Parijat Ghosh 
Netflix’s True Haunting isn’t your usual jump-scare-fest. It’s a docuseries based on one of America’s most famous alleged ghost stories — the 1971 “Beck House haunting.” This real-life case inspired one of the first-ever televised exorcisms, aired live on NBC back in 1971. Yes, live. People tuned in expecting chills, but what followed became one of the strangest blends of horror and media spectacle ever caught on camera.
The series takes that bizarre event and unpacks it from every angle — the family who lived through it, the TV crew that broadcast it, and the skeptics who’ve been arguing about it for decades.
What It’s Actually About
The story centers on Ed and Marsha Becker, a couple who bought a seemingly normal home in Chicago. It didn’t stay normal for long. Soon, lights flickered, objects flew, and voices echoed from nowhere. When local priests couldn’t help, the couple turned to NBC to document the “exorcism” live on national television.
True Haunting explores not only the alleged paranormal activity but also how this event became a turning point for televised ghost hunting. If you thought reality TV was wild now, imagine doing an exorcism live in the ‘70s with no special effects — just pure chaos, crying priests, and terrified cameramen.
A Modern Look at a Classic Haunting
What makes the Netflix series interesting isn’t just the spooks — it’s the storytelling. Through a mix of archival footage, interviews, and dramatized recreations, True Haunting peels back the layers of what happened that night. It doesn’t scream “believe this!” but instead nudges you to decide for yourself.
The doc also touches on how media can amplify myths. Was it a haunting or just great TV? The crew members themselves still don’t agree. That tension keeps the series engaging and gives it a more grounded, documentary feel rather than a ghost-hunting reality show vibe.
Why It Stands Out
Let’s be real — paranormal shows are everywhere. But True Haunting feels fresh because it treats the story like history, not just horror. It’s less about making you jump and more about making you think. What happens when a family’s fear meets the power of television? Can belief itself create the ghosts we fear?
Plus, there’s a nostalgic charm to it. The ‘70s setting, the retro news clips, and the grainy TV footage make it feel like a creepy time capsule. It’s eerie, but in a “turn on one more light” kind of way, not a “hide under your blanket” way.
If you’re into true crime, mystery, or the psychology behind the paranormal, absolutely. It’s binge-worthy, especially for the Halloween season. Just don’t expect a demon to pop out — this one’s scarier because it might’ve actually happened. True Haunting is streaming now on Netflix. And whether you end up believing it or not, one thing’s for sure — you’ll never look at old TV exorcisms the same way again.
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