Paranormal Activity

Paranormal Activity- A

I feel the need to say at the outset of this review that I am a horror movie freak. I eat up the goriest slasher flicks and most disturbing psychological thrillers with great enthusiasm, sometimes even laughing out loud at the fate of the main characters. That being said, this film gave me chills that I haven’t experienced since I was 11 years old seeing the theatrical re-release of “The Exorcist.” The film revolves around a young couple, Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat), as they attempt to document strange happenings in their home.

Watching this film brings back the fear one feels as a child, staring into the dark waiting for some horrible nameless thing which you cannot see, but know to your core is there. It moves slowly, interspersing the mundane with unsettling sounds and images which build suspense for the viewer until the horrifying conclusion. By far the most chilling are the changes you see in Katie as the film progresses. As you watch the movie you feel as if you are right there with the characters, experiencing the strange phenomena as they do. The characters’ gradual progression into terror and despair drags you right down with them.

For all I have said about what you do see in this movie, it has re-captured what has long been missing in big-budget horror films over the years: What truly frightens a person the most is what they don’t see.

The writer/director Oren Peli has hit a home run with this film. I was shocked to hear it was his debut, and I have high hopes for his next project, “Area 51.” Glad to hear you quit your day job Oren, don’t let us down!

I’m going to go crawl under the covers with all the lights on now.