Synopsis
The supernatural horror movie Paranormal Activity (2007), directed by Oren Peli, is a found-footage film that has become one of the most profitable movies in cinema history. The film was shot on a found-footage style and features a couple, Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat, who reside in a suburban house in San Diego.
Katie expresses how a mysterious entity has been stalking her since she was a child. Micah, her boyfriend, sets out to document her claims, and out of skepticism, installs cameras around the house in hopes of exposing fake evidence. Events that start as flickering lights and sounds slowly devolve into violent haunting, suggesting the presence of a demonic force that is far more sinister than a simple haunting.
The movie is built around the idea of gradually increasing the horror with a focus on tension to heighten viewer engagement. The most terrifying moments of the movie leave audiences with the reminder that the most terrifying monsters may actually be the ones that do not make themselves visible to the victims.
Cast and Characters
Katie Featherston as Katie – Katie has been tormented by the presence of a malevolent force since her childhood. The character’s vulnerability and fear moves the plot of the film forward.
Micah Sloat as Micah – Katie’s boyfriend more interested in investigating the devotional entity than treating it with the proper reverence.
Mark Fredrichs as Dr. Fredrichs – A psychic who cautions them about the spirit but self-excludes for safety reasons.
Amber Armstrong as Amber – Katie’s friend who portrays a worried voice but only surfaces for a short time.
Casting lesser-known actors enhanced the film’s authenticity, contributing to the illusion that viewers were engaging with genuine found footage.
Direction and Cinematography
As evident from the film, Oren Peli’s directorial choices seem to be minimal. The film was shot with a home video camera, which deepened the film’s DIY, realistic atmosphere. Peli’s use of static camera angles, off-screen sounds, shadows, and self-moving doors turned into some of the most innovative and impactful horror film techniques with a mere budget of $15,000.
The film’s use of static long takes, where the camera and frame are held still for extended periods, forces the viewers to search the frame for subtle motion, creating a feeling of heightened paranoia. This slow-burn approach turns the subversion of traditional horror on its head, and instead of sudden violence, the plot relies on psychological suspense.
The sound design simultaneously incorporates creaking, footsteps, and whispers, and thunderous sounds which improve tension without the use of a score.
Themes and Symbolism
Domestic Safety
The home, which is a domain of safety in the suburbs, turns into a site of supernatural violence.
Skepticism vs. Belief
Micah’s dismissive stance on the haunting activates the contrast with Katie’s genuine panic, which serves to demonstrate the denial, alongside arrogance, deepens a perilous predicament.
Loss of Control
The static camera angles create a sense of powerlessness as a character’s internal struggle is externalized for the audience to view.
The Power of the Unseen
This film captures a deep-rooted anxiety of the unfamiliar, allowing the audience to fear what is not there by avoiding showing the entity up close and personal.
Toxic Masculinity & Hubris
His decision to attempt to resolve the issue alone, without expert help, reflects an unyielding American Masculinity and ultimately damns both himself and Katie.
Reception
Paranormal Activity was released in 2007 as a completed film in festival screenings, however, it was later released to the public in 2009 after Steven Spielberg took interest and it was put into distribution by Paramount Pictures.
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83% (Certified Fresh).
Critics have lauded the film for its simplicity in execution, the lulls in the film followed by sudden jarring effects, and its ability to frighten without the use of technology.
While some critics took issue with its pacing, the film drew in audiences due to a viral ad campaign that encouraged consumers to request the film in their area.
The film’s budget of 15,000itsprofitof15,000itsprofitof193 million made it one of the most financially successful films by the ratio in history.
Legacy
The film created an entire franchise with sequels, prequels and spin-offs, and is considered a hallmark of modern horror. Its influence on the genre’s revival is evident in the films The Last Exorcism (2010) and The Devil Inside (2012).
And it also proved that in the horror genre, one does not need an epic budget or heavily computer generated imagery to succeed, on the contrary, a well thought of premise, great execution, and the ability to grab on to universal fear is enough.
Conclusion
Its success in the box office proven with the number of 100 million dollars, Paranormal Activity (2007) is one of the most profitable films in modern cinematic history. The film created an entire franchise with sequels, prequels and spin-offs, and is considered a hallmark of modern horror. Its influence on the genre’s revival is evident in the films The Last Exorcism (2010) and The Devil Inside (2012).
And it also proved that in the horror genre, one does not need an epic budget or heavily computer generated imagery to succeed, on the contrary, a well thought of premise, great execution, and the ability to grab on to universal fear is enough.
