As a fan of Hellier and The Haunted Objects Podcast, I’ve been looking forward to a documentary about the artifact called The Crone ever since it was announce a year or so ago. I love cursed and haunted object stories, real or otherwise, and this one seemed genuinely spooky. The Unbinding came out this month, September 2023, and I watched it as soon as I was able.
A viral tale on Reddit. A haunted artifact. An ancient entity. The team behind the award-winning documentary series Hellier now brings you the story of the Catskills Crone. After a strange statue is found by two hikers, chilling phenomena begin to manifest. As the activity escalates, Greg and Dana Newkirk are forced to uncover the truth, preserve the artifact, and unbind the entity inside.
The energy and production of The Unbinding is very similar in style and vibe to Hellier (which, if you haven’t watched, I highly recommend). If you believe in hauntings, curses, witchcraft, and the paranormal (like me) I do think you will get more out of it. However, I do believe that skeptics with an open mind and a willingness to enjoy paranormal media will also get a kick out of this documentary.
Something I really enjoy about Karl Pfieffer’s style of filming is his b-roll footage is always on point and his interviews never feel rushed or awkward. I enjoy the dark cinematography that he also does even when its during outdoors or well lit areas, there’s this almost chiaroscuro that happens and it makes my dark heart happy.
As a practicing witch in Appalachia and as a devotee to a northern and eastern European crone-like deity or two, seeing this documentary unfold from a poppet found in a cave and taken home by idiots (its a far statement – do not bring home items like this) and makes it journey into discussions of immigrants, Christian prejudices and oppression of Paganism, and the synchronicities around rituals done in the documentary and in the past – I couldn’t be happier with the story told in this movie.
My only complaints are
1. it was so short. After being spoiled by 2 seasons of Hellier, I sat down to The Unbinding ready for more. While the film was tied up nicely without loose ends, I just would have loves a longer ride. Not necessarily a bad thing, though. Rather a compliment to the film’s creators.
2. Being fans of Greg and Dana Newkirk, I am aware that they have several objects in their museum that they use during paranormal investigations. I was left wondering after watching their conversations with The Crone using things like the Estes Method, why they didn’t ask their more reliable and trusted objects like Billy for thoughts about The Crone. There was even a moment where Greg states that they weren’t sure they could trust what The Crone was saying and I (being one of those people who talks to the tv when I’m frustrated as if someone can hear me) asked, “Why don’t you ask a spirit object you DO trust then?” I can only assume they didn’t want to take attention away from the object the documentary was focused on by bringing something else in and having to explain to non-fans and new fans about it too.
I highly recommend The Unbinding as well as Hellier. I haven’t seen a documentary style or group doing the things they are doing and sharing to the public like this before. I hope to see more like it in the future. If you want behind the scenes and of course Greg and Dana Newkirk being very goofy (like doing seances in a hot dog costume) you can also join their Patreon. They put the files and videos of their other haunted objects, experiments, etc on there for certain tiered members and I have enjoyed perusing the files myself. Its also good if you’re waiting on season 3 of Hellier, like me, and need your fix.
If weird paranormal stuff with a unique flare (and not claiming everything is a demon) is your jam, I also recommend the Personal Pans Podcast and their yearly online convention. Vanessa Walilko is a darling human and has a background in social science that she brings to the table when discussing the paranormal community and people in general. I love it.
I ALSO have a paranormal podcast that is due for a massive overhaul and update, when I can get the time beyond my SmallTownCreepy schedule. If you would like to listen to me ramble about ghosts and the like with my Appalachian accent, check out HaintnHoller.
Did you know that my discord has a weekly movie night? We call it Terror Tuesday and every Tuesday at 8pm central time we watch a movie and chat. Its a great way to unwind during the week and I often do polls to see which movie we will be watching. Come and join us! (If the link does not work, feel free to message me on Discord – @ SmallTownCreepy)
