Haunted Hospitals

Hallows' Eve Curse and Room 24 is a one‑off TV episode that aired as part of the late‑90s horror anthology series Midnight Whispers. It stars relatively unknown talent – nursing assistant Claire (Emma Larkin), security guard Dave (Mark Haines) and a grizzled old‑timer playing the ghostly coal‑miner (Tommy Reed). The setting is an abandoned Victorian hospital on the edge of a former mining town, and the whole thing is pitched as a Halloween‑night scare‑fest. The story splits into three mini‑tales that braid together in the final act. First, the spirit of a coal miner who died in a tunnel collapse begins to haunt the empty wards, rattling doors and whispering through the vents. Meanwhile, Claire is tormented by a gaggle of hostile spirits that seem intent on driving her mad, while Dave, on night‑shift patrol, encounters a demonic presence that drifts through Room 24, flickering the lights and leaving scorch marks on the floor. The episode leans heavily on atmosphere – creaking floorboards, stale antiseptic smell and a soundtrack that feels ripped straight from The Haunting. Honestly, it’s a mixed bag. The mood is surprisingly proper for a budget TV slot, and the coal‑miner ghost has a melancholy twist that feels a bit deeper than the usual jump‑scares. On the downside, the pacing drags in the middle, the special effects look ropy by today’s standards, and the script leans on clichés that feel dated. If you’re a fan of low‑budget British hauntings like The Others or early American Horror Story seasons, you’ll find it mental fun; otherwise, it’s more of a nostalgic curiosity than a must‑watch. Rated 15 for moderate horror, occasional strong language and a few scenes of graphic injury. First terrestrial broadcast was on 31 October 1998, so expect period‑specific fashion and a slightly grainy picture. Viewer discretion is advised if you’re sensitive to creepy hospital settings or sudden demonic apparitions.