On Halloween in 1992, the BBC spooked the nation with the mockumentary Ghostwatch, an apparently live broadcast from Britain’s most haunted house. Despite its being advertised as drama, many viewers believed it was real; some even thought that presenter Michael Parkinson was actually possessed by a poltergeist called Pipes. Naturally the complaints poured in. Ghostwatch’s cult status will get a boost from this affectionate tribute from Northern Ireland: a nicely acted, good-natured lo-fi horror with some creepy moments but nothing properly scary to keep you awake.
It is 1998. A Northern Irish TV channel is broadcasting live on Halloween from a suburban house where a poltergeist has been terrorising a mum and her two kids. Inside the house is Gerry Burns (Mark Claney), a veteran daytime favourite in the Eamonn Holmes mould with an easy, slightly ironical manner. He’s partnered by enthusiastic children’s TV presenter Michelle (Aimee Richardson), who is freezing outside in the “ghost tent” watching footage from the house with a pair of charisma-free paranormal researchers.
The awkwardness of rolling live TV is nicely done, and the film-makers have good fun pastiching crap 90s adverts. The plot thickens nicely with the arrival of a psychic called Sinead and a chartered accountant called Robert with specialist knowledge of ley lines. It is Robert who explains the poltergeist’s interest in the family’s daughter, 10-or-so-year-old Rose (Libby McBride).
There are a couple of funny moments when the penny drops and the TV crew realise that this haunting might be for real. But it’s a little light on gags to work as comedy, while the 90s setting means no one is going to mistake it for a real-life TV broadcast either, adding to the unscary feel.
• Haunted Ulster Live is on digital platforms from 14 October
