‘Paranormal Investigations’ Takes Ghost Hunting Too Far

Presented through footage recovered from the missing season premiere of a successful paranormal reality show, Raymond Wallace’s found-footage horror Paranormal Investigations follows the final night of a production that enters a notorious Southern house… and never makes it back out.

Written and directed by Wallace, the film is set inside the Hennesy House, an isolated North Carolina property associated with unsolved murders, missing occupants and decades of unexplained activity. Locals call it the ‘Hell House’, which should probably have been enough of a warning. Instead, the cast and crew of Paranormal Investigations arrive hoping to secure their most dramatic episode yet.

Equipped with infrared cameras, thermal equipment and EMF readers, the team begins the night with the familiar confidence of people accustomed to performing fear for television. That certainty starts to break when cold spots become physical attacks and shapes first spotted through monitors begin appearing inside the rooms around them.

As the equipment fails and the house cuts the crew off from the outside world, the production continues filming. The completed feature is assembled from on-set material, surveillance recordings and behind-the-scenes footage, documenting the point at which the programme’s rehearsed theatrics give way to something far less controllable.

Jamie Bernadette leads the cast, with David J. Rivera, Tatiana Robledo, Logan Stem, Nick Oprea, John Witt and Terry Schappert also appearing. Bernadette’s extensive horror credits include I Spit on Your Grave: Déjà Vu, 4/20 Massacre and The 6th Friend, while the film marks feature debuts for Robledo and Oprea.

Wallace developed the project from his experience working in news and documentary production, where he became interested in the way the presence of a camera can alter both behaviour and judgement.

‘We live in a time where we’re surrounded by violence, tragedy, and real-life drama on television, online, and in our social feeds,’ Wallace said. ‘The film asks some simple questions: How much do we really want to see? When should someone stop filming? And what responsibility do we have as the audience watching it happen?’

The director said the production used multiple camera formats, including infrared and thermal footage, while allowing the actors space to respond naturally within scenes. The intention was to make the material resemble an unfinished reality television episode rather than a conventionally photographed feature.

Wallace has worked across directing, cinematography and post-production for more than 20 years, with previous projects including Call Sign Romeo, Lost in Buffalo City, Boy! and The Signal. The production team also includes executive producer Sam Cortez, composer Neil Lee Griffin and special make-up effects artist Evie Gallagher, a graduate of Tom Savini’s special effects programme whose practical work is central to the film’s later violence.

Paranormal Investigations is preparing for release, with its trailer and further festival and distribution details set to be announced through the film’s official channels.

Paranormal Investigations trailer