Paranormal Investigation for Social Media Enthusiasts
In 2017, Adam Ellis, a writer and cartoonist, felt that he was being visited by the ghost of a dead child. He documented his experiences online, using the hashtag #DearDavid. Ellis’ social media posts took off and were viewed by over 14 million people. He has turned that experience into paranormal investigation, answering the requests from people throughout the United States who claim to be haunted. These investigations are the content for the show, Trending Fear.
Ellis is joined by researcher Jen Lewis and ghost expert Paul Bradford. The trio venture to several interesting places and engage with witnesses, mediums, and experts to explain the mysterious happenings. During the six-episode first season, their investigations take them to a theater, a ghost train, and even a voodoo ceremony.
There is currently no shortage of ghost hunting shows on television. Investigations seem to be half of the Travel Channel’s programming as of 2020. Trending Fear is well-shot, professionally produced and paced to illicit the right amount of emotion between commercial breaks. The investigators use a relatively small set of tools, maybe the right amount to inspire would-be hunters to try their own paranormal hunts.
What separates this show from many others is what it lacks. There are no efforts to hype up the host or any company that they own. There is a distinct lack of “bro factor” which is all too common in the ghost hunting genre. Trending Fear leans into the mystery of each investigation, tying many of the encounters into historical events of family ties.
There are several highlights of the show’s first season. The Norwood Theater is tied very closely to Jen and her childhood and features multiple (potential) hauntings. The Texas Ghost Train ties together multiple hauntings in a single location that really throws the crew for a loop. Viewers may or may not believe the reported supernatural findings, but watching Adam, Jen and Paul scare the heck out of themselves is worth the watch.
Trending Fear premiered in 2019 and only has one season. It is currently streaming on Discovery+ and Hulu.