Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks SKG

Written By: Oren Peli

Shot for a reported $15,000 budget, and lingering on Paramount’s shelf for almost 2 years, “Paranormal Activity” is an impressively staged and creepy little movie that has moved into the pop culture pantheon as one of the most popular films of 2009. Playing on a simple and somewhat shopworn premise of being a “found film”, “Paranormal Activity” defines the “less is more” approach of filmmaking and delivers terrific intensity. Some moviegoers have reportedly walked out during the film for its being too much too take. While I was never scared per se, I sat on the edge of my seat with a smile on my face, appreciating the effort and experience on screen.

Beginning with a disclaimer that thanks the families of Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat for allowing the following footage to be shown, “Paranormal Activity” documents the increasingly odd incidents happening in Micah and Katie’s home. Dating for three years, Katie is a full-time student and Micah a successful daytrader. Their beautiful and spacious home becomes a haven for unexplained phenomenon that have hounded Katie, in some form or another, since she was 8 years of age. We learn that Katie has only recently shared with Micah the terrifying moments she has endured for much of the last 15 years, and Micah decides to document the unsettling developments in the house. Setting up the camera for a static shot in the bedroom, Micah hopes to collect the footage that reveals what may or may not be truly going on. Over the course of the next 21 days, we see the documented footage from Micah’s constant filming.

Many things work here and most importantly, the film feels genuine. Oren Peli’s first film is an astonishing achievement, considering the budget, and how well the story is told. Katie and Micah are played by young, first-time actors, and working without much of a script only adds to the sense of reality. The most believable scenes are not in the interactions between Katie and Micah though; rather, they exist in the quiet moments caught by the static camera in the couple’s bedroom. We have all had those times when a creak or noise at night in a quiet house has made our heart race, or left us unable to calm down or go back to sleep. “Paranormal Activity” seeks to dwell in that awkward place within us and while it didn’t exactly “get” me, many at my screening where audibly shaken by the film.

On occasion, the film lags a bit when Micah disregards Katie’s pleas and decides he is going to defeat the unseen forces by calling them out. Micah starts to become more obsessed with winning some sort of supernatural battle, and his growing emotional abandoning of his girlfriend does come off as slightly false.

Admittedly, “Paranormal Activity” did not ever make me forget that I was watching a movie; however, I admired the places it was striving to get to. By largely steering away from cliches, Oren Peli does more with this film and minuscule budget than most big-name horror directors can pull off with an entire body of work.

“Paranormal Activity” is one of those occasional, unexpected nice surprises. As it grows in popularity, the inevitable backlash may come. However, for 90 minutes, you will be captivated and intrigued, perhaps even scared, and you might utter a shriek or scream along the way.

Should I See It?

You like scary movies, which run away from gore and cheap thrills, and lean to the psychological.

You have heard the reports of people being unable to handle the film, and want to test your mettle.

NO

The whole “found footage” film idea is tiresome to you, post-”Blair Witch Project.”

You cannot handle scary films. If you are sensitive to suspense, this film will keep you up potentially for days.