Prologue
Paranormal Activity is a milestone in the world of horror cinema. The 2007 film, directed by Oren Peli, pioneered the use of found footage cinematography as a style of filmmaking, setting a new standard for supernatural horror. Its use of home videos as a source of horror was pathbreaking and has served as an inspiration for many filmmakers ever since.
Cast & Characters
Katie Featherston as Katie – a girl that has had a troubling childhood due to being stalked by an invisible Spirit.
Micah Sloat as Micah – Katie’s boyfriend does not believe in paranormal occurrences but bulks over the house with cameras to see what happens when he is away.
Mark Fredrichs as Dr. Fredrichs – the psychic couple that tells the parents of the woman about their terrible omen.
Amber Armstrong as Amber – A girl and Katie’s friend who tends to worry too much.
Ashley Palmer as Diane – A person mentioned in the stories and a subject of interest in the movie who suffered the most.
Summary
Katie and Micah are a young couple who decided to move into a suburban home but little did they know that their lives would change forever. They start seeing weird things happen in the house which defies their logic. As the days go by, Micah places a camera in the house to capture the movements. To their shock, the events are way more disturbing than what was expected. Everything from calm whispers and lights blinking escalates to horrifying nightmares. Katie and Micah were cautioned against by a psychic, but Micah continued on with filming. Due to his negligence, the couple is forced to endure life changing consequences – which traps them into a never-ending nightmare.
Behind the Scenes & Filming Techniques Used
Paranormal activity had a budget of only $15,000 and was filmed in documentary style, which explains the low budget & the high degree of realism it portrays. Use of special effects was at a minimum, and there was a focus on suspenseful scenes and sound effects. Both these techniques invoke a feeling of dread in the audience, which is what makes the movie so impactful. The sequel very clearly shows how much more effective psychological tension can be than graphic displays.
Release and Reception
The Screamfest Horror Film Festival gave its first-premiere to the movie “Paranormal Activity” in 2007 and two years later the movie was released at theaters across the world. It has grossed more than $193 million globally and is known as a cultural phenomenon due to the immense success it received as well as its innovative approach to storytelling in horror movies. The film’s marketing campaign, which featured an audience-interactive component, played a critical role in the success of the film.
Where To WatchThe film is available on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Paramount+ and can also be rented or purchased over Apple TV and Google Play.
Themes and Cultural Significance
Paranormal Activity is fundamentally about fear, skepticism, and the invisible powers that dwell within our surrounding. By incorporating domestic settings into supernatural terror, the film achieves profound dread as it taps on the unknown and home security. It contributed to the revival of found-footage horror and gave rise to numerous imitators which spawned from the enduring success of its sequels.