Paranormal Activity (www.the-usher.com)

"You cannot run from this- it will follow you."

After Katie become increasingly disturbed by night terrors and the feeling that something is in their house, Micah decides to set up a video camera in their bedroom to monitor her sleep patterns and find out if someone or something is getting in their home. After a series of strange noises and catching the bedroom door moving during the night, Katie asks a medium to visit the house but when he confirms that it isn’t a normal haunting, Micah becomes determined to prove there is nothing there, with dire consequences.

When it comes to finding anything original in the genre, horror fans have had to look to Europe and the Far East but Hollywood has finally produced something that will scare you to death.

Over the last decade, Hollywood has filled the Horror genre with remakes and sequels and fans have had to look outside of America for some real genuine scares. Real fright fests like ‘The Orphanage’, ‘Ringu’, ‘The Grudge’, ‘Let the Right One In’ and many more have allowed horror fans to get the scares that they crave. With Hollywood thinking that only remakes of these hits, 3D versions of franchises and re-imaginings of 70s and 80s classics are what supernatural horror are all about, it takes an independent filmmaker with a tiny budget to produce America’s scariest film in years.

When writer/director Oren Peli set out to make a supernatural horror movie, he must have never thought that his $15,000 movie that he made in his own home would go on to make over $190 million worldwide. Shot using a single camera, with point of view shots from a couple who think that they are been haunted by a demonic presence, the approach might not be the most original but for a film of this budget, it is an accomplished piece of genuine horror.

First time motion picture actors Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat play the young couple. Katie has been troubled with night terrors for most of her life but know she has the feeling that something has actually entered their house. Looking to prove her wrong, Micah sets up a camera in their bedroom. Over the next few nights the couple are shocked to hear noises and then see escalating activity that will lead to something truly terrifying. The movie is filmed in such a way that you feel you are witnessing the events along with Katie and Micah and thus the film builds real tension, only to be released with some genuine scares.

While it may not be the most original of storyline or the best acted, ‘Paranormal Activity’ has to be applauded for providing some genuine scary moments for a budget that wouldn’t even cover a day’s catering for any of Hollywood’s current offerings. Horror is such a hard genre to get right but Oren Peli does just that, making ‘Paranormal Activity’ a movie that will have you jumping out of your skin.

Not Available on the Review Copy

Feature Commentary by Director Oren Peli
Alternate Ending with exclusive commentary by director Oren Peli
Paranormal Activity Short Film Competition Winner & Runner Up

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2009