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Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Mark Fredrichs, Amber Armstrong, Ashley Palmer ... see more see more... , Randy McDowell , Michael Bayouth , Crystal Cartwright , Tim Piper

A haunted house makes no secret of the fact it's not pleased with its new tenants in this independent tale of supernatural horror. Katie (Katie Featherson) and Micah (Micah Sloat) are a twentysomethin... read more read more...g couple who've just moved into a new home in San Diego, CA. Katie has an interest in the paranormal and believes that malevolent spirits have been following her since childhood, though Micah is not so easily convinced. However, after several nights of loud noises and strange happenings, Micah starts to agree with Katie that some sort of ghost may have followed them to the new home. After a paranormal researcher tells the couple he can't help them, Micah decides to take control of the situation and sets up a battery of video cameras so that if a spirit manifests itself, he can capture its behavior on tape. Once the surveillance cameras are in place, Katie and Micah bring in a Ouija board in an effort to talk to the spirits, a move that deeply offends the ghosts. Paranormal Activity was the first feature film from writer and director Oren Peli. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

56% liked it

228,552 ratings

Critics

82% liked it

187 critics

R, 1 hr. 26 min.

Directed by: Oren Peli

Release Date: September 25, 2009

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DVD Release Date: December 29, 2009

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Stats: 33,594 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (33,594)

  • jmanard52
    January 20, 2010
    jmanard52
    Better than I expected but really I think im over this style of film.
  • katykern8261
    May 30, 2012
    katykern8261
    Directed (and written) by Oren Peli, Blumhouse Productions, 2007. Starring Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat and Mark Fredricks.

    Genre: Horror, Mystery

    Question: Do you ever do something you really don't want to do but someone dares you? Admit it - you have! You all should kno... read morew by now that I am NOT a fan of horror films, right? Well, I just watched Paranormal Activity with headphones on (as instructed) because I was sort of coaxed into it. All I will say is that I am not a happy camper right now and it's dark...and soon bedtime. Drats!

    Okay..that is all I could get down of this review before I forced myself to go upstairs to bed...YAWN...I am really tired because I did not sleep well due to viewing that film. Why, you ask? Let me tell you. When almost an entire movie takes place in the home, particularly in the bedroom with creepy things like noises, banging and the sheets being taken off by some thing, it is just NOT conducive for sleeping well - at least not for this person.

    So, here I am the following day after viewing yet another horror film only 8 days removed from my last one. Therefore I can't wrap my sleep deprived head around this review...coffee....ok, I am back. Where shall I begin?

    First, I have to say I am more than considering changing my name now. If you find this perplexing read my review of the last horror film I viewed recently: Fright Night. I'll wait......... Got it? Good! Hearing my name over and over and over again was just too unsettling for me. ENOUGH!

    Second, the story was pretty decent. It took a slightly different approach to a common horror theme. I really thought Paranormal Activity was just about a plain, old haunting. It is not. In fact, the twist the film-makers used brought a haunting to a whole new level - a level that when you think about, even after the movie, it freaks you out and sticks with you awhile.

    Lastly, the way the movie was shot with the handheld camera by the characters brought more realism to the story. Sure, it reminded me of The Blair Witch Project (yes, I saw that one, really!). However, in Paranormal Activity, I did find some of the scenes a little choppy or unnecessary to the story. Some of them just seemed thrown in or perhaps I need to view it again to make sure I didn't miss something but that is not going to happen. The scare factor of Paranormal Activity is now deeply locked in my brain and will forever be there just waiting to pop out when I least expect it.

    So, let me describe the scare factor a bit more for those of you who haven't seen this movie yet. Many horror films like to overdo the blood and guts or show too much of a creature. Those tricks can be scary and work well, but what is scariest, to me, is when the film-makers force you to use your imagination. Usually what we can think up is far worse than what they can show realistically.

    Case in point: There is a story about problems with Bruce, the mechanical shark, used in Jaws especially with the opening scene (you know which one I am talking about). Bruce just wouldn't work no matter how hard they wanted it to so Stephen Spielberg came up with using just the fin and pulling the girl down in the water. We were supposed to see the big man-eater chomp her up but since we didn't see what was attacking her we had to imagine it. That was horrifying and that scene may go down as the all time scariest scenes on film.

    So with all that said I am not going to tell you anymore about the film. Except I should say that this one will probably stick with you awhile and whatever you do, if you hear noises or voices in your house don't agitate whatever is making the noise...trust me.

    My favorite thing: When I actually thought it wasn't that scary and I guessed I was finally maturing. Then...

    My least favorite thing: ....I realized I was just as much of a chicken as I normally am about horror films.

    Rating: R
    Length: 86 minutes

    Review: 6 out of 10
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    March 14, 2012
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Paranormal Activity is a solid supernatural horror film that is one of the most memorable films in the genre in quite some time. The film delivers effective chilling sequences of horror that will stick with long after you've seen this film. Paranormal Activity for me is a better ... read moreattempt at the found footage/documentary style genre of horror films. Though not the greatest in the genre, I personally feel that Paranormal Activity brought something that was missing from the genre and that is genuine tension. Paranormal Activity is a pulse pounding horror flick that is simple in its execution. Simple, but it delivers effective terror. Most horror flicks these days concentrate on quick jump scares, though somewhat effective, it doesn't have the same effect as slow paced horror where it takes time to build the dread into the viewer, thus the viewing experience is more enjoyable and more frightening. The horror delivery isn't rushed and it succeeds in delivering effective horror. Personally, I much preferred this film over The Blair Witch Project. I felt that the jolts were more real this time around, and director Oren Peli had a much more in depth comprehension of what makes a truly horrifying horror film. Though not perfect, Paranormal Activity delivers the scares and jolts that is much needed in today's horror films. For those looking for something scary, Paranormal Activity may delivery the spine tingling chills you so desire. Though not a truly original concept, Paranormal Activity definitely captures the essence of terror really well, and in the end, it's what makes a worthwhile film to watch.
  • wildaly14
    November 16, 2011
    wildaly14
    I can certainly understand how the novelty of this film and it certainly delivered in the suspense/horror department. I did not particularly like the characters but if you're looking for a different type of horror movie, you're looking in the right direction.
  • jamers2011
    November 15, 2011
    jamers2011
    I thought this was going to be better but I honestly didn't think it was scary at all. I liked the 2nd and 3rd ones much more.
  • nikhilnn95
    October 30, 2011
    nikhilnn95
    Revolutionary and a breath of fresh air, better than Blair Witch, and takes horror back to its roots when the smallest noises and minimal use of CGI still got me to cringe in my seat.
  • aquateen2
    October 29, 2011
    aquateen2
    It's suspenseful and well filmed with a mockumentary camera style. However, the suspense nevr really delivers as it didn't scare me like it was supposed to. Paranormal Activity was well-done in every other way considering its low budget and it will certainly entertain mainstream ... read moreteenagers and adults. Howveer for fans of true horror, Paranormal Activity is extremely over-hyped.
  • fb100002384654145
    October 29, 2011
    fb100002384654145
    The most over hyped horror movie since Saw. The movies plot reduces to two minute scenes of objects slightly moving or loud noises and ten minute scenes of the annoying couple talking about what happened in those two minute scenes. Lather, rinse, repeat. The couple in this mov... read moreie is unlikable and annoying, I wished the demon would have gotten to them sooner just so the movie could have ended sooner. I've seen youtube pop up scare videos that were more suspenseful than this movie. There is nothing scary about objects slightly moving. The movie's biggest mistake is it reveals everything in the first twenty minutes. In order to make a good horror movie, some things need to be left to the imagination.
  • CreedsDelight
    October 27, 2011
    CreedsDelight
    Not a monumental piece of work, but it still delivers thrills and never bores. It's basically pop-out after pop-out. It's incredibly cool watching it with the sound loud and the lights off.
  • fb733768972
    October 25, 2011
    fb733768972
    This is as terrifying as a movie going experience will ever get! Most of the film relies on suspense and holds out until the very end to really get your heart-pumping, but it is a very clever and smart piece of horror cinema and probably one of my favourite horror films of the la... read morest decade. For having a budget of a mere $15,000, I applaud the filmmakers for making such a fantastic film. It does feel like it has a few place holders to keep the audience involved, but other than that, the camera placement is phenomenal, the actors are great for hardly even having a pay grade, and the movie itself is just awesome. I love paranormal activity and the end left me begging for more!

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Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones
December 15, 2009
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

The climax is deliciously scary, and Peli gets considerable mileage from the simple matter of lights inexplicably going on in another room. Full Review

Roger Ebert
December 15, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

It illustrates one of my favorite points, that silence and waiting can be more entertaining than frantic fast-cutting and berserk f/x. For extended periods here, nothing at all is happening, and belie... Full Review

Dana Stevens
October 30, 2009
Dana Stevens, Slate

Though it never poses a question more abstract than "Where's that scratching sound coming from?" Paranormal Activity is all about spiritual and ethical debts coming due. Full Review

Tirdad Derakhshani
October 22, 2009
Tirdad Derakhshani, Philadelphia Inquirer

Peli is to be congratulated for pulling off such an audacious project, but he needs a sharper sense of timing: The film's pacing is uneven, which weakens the suspense. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
October 22, 2009
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

Like legendary producer Val Lewton in the '40s, director Oren Peli, who shot Paranormal in seven days in his own home, understands that what's most frightening is what you don't see but merely suggested. Full Review

Justine Elias
October 22, 2009
Justine Elias, Boston Globe

It's like watching a YouTube clip of your irritating neighbors, knee deep in muck, as they argue the effectiveness of plumbers. Full Review

Richard Corliss
October 22, 2009
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

Beyond the viral ingenuity of the marketing, what's cool about PA is that it's not just a fun thrill ride; it's an instructive artistic experience. Full Review

Jen Chaney
October 16, 2009
Jen Chaney, Washington Post

It's the sleeper hit that makes audiences too petrified to ever sleep again. Full Review

James Rocchi
October 15, 2009
James Rocchi, MSN Movies

The sizzle of the marketing is impressive; the steak of the actual movie, served bloody and rare and juicy, is even more so. Full Review

Peter Howell
October 12, 2009
Peter Howell, Toronto Star

The people most scared by Paranormal Activity may be the makers of high-priced special effects, who will have to explain to studio bosses how a kid with $15,000 and one or two cameras can create such ... Full Review

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    • Micah: FUCK THIS SHIT!
    • Katie: Micah, get the fuck out!
    • Micah: Whoa!
    • Katie: I said don't mess with that stuff, because it scared me and what do you do? You go out and get the best looking fucking Ouija board I've ever seen and put it in the middle of our living room? Explain that to me.
    • Katie: Something's here.
    • Micah: Basically, they're these malevolent evil spirits that only exist to cause pain and commit evil for their own amusement. It's pretty creepy- I mean, they stalk people for years, like decades, and sometimes they're really intelligent in the way they do things to freak you out.
    • Micah: I'm pretty sure what we did was illegal in Kentucky and 20 other states. She's a Freak!
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