Column:
Submerse yourself in 'Paranormal Activity'
Published Oct. 23, 2009
If you have opened any entertainment-related magazine or browsed the Internet for any length of time, you have probably heard of the new horror film "Paranormal Activity."
Coming from a first-time director, an unheard of cast consisting of only four people and a meager $11,000 budget, "Paranormal" has whipped horror fans into an unprecedented frenzy. Riding a wave of overwhelming hype, the film crashed into theatres everywhere last week, delivering on the hype and solidifying itself in history as one of the best horror movies of all time.
The plot is relatively simplistic: A young couple decides to record possible supernatural happenings at their house by setting a camera in their room. What ensues is a grippingly suspenseful tale that focuses more on the emotional strain of a haunting than the fireworks and hoopla of the supernatural presence itself.
To have a true appreciation for "Paranormal Activity," a brief history is involved. For starters, "Paranormal" was actually filmed and released in 2007. Director and writer Oren Peli concocted the idea after experiencing a few supernatural happenings in his house.
After research into the paranormal and renovating his own home to use as the set, Peli cast Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat as the lead characters. Carrying on without a script or a camera crew, the trio shot the movie in a staggering seven days.
Immediately after completion, "Paranormal" hit a few low-key horror festivals where Peli handed out DVDs of the film for free. It wasn't until 2008, when a copy of "Paranormal" landed onto the desk of Steven Spielberg that the ball really got rolling for Peli.
In mid-September of this year, "Paranormal" was released in a limited number of towns, packing theatres and gaining momentum until it landed at number four at the box office. The very next week, "Paranormal" was catapulted into a nationwide release, proving there is no better advertising tactic than positive word of mouth.
But the real question remains: Is "Paranormal Activity" deserving of this spotlight? The answer is a booming yes.
With the absence of a script, a good amount of credit must go to the actors, who do not seem like they are acting much at all. Featherston and Sloat glided throughout the film, tempering their strong characters with a steady amount of subtlety. With their undeniable chemistry, the duo is simply entertaining to watch.
Filmed exclusively with a handheld camera, Peli utilized a home video feel to transport the audience straight into the film. The camera never leaves the couple's home and is often stationary as the action intensifies, creating a sense of maddening claustrophobia for the viewer to deal with. Not to mention, the anxiety that sets in every night as Katie and Micah tuck into bed.
Honestly, nothing I can write in this small space can do the film justice. "Paranormal Activity" is slow burn horror at it's best. Peli is not bombarding the screen with cheap scares, hoping one will stick. He's forcing you to notice every footstep and every shadow. Never before has a slamming door been so mind-numbingly scary.
Watching the grainy scenes of a defenseless sleeping couple being stalked by an unstoppable malevolent force will change the way you think about horror films and leave you with one question: Do you know what's watching you while you sleep?