Netflix’s Paranormal is a slow-burn horror series that leans on Egyptian folklore and a skeptical scientist’s reluctant embrace of the strange. Based on Ahmed Khaled Tawfik’s book series, the show follows Dr. Refaat Ismail, a Cairo-based hematologist who finds himself entangled in supernatural cases that test his faith in science. It is Netflix’s first original Egyptian Arabic-language series and the third Middle Eastern Netflix original, following Jinn. The series premiered on November 5, 2020, with six standalone episodes, each tied together by the recurring Khadrawy House.
Trailer, via Netflix.
Refaat and His Haunted World
Ahmed Amin plays Refaat Ismail, a cynical hematologist and professor who narrates his own experiences with paranormal events. He is skeptical by nature, a man of science who refuses to believe in the unseen until he is forced to. The show’s central tension comes from his refusal to accept the supernatural, even as he encounters it again and again. Refaat is skinny, bald, and suffers various health issues, which ground his character in physical frailty even as he investigates the mystical.
Reem Abd El Kader plays Shiraz Elkhadrawy, the ghost of a girl Refaat loved in his childhood. She stalks his old friends and their families, leading him toward what she wants. Razane Jammal plays Maggie Mckillop, Refaat’s university colleague from Scotland, whom he still has feelings for. She returns to Egypt for a visit, providing a link to his past and a human connection amid the strangeness. Aya Samaha plays Huwaida Abdel Moniem, Refaat’s fiancée, whom he saves from a mummy’s curse before finally breaking up with her.
Rushdi Al Shami plays Reda Ismail, Refaat’s older brother, and Batea Khalil plays Talaat, Raeefa’s husband. Samma Ibrahim plays Raeefa Ismail, Refaat’s older sister and Talaat’s wife. The supporting cast fills out Refaat’s social circle, giving the show a domestic anchor amid its supernatural investigations.
The Cases That Make Up the Season
Each episode of Paranormal centers on a famous urban legend from the Ma Wara’ al-Tabi’a novel series. The cases are standalone, but they all connect through the recurring Khadrawy House. Refaat coins eponymous laws based on Murphy’s law, at first to deny the paranormal and later to understand it. This framing device gives the show a consistent through-line even as each episode stands alone.
The series is structured as a succession of mysteries, with Refaat attempting to unravel the secrets behind each unusual case. Local mythology, global folk tales, and his own health issues all come into play as he investigates. Along the way, Refaat questions his strong scientific convictions, and he and Maggie attempt to save their loved ones from the dangers they uncover.
| Episode | Urban Legend |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Khadrawy House |
| 2 | The Mummy’s Curse |
| 3 | Shiraz Elkhadrawy |
| 4 | The Naiad |
| 5 | A Demon’s Daughter |
| 6 | The Eponymous Laws |
Reception and Its Reach
Paranormal was a major hit in Egypt and beyond. It quickly rose to become the number one most watched show in the “Top Ten in Egypt Today” list, and it was ranked number one in Egypt. The show also reached audiences worldwide, ranking amongst the top ten most watched shows in several countries around the world.
The show’s biggest moment came when it became the first Egyptian program to reach Netflix’s Worldwide Top 10 charts, peaking at #7. The show lasted on the top 10 for only 8 days, but that achievement made it a cultural landmark for Egyptian television.
Where It Falls Short
The show’s slow pacing can work against it. Some episodes rely heavily on exposition and atmosphere, which can feel dense for viewers who want a faster narrative. The standalone format means that each mystery resets, and some of the mid-season episodes feel more like set-up than payoff.
The show’s reliance on established urban legends means that the surprises are often predictable for viewers who know the stories. The Khadrawy House serves as a connecting thread, but it sometimes feels like a device rather than a character-driven arc. The eponymous laws are a clever framing device, but they don’t always deepen the storytelling as much as they could.
A Solid Debut for Egyptian Horror
Paranormal succeeds because it commits fully to its premise. It doesn’t try to be a procedural or a gritty crime drama; it embraces the supernatural with confidence. Refaat’s skepticism makes him a relatable anchor, and his relationship with Maggie grounds the show in something warmer than the ghostly horrors around him.
The show’s strength is in its specificity. It draws on Egyptian folklore and mythology, presenting monsters and mysteries that feel distinct from Western horror tropes. This specificity is what makes the show stand out, even as its structure and pacing hold it back from greatness.
Paranormal is a solid debut for Egyptian horror on Netflix. It’s a show that rewards attention, even when its pacing slows. The standalone episodes are best enjoyed as individual stories rather than a continuous thriller, and the show’s global reach speaks to its appeal beyond its native audience.
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