This found-footage film centers on a couple Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat, who move to a new home in San Diego. The supernatural phenomenon begins to occur throughout the home, prompting Micah to set up cameras throughout the home to capture any paranormal activity occurring. With the supernatural phenomenon occurring ranging from flickering lights and doors slamming, it isn’t until footage of Katie skulking around the house in a trance that Katie discusses a presence that has haunted her since childhood and consults with Dr. Fredrichs. The psychic Dr. Fredrichs advises Katie that the force pursuing her is likely a demonic entity that feeds from her negative energy and that she should avoid communicating with the entity without a demonologist. As the activity in the home picks up, Micah’s interactions and documentation begin to reach a breaking point.
While the 1999 film, The Blair Witch Project placed found-footage films on the map for the general public, this 2007 supernatural thriller certainly perfected and cemented the formula. A focus during development on the presentation of the story and tension over action and gore is seen in the creative decisions of director Oren Peli. Peli chose to shoot the film using home video cameras and stationary tripod angles instead of a high-budget camera crew. Peli also chose to run the film without a conventional script instead using “retroscripting”, actors would be given outlines of the story and situations to improvise from leading to a more natural dialogue throughout the film. With a worldwide box office earning of $193 million the film is generally regarded as the most profitable film ever made due to its low budget and return on investment. If you find yourself craving more be sure to check out the expansive series including Paranormal Activity 2, Paranormal Activity 3, Paranormal Activity 4, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, and even a VR horror game Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul.
As always, if you’ve seen the listed film, dislike the film, or just don’t believe you would like it we have provided a list of alternative choices for you to pick from: alternative-films-for-this-spooky-season
FrankenCulture 