It’s Coming Review: Raw Emotional Reality!

Director Shannon Alexander ventures into the realm of the supernatural with It’s Coming, an intimate documentary that explores one family’s unsettling encounters with the unknown. The film centers on Ashley, a mother of five residing in her ancestral Brooklyn apartment, as she recounts her decades-long struggle with spirits—a haunting that began when she was just 11 years old and has now extended to her children.

Through a blend of candid interviews and eerie firsthand accounts, Alexander provides a rare glimpse into a story that has remained largely within the confines of the family’s tight-knit community. The documentary masterfully unravels layers of mystery in a setting that feels as grounded as it is unnerving.

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As someone who approaches the supernatural with an agnostic mindset, what truly compelled me in It’s Coming wasn’t the eerie spirits or ghostly encounters, but the profound mental and emotional toll on Ashley Roland and her children. In particular, Javier’s story struck a deep chord. His open admission of befriending a spirit and discussing death as a potential escape from the haunting is both heartbreaking and unsettling. At such a young age, around 8 or 9, Javier should be exploring childhood wonders, yet he’s weighed down by an existential burden that no child should bear. His candid reflections on the supernatural create a poignant and heavy emotional core that lingers throughout the film.

Ashley Roland’s personal trauma adds another layer of depth to It’s Coming. Having dealt with the supernatural since she was 11, she now faces the heartbreaking reality that her children may be enduring the same terrifying experiences. The constant fear of spirits and unsettling movements keeps her in a perpetual state of anxiety. Watching Ashley struggle with this unrelenting torment—haunted not only by the supernatural but also by the emotional weight of protecting her family—adds a profoundly human, heartbreaking element to the film, making it the most compelling part of the story.

Shannon Alexander’s approach is both immersive and respectful, allowing the Roland family’s supernatural experiences to take center stage without relying on judgment or sensationalism. Rather than pushing an agenda or trying to convince the audience of the paranormal’s validity, Alexander creates a space where the family’s experiences are presented as deeply personal. By focusing on the family’s emotional journey rather than dramatic shock value, Alexander crafts a balanced and nuanced exploration of the unknown.

Overall, It’s Coming stands out not just as a documentary about the supernatural, but as a powerful exploration of family, trauma, and resilience. Shannon Alexander’s ability to capture the raw emotional reality of Ashley Roland and her children gives the film a depth that transcends typical ghost stories. Rather than relying on fear and spectacle, the film offers a thoughtful reflection on the emotional toll of living with the unknown, making it a thought-provoking experience for viewers, whether they believe it or not.

‘It’s Coming’ Rating – 3.25/5