Paranormal Activity

3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (543 customer reviews)
After a young, middle class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban "starter" tract house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially when they sleep. Or try to.
  • Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat
  • Directed by: Oren Peli
  • Runtime: 1 hour 26 minutes
  • Release year: 2009
  • Studio: Paramount
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Paranormal Activity

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Product Details
Synopsis: After a young, middle class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban "starter" tract house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially when they sleep. Or try to.
Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat
Supporting actors: Mark Fredrichs, Amber Armstrong
Directed by: Oren Peli
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Runtime: 1 hour 26 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 2009
Studio: Paramount
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language
ASIN: B003204MQS
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 48 hour viewing period. Due to licensing restrictions, this title expires Jun 29, 9:00 PM PDT. Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: October 16, 2009
  • MPAA: Rated R for language
  • Production Company: Blumhouse Productions
  • Filming Locations: San Diego, California, USA | California, USA | USA | Bavarian Drive, Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego, California, USA

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Customer Reviews

3.1 out of 5 stars
(543)
3.1 out of 5 stars
See all 543 customer reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
277 of 322 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Be Prepared To Use Your Imagination November 26, 2009
By James Morris
Format:DVD
A well-written review of any film should never label its subject "good" or "bad". Rather, it should give you an idea of whether or not you can expect to enjoy it, based on your own preferences and expectations. Paranormal Activity is a particularly controversial film when it comes to the potency of its terror. Most reviews either complain, with great disdain, "I hated it - it wasn't scary at all" or exclaim in total satisfaction, "It scared the pants off me - I loved it". There seems to be little in-between.

I saw the film today, having read enough reviews to know pretty much what to expect. But before I reveal my own reaction to Paranormal Activity, I would like to offer a few ideas that those who know little about this film may find helpful.

Alfred Hitchcock, the celebrated director who was known as "The Master of Suspense" held many interesting theories about what frightens an audience. Hitchcock believed that, when properly stimulated, the viewer's imagination was far more powerful - and far scarier - than many direct images that may or may not frighten the average viewer. Directly depicting a ghost, a monster or a demon for example, even with today's special effects, may scare many viewers, but that will depend solely on the quality of the effects. And even if well done, many viewers may find the images unconvincing or downright laughable, for they may have other ideas about what a ghost, monster or demon should look like.

However, if the filmmaker merely implies that a supernatural event is taking place, and sets up the situation with enough skill, the viewer's imagination can take over and sometimes yield a far more frightening experience than any vivid imagery ever will.... Read more ›
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Good Scary Movie - Rent, Don't Buy October 9, 2011
By D.L.
Format:Blu-ray
Paranormal Activity is a film about a couple, Katie and Micah, and their experience being haunted by a demon. Although the film starts off slowly as the plot is sketched out, about a third of the way into the film (when you start witnessing the paranormal activity for yourself) you are drawn into the film and can really enjoy it. The film is based on the "found footage" premise made famous my The Blair Witch Project. The viewer is told that this is a true story at the beginning, which adds to you caring about the characters and events in the film. The film is legitimately scary with a terrific ending...if you can get past the 30 minute mark you will enjoy it, but if you have a short attention span or need a whole lot of action, then avoid this movie - it's a character centric movie rather than action or special effects focused.

While I enjoyed the movie, the extras were simply non-existant. The only extra was an alternate ending. This film could have used a commentary as the story behind the film is exceptional. The director used his own home for the film, the actors were paid only $500, one of the actors was actually the cameraman, and the film is one of the most profitable films of all time. It would have been interesting to hear how the director came up with the idea, what led him to utilize the found footage premise, and how the minimal special effects were done.

I recommend that anyone interested in scary movies watch this - it's better at night curled up in bed, since most of the action takes place late at night in the couple's bedroom - but it is not a must own since there are no extras to make it a worthwhile purchase.
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16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Paranormal Activity Review December 16, 2009
By Craig Whittle
Format:Blu-ray
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

STARRING: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat and Mark Fredrichs

WRITTEN BY: Oren Peli

DIRECTED BY: Oren Peli

Rated: R
Genre: Horror
Release Date: 16 October 2009

Several movie advertisements have used this line for years and I have never found it to be even remotely true until now; so I'm going to use it: Paranormal Activity is the scariest film since The Exorcist. There, I've finally been able to use it!

Now that I have your attention, let me save half of you the three minutes that it will take you to finish reading this review and the roughly 90 it'll save you from actually watching the film. If you hated The Blair Witch Project because you thought it was stupid, then you will inevitably despise this film as well. There. See how nice of a guy I am? Now you can spend those 90 minutes doing something you enjoy.

For those of you still reading, I will take it that you appreciated the brilliant and unique style of The Blair Witch Project, as did I. You will most likely love this film as well.

The Blair Witch Project clearly inspired this film, as it has others and was a slightly better film. But Paranormal Activity is easily 10 times more frightening.

I'm told its entire budget was just 15 thousand dollars and it has already grossed over 100 million dollars at the box office.

NO; regardless of what you have heard, the film is not real. Neither was The Blair Witch Project or Quarantine or The Fourth Kind.

The film looks and feels real though, and that's why it's so terrifying. We are lead to believe that it is `found footage' by the police and that for whatever reason, they are allowing it to be released in theaters nation-wide.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars Good one!
This is a very nice movie. Simple and ingenious concept of Mystery and Horror that keeps the viewer engaged and alert throughout the film.
Published 1 day ago by Yographic
5.0 out of 5 stars Scarey...........slept with the lights on!
I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the acting and directing of this low budget film. The series is great and I enjoyed each of them.
Published 4 days ago by Sherri
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Movie...But Not Scary
They say that this movie is "absolutly terrifying" "prapare for nightly scares" and so on and so forth. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Jacob Williams
3.0 out of 5 stars Rally scary.
The story seems to go very slowly -- but the time-lapse sequences build step-by-step real horror. The included alternative ending is too ghastly for words.
Published 27 days ago by Ross McMullen
2.0 out of 5 stars overrated and dumb
stupid story about the Devil wasting it's time and bothering to play some weak silly games with a couple. A movie like Exorcist 3 blows this out of the water. Read more
Published 1 month ago by SkinChanger2
5.0 out of 5 stars How can you not give this a 5-star review?
I watch a lot of movies, and as such, thought that I had seen most set-ups and plots. Not so with this surprising indie-gem, with the unforgettable ending. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lorena Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars cheap thrills
Hey... you've got to give it to these filmmakers. They did it. This movie scared people without spending tons of money or doing crazy gags. It's simple, effective suspense. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Blue32
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't sleep for days!
Excellent movie. I felt that they weren't acting but it was actually happening to them! I had to watch it during the day!
Published 1 month ago by Anaida Gutierrez
3.0 out of 5 stars Slightly Dissapointed...
Since there's so much hype about this movie, I decided to finally buy and watch it. I thought it was for the most part creepy at times. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sorrow4Ever
4.0 out of 5 stars The unknown is scary
I've seen a few scary movies, and this is the only one that actually scared me. Maybe I found this movie to be scary because I fear the unknown. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bryce Middleton
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