Review of Haunted Ulster Live
Haunted Ulster Live (2024) Dir. Dominic O’Neill
There’s definitely something in the pipes in this lovingly made homage to Ghostwatch, the generation scarring 1992 BBC production from Lesley Manning and Stephen Volk. Writer and director Dominic O’Neill uses the same basic setup (an established television host teaming with a beloved children’s programme presenter to explore reports of poltergeist activity) and incorporates a good dose of humour and some interesting plot moves towards the finale.
What we’re presented with is the raw footage of a 1998 live event, in which jaded presenter Gerry Burns (Mark Claney) and up-and-comer Michelle Kelly (Aimee Richardson) try and discover what is haunting desperate mother Sarah (Siobhan Kelly) and her child Rose (Libby McBride). They’re joined by medium Sinead (Antoninette Morelli) and Robert (David Fleming), who brings his own theories about ley lines and psychic energy.
A nice touch here is that O’Neill imagines a channel with adverts, meaning that we get to see characters between the planned spots and pieces to camera. Much of the humour within the film comes from this, as Gerry tries to rejuvenate his flagging career behind the scenes, and Michelle attempts to move up the ladder with a reported Blue Peter job in the pipeline.
There’s also more time given to build context. As we’re travelling back in time to Ulster in 1998, there are allusions to the political situation at the time, and the devastating events that came before. There are also lighter moments, as Michelle interacts with neighbours outside the house, and three young women there to support DJ Declan (Dan Leith), who is holding his own vigil live from the attic of the house.
Of course, during the broadcast, everything goes horribly wrong. The haunting is far beyond anything the crew could have envisioned and while Haunted Ulster Live doesn’t have scares as such – certainly not the same level of creeping dread that Ghostwatch has – it does an excellent job of developing the backstory to Black Foot Jack, the reported poltergeist.
As it rumbles towards the ending, O’Neill adds some neat story beats that start to differentiate it from its influences. Not all of this works 100%, and we’d be entering full spoiler territory to discuss any of it here, but it certainly helps this to stand out. Especially since we’ve had the high-profile release of Late Night with the Devil, and a re-appraisal of Ghostwatch itself in recent years.
It's a film that lives and dies on the excellent performances within. While possibly a little overhyped in the 12 months since it first appeared on the festival circuit, Haunted Ulster Live is a great little 80 minute love letter to Ghostwatch and Most Haunted.
★★★★
4 / 5
Matthew Tilt
Haunted Ulster Live is available on UK and Ireland digital platforms from 14 October
@hauntedulster #HauntedUlsterLive
