Netflix Viewers Warn New Horror Series Is So 'Terrifying' They Couldn't Sleep For Days After Watching It

Netflix viewers are warning others to proceed with caution before hitting play on a new docuseries that’s so frightening it’s reportedly left some people unable to function normally afterward. The show has quickly gained a reputation for being one of the streaming platform’s scariest releases this year.

Fans of the supernatural are sharing their reactions online, saying the series goes far beyond the typical haunted house story. Many claim they couldn’t sleep after watching it, describing it as a nightmare come to life that’s best watched with the lights on.

The show, which debuted on October 7, dives deep into eerie tales of the occult — but with a dark, documentary-style twist that makes it feel disturbingly real.

At first glance, it might look like another ordinary paranormal docuseries, but viewers say this one takes things much further. The jump scares, unsettling visuals, and slow-burn horror make it feel like a full-on psychological thriller rather than a simple ghost story.

What makes it even more chilling is that every episode is rooted in real-life testimony. The people featured claim these bizarre, terrifying encounters actually happened to them, which adds another layer of fear to the experience.

One terrified viewer posted online saying they “haven’t slept properly since episode two,” a sentiment that many others have echoed across social media.

Another horrified fan warned: "There is no way I'm turning off the lights and watching this at night."

It seems plenty of people agree that this series is best watched during daylight hours — with a comforting distraction lined up for afterward.

The Netflix show has people scared Netflix

Despite terrifying its audience, True Haunting has also earned plenty of praise from critics who admire its craftsmanship and tone.

Karina Adelgaard from Heaven of Horror praised the series, writing: "It does have quite a few of James Wan's signature moves. Either he was fairly hands-on or the directors were inspired."

"This is far from the first Netflix docudrama in the paranormal horror niche, but it just might be the best so far."

Joe Keller from Decider added his thoughts, saying: "True Haunting does a good job of mixing the scripted reenactments and real-life interviews about these paranormal encounters, which is something that's rare in the horror docuseries genre."

The five-part Netflix series was created by acclaimed horror filmmaker James Wan — the mind behind The Conjuring and Insidious — and it’s clear his influence is all over it. The show has been hailed as one of the creepiest things to drop on the platform in years.

Viewers everywhere are urging others not to make the mistake of watching it late at night unless they want their sleep schedule permanently wrecked.

The first two episodes center around a college student named Chris DiCesare, who becomes tormented by a sinister presence inside his dorm room in New York during the 1980s. His story sets the tone for what’s to come — a chilling look at real-life hauntings that blur the line between fact and fear.

Later episodes follow the Miller family, who find their dream home turning into a nightmare after they move into a Victorian-era house in Salt Lake City. What begins as a simple renovation quickly spirals into a haunting that threatens the entire family.

The shift between stories keeps viewers on edge, with each case feeling even darker and more unpredictable than the last.

Eventually, the investigation draws the attention of world-famous paranormal experts Ed and Lorraine Warren, whose involvement only heightens the series’ realism and tension. Their appearance connects True Haunting to the larger universe of real-world ghost investigations that inspired so many classic horror films.

While most viewers and critics have praised the show’s quality and eerie storytelling, not everyone is convinced. One critic described the series as lacking depth, writing: "The concise elevator pitch of Netflix's True Haunting seems to have been, simply, another in a long list of enduringly popular but typically terrible 'true stories' about real-life hauntings, but with a glossy, cinematic sheen over those re-enactments."

Critics enjoyed the docuseries Netflix

Another skeptical viewer added: "What is infuriating about shows like this is that they encourage viewers to believe that paranormal phenomena might be real, without putting in any of the hard work necessary to justify that conclusion."

Still, if you’re brave enough to test your nerves, True Haunting is now streaming on Netflix — just maybe avoid watching it right before bed unless you’re prepared for a long, sleepless night.