Creepy Critic: ‘Paranormal Activity’ Review

Paranormal Activity is one of those movies I feared I might not like after the hype that surrounded it started to grow, daily. I’ve had that experience with several flicks before and it’s such a bummer. I really wanted to like this film. I thought Paramount’s marketing strategy was sharp and director Oren Peli’s DIY approach won me over, but every time someone else would rave about the scare factor, I would cringe. It’s 3:07 AM right now and I can finally say with certainty that the scare is there. Paranormal Activity stays with you long after leaving the theater and accomplishes so much by using so little.

Micah (Micah Sloat) and Katie (Katie Featherston) are the young couple at the center of unexplained and terrifying paranormal episodes occurring in their home. In an attempt to understand the haunting and take back control over their lives, Micah decides to film the couple while they sleep. This footage along with other candid video makes up the film. We eventually learn that Katie has a history with the strange entity and your sense of dread grows while the couple battles the entity and often each other as the stress starts to take its toll. Eventually things take a turn for the worse as the paranormal activity grows out of control.

Micah and Katie are a likable couple and everything they do comes across quite naturally. I often found myself turning to look at my boyfriend during the film because their rituals and banter are similar to what many couples experience. You can’t help but feel sympathy for them. They do a remarkable job at carrying the film considering the two additional cast members (yes, there are just 4 actors total!) are on screen for maybe 10 minutes combined.

By using a singular location, the couple’s home–and often just the bedroom, Peli creates a claustrophobic sense of dread that builds with each scene. Everything is beautifully minimal. There are no major special effects, no soundtrack and Peli takes advantage of small, quiet moments which are the most unsettling points during the film. The ominous time stamp on the video footage, a moving chandelier, powdered footprints, a crawling bed sheet and a swinging door are all expertly crafted in building an unbearable tension. Peli understands that what you don’t see is often more frightening than what you do see.

Horror fans that are too impatient to appreciate Peli’s subtle approach may take issue with this film, even though there are several scenes that knock you off your seat and one terrifying moment that made the audience roar. I am still questioning if the ending scare tactic didn’t feel slightly cheap, even though it worked like hell on me. If you get a chance to see Paranormal Activity in the theater, do so. The sound was incredibly creepy and the scares are bigger. I’m curious to see how the film holds up on a TV screen and for repeated viewings.

Paranormal Activity is more than just another faux documentary. Oren Peli is a strong and promising new voice on the scene–capturing audiences with his less is more approach. Peli’s new film, Area 51, is in pre-production and continues the found footage angle. Let’s hope that Peli can conjure the same intensity and indie charm of Paranormal Activity with a bigger budget.