It’s October, and scary movies are all the rage. Being given choices of a haunted house or a haunted film on a Friday night, I chose the movie and caught the recently released “Paranormal Activity” on Friday night. The film, which centers on a couple (Micah and Katie) who believe their house is occupied by evil spirits, is being hailed as “the scariest movie ever” and takes “The Blair Witch Project” approach, meaning that the actors operate the cameras, and everything looks basically like a home movie. The film was written and directed by the Israeli-born Oren Peli, who got the idea for the film after noticing weird noises in his own home a few years ago, and used that same home to shoot the film over seven days. The result is a subdued flick that lacks any real over the top moments, yet leaves viewers with lasting and creepy images.
The theater was absolutely packed, and apparently provided a lot of people with their first movie-going experience. I’m only assuming that because tons of them would not shut up. I feel that I’m fairly tolerant of people talking during movies, but this was ridiculous. My annonyance level continued to peek as high school aged girls throughout the theater screamed at every little thing, and one John Madden inspired youngin decided that the movie needed it’s own play-by-play, which she provided ad nausea. “The lights turned on” she profoundly stated after, you guessed it, lights flickered on and off in the house. “The door closed,” and “he’s going upstairs” were other examples of her awesmazing color analysis. This was also coupled with two idiots who decided that bringing a baby to an 11 o’clock horror film was a good idea both for their children as well as the rest of the audience that paid $11 to see the movie. Their baby’s cries were met with responses of “go home,” and “it’s 11PM.” All of this made me remember why I don’t like going to the movies very much, and also lose faith in the youth of our city…
Putting the background noise aside, “Paranormal Activity” is understated at best. It does not rely on crazy special effects, blood, or drama. In fact, much of its effect comes from doing nothing when the audience expects something. The film builds over time, and lures the audience in through cryptic details into the couple’s past, hinting at what’s really going on, but not really divulging anything. We know that weird s**t is happening while they sleep, and we come to learn that it’s not the house that is haunted, but the film’s leading lady, Katie, who has been troubled with a demon since the age of 8. The couple’s curiousity to figure out what is going on and why, as well as the effects it has on their relationship drive the film, and I found myself more interested in the psychology and back history than anything else. The film saves it’s biggest punch for the end, and leaves the audience wanting more, or at least more of an explanation. I’d go into more detail, but don’t want to ruin the movie for those who have not seen it. No, it’s not the scariest movie ever, but its chilling ending will have you sleeping with the lights on for a day or two.