Paranormal Activity is a remarkable achievement, but ultimately it’s just not scary enough to be considered a horror classic.
4 Comments
12/04/09
Paranormal Activity (2009)
82
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:179
Fresh:146
Rotten:33
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: Using its low-budget effects and mockumentary method to great result, Paranormal Activity turns a simple haunted house story into 90 minutes of relentless suspense.
Theatrical Release:25-11-2009
Synopsis: A haunted house makes no secret of the fact it is not pleased with its new tenants in this independent tale of supernatural horror. Katie (Katie Featherson) and Micah (Micah Sloat) are a... [More]
Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Mark Fredrichs, Amber Armstrong
Director: Oren Peli
Reviews for Paranormal Activity
It never really convinces on the demonic level. Yet it does partly succeed as a relationship movie.
12/04/09
Peli's film revives the honourable tradition of chills-by-suggestion, whereby what we don't see is far scarier than what we do.
12/04/09
If you've spent any amount of time bemoaning the current state of horror films, slagging off Platinum Dunes remakes and mocking the CGI-and-tits tosh that passes for cineplex terror these days, you owe it to yourself to go and see this film.
12/01/09
Its been called the scariest movie of all time. It's certainly not far off. Simple. Effective. Terrifying.
11/27/09
If Paranormal Activity is not quite as scary as the publicity would have us believe, it is at least witty, thought-provoking and —in a woozy, stark sort of way — beautiful.
11/27/09
An Amityville for the YouTube age: potent, primal and genuinely frightening.
11/27/09
Top CriticIt’s this feeling of vulnerability that Peli’s slow-burning supernatural chiller so effectively exploits, fashioning heart-stopping scares out of almost nothing.
11/27/09
Top CriticNot since David Lynch’s Lost Highway has a movie manipulated so skilfully the disturbing power of black screen space and the potential horror hidden within.
11/27/09
Top CriticThis ingenious and often genuinely frightening film is a digital mocu-real nightmare.
11/27/09
Top CriticA conceptually tight and very efficient updating of the classic haunted-house genre.
11/27/09
Top CriticThis is still postmodern horror, but if nothing else Paranormal Activity proves that you don’t need buckets of gore and a tacked on twist to send chills racing down audience spines.
11/27/09
The fear of the unknown and what may lurk in the dark shadows of your own home creates moments that set the heart racing in this subtle, understated little shocker.
11/27/09
Peli makes our identification with the 20something couple so complete, we’re utterly caught up in the escalating terror.
11/27/09
Don't watch it alone or, if you're of a nervous disposition, don't watch it all.
11/27/09
Paranormal Activity trafficks in shadows and shivers yet is more malevolent than a dozen Hostels.
11/27/09
The film is adequately acted by its two young leads, but for this to be terrifying it would need an already hyped-up, excited audience, ready to jump at the smallest thing.
11/27/09
It takes a while to get going, but that only adds to the sheer terror of a horrifying final 20 minutes.
11/27/09
Paranormal Activity shows how little it takes for inventive filmmakers to do a lot.
11/27/09
Paranormal Activity sets out to please, to create a frisson that entertains as much as it scares. That's my kind of horror.
11/27/09
Latest News for Paranormal Activity
January 19, 2010:
Writer, Director Hired for Paranormal Activity Sequel 
The inevitable "Paranormal Activity" sequel is moving forward at Paramount, with the studio hiring a writer (television vet Michael R. Perry) and director ("Saw VI" helmer Kevin... More...
December 28, 2009:
RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: 9 and Paranormal Activity
Now that Christmas has passed, it's time for you to return all those gifts you didn't really want and pick up something special for yourself. And, unfortunately, though we have... More...
December 11, 2009:
Paramount Thinks Small
Inspired by the success of "Paranormal Activity," Paramount is setting aside $1 million annually for "microbudget" films. More...
December 02, 2009:
10 Horrifically Profitable Films
Oren Peli's debut feature 'Paranormal Activity' -- an ingenious horror movie set in a house as a young couple attempt to capture a spectre on camera -- was made on video for a... More...
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