followed the screening and to be an effective storyteller, those listening must have a connection with you. While many viewers of The Unbinding will be familiar with their work prior to seeing the film, here we get to know them as people a little better, which invests us, the audience, more in the storytellers and ultimately, the story they are telling.
The film does take the obvious beats of finding the haunted object, investigating the haunted object and then an attempt at resolution but the magic really lies in the details. The open mindedness during the investigation. The desire to understand the history behind this statue. Looking beyond the things right in front of our faces that are scary, in an effort to ultimately help facilitate healing. There were unexpected stories that needed to be told, stories that easily could’ve been hidden and replaced by a few more jump scares and catchy phrases like “demonic activity”. This film pursued truth above all else, all while telling a really creepy story. As a viewer, I found myself captivated by the idea that paranormal investigators have this unique ability to deliver messages that otherwise would be untold. Sure, the spooky parts are a lot of fun but the real power is in sifting through the research and scares and relaying messages that most people don’t have the ability to hear or find on their own.
More Thoughts
One thing I really enjoyed about The Unbinding was Dana Newkirk taking a more prominent position than she did in Hellier. As much as I enjoyed the two season documentary, it was almost a gag how Dana was the one who frequently had the answers first but was often boxed out by her more vocal male counterparts. That is not the case at all here and Dana truly shines in this film. Her Estes method scene stands out as a highlight, as well as her role in the uber suspenseful climax of the film.
Tyler Strand, who joined the Hellier team mid investigation, arrives again at the halfway point here and makes a wonderful addition to Greg and Dana. Strand is charming and full of wide eyed wonder, all while sharing the compassionate and truth based traits that makes the Newkirks special. His enthusiasm is contagious and he makes every scene he’s in feel more well rounded.
The film’s final two scenes will first have you on the edge of your seat and then leave you wanting more. The Unbinding is cinematic in ways that many paranormal shows and documentaries aren’t – at least yet. When you combine the horror movie feel with how likable and compelling Greg, Dana and Tyler are, then mix in some themes and questions designed to make you leave the film thinking, you have a powerhouse documentary that truly felt different. The Unbinding stands out in a crowded field of paranormal media and has the potential to inspire many for years to come.
