Is The Navidson Record real? Documentary explained

If you’re a true crime fan, chances are you’ve been searching for a “disturbing” documentary called The Navidson Record – but is it real?

2024 is off to a strong start in the true crime realm. The truly stranger-than-fiction tale of Natalia Grace continued with the follow-up series, Natalia Speaks, while the case of Gypsy Rose became the focus in January after her release coincided with The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard.

Over on Netflix, American Nightmare sparked a busy discussion, placing the Vallejo Police Department under scrutiny. More recently, Lover Stalker Killer has dominated conversations, as viewers uncover “unhinged” details left out of the documentary. 

But this week there’s been talks of a mysterious A24 documentary titled The Navidson Record – here’s what you need to know about it, including if it exists. 

Is The Navidson Record real? Documentary explained

No, The Navidson Record isn’t real, nor is it in development – it’s a fake A24 documentary created by TikToker Christie Bosch (@everydaychristie) derived from the fictional novel House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski.

Yesterday (February 15), Christie took to TikTok with a video showing clips that appear as if they’re taken from a documentary. “What would you do if you moved into a home and the inside was larger than the outside?” she asks. 

“As impossible as it sounds, it’s exactly what happened to Pulitzer-winning photographer Will Navidson. I have never been this disturbed by a documentary and I would be careful watching it if you have any mental health issues.”

Elaborating on the phony case, she continues: “Baffled by the house, Navidson brings in experts and starts recording everything. The difference in dimensions is only a few inches at first, but as time passes, the house expands and the men even start finding doorways that weren’t there before.

“I don’t want to spoil what happens but I will say that when they decide to open these doors, they find spaces that defy logic and connect with something that is deeply unsettling. The ending of this film has inspired countless essays and much debate.”

Overnight, the video has received more than 1.4 million views, and led thousands of people to go and watch a four-part series on YouTube titled The Navidson Record. However, as Christie explains in a follow-up, this fictional tale is lifted from House of Leaves. 

House of Leaves is a multi-layered and complex novel with a story within a story, revolving around a family’s experience with a mysterious house. The Navidson Record is a fictional documentary within the novel, created by the character Will Navidson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist.

Although many spectators noticed this reference in Christie’s TikTok, just as many were duped, leading her to share a follow-up to clarify the situation. 

“A lot of you are asking where to watch this, so I will explain,” she says. “I didn’t think this would get this many views because it’s so niche. First of all, you can’t watch this anywhere. I’m really sorry. Please forgive me. 

“If you spent time watching that four part series on YouTube, I’m really sorry, I didn’t know that that existed. But I bet those people who made that are probably impressed with the amount of views they’re getting.”

Christie goes on to explain that she’d been talking with her boyfriend about making videos on topics that aren’t documentaries but should be. He recommended starting with House of Leaves.

“House of Leaves is about a guy who discovers a fictional documentary called The Navidson Record,” she says. “It is presented as a story within a story and it will psychologically f*ck with you because the book deals with themes such as bending reality and dealing with things that are true and not true.”

She and her partner thought it would be a fun idea to create a fake documentary and present it as if it’s real – not realizing just how many people would be fooled. “I promise that in the future ones I won’t lie to you guys or fool you,” she adds, before clarifying that A24 definitely has nothing to do with it. 

So no, The Navidson Record isn’t real – but the book is well worth checking out. And if you’re looking for a true crime case related to a literal house of leaves, check out That Chapter’s chilling exploration of Matthew Hoffman: