According to the new GRIND MIND document-series A Newfoundland Nightmare: The Hag, sleep paralysis affects just over 7% of the world’s population. Except in Newfoundland and Labrador where it is much more common and something like 60% of the residents experience it at least once in their lifetime.

Sleep paralysis is a sleep disturbance that resulting in a person being trapped between sleep states. It comes with intense fear as the person lies awake in nightmare-like state without the ability to use any part of their body. It is often accompanied by the feeling of a malevolent presence. In Newfoundland and Labrador the most common manifestation of the presence is known as ‘The Hag’.

A person visited by ‘the hag’ ‘wakes up’ paralyzed only to become aware of a sinister woman in the room with them. She‘a often described as a decaying creature, with dark eyes and long bony fingers. She approaches her victim, often climbing on top of them, compressing their chest until they feel they can’t breathe. All the while, her victims are powerless to move or do anything to help themselves.

It’s a terrifying experience.

A Newfoundland Nightmare: The Hag presents the stories of people visited by this seemingly supernatural entity and tells their stories. The film makers chat with folklorists and a sleep specialist to provide context around this cultural/psychological phenomenon.

It is an interesting series that is both informative and terrifying.

The highlight is their recreation of some ‘hag’ encounters — they are vivid and somewhat gruesome. Doubling-down on the creepy it’s all set to a soundtrack that will make the hair stand-up on the back of your neck.

It’s really, really well done.

The series is comprised of 4 short episodes and can be streamed on Bell Fibe TV1 right now.

Do it... if you dare!