Thanks to a wildly successful (and highly unorthodox) marketing campaign and near universal acclaim, horror flick 'Paranormal Activity' is probably the hottest ticket in your town. The low-budget film -- it cost a mere $11,000 for a seven-day shoot -- was first released only in college towns, then slowly rolled out to additional markets based on an online audience demand campaign. Last weekend 'Paranormal' took in an astounding $49,379 per screen, earning $7.9 million for the weekend (compare that with the massively marketed 'Couples Retreat,' which cost Universal $60 million to make and earned $34.3 mil on 3,000 screens, making a less impressive $11,429 per screen).Based on the success so far, Paramount has decided to take 'Paranormal' nationwide this weekend. So, should you believe the hype? Well, it's been haunting me ever since I saw it a week ago -- I'm still sleeping with all the lights on (and forcing my poor husband to escort me into the basement to do laundry), so I'm going to have to answer that question with a big YES. This is the rare scary movie that actually gets under your skin, and stays there long after the theater lights come up. And it's quite simply the most effective haunted-house movie I've ever seen.
The film follows a young couple (Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat) who set up a video camera in their bedroom to capture events they believe to be otherworldly. What unfolds after that is chilling, thrilling and just downright creepy. You see just enough of the couple's mundane daily activities -- brushing teeth, reading, eating -- that you forget at times that it's scripted and, by the end of the movie, you're convinced this couple really is documenting a true-life haunting.
Unlike today's major horror franchises, the real element of fear here is inspired not by flesh-and-bone bad guys, monsters or threat of bodily harm -- it's the fear of the unknown, the unseen. It's the things that go bump late at night while you clutch your partner in bed or bolt upright from a dead sleep because you're convinced there's a shadowy figure standing at the foot of your bed. Some of the moments in the film that elicit the loudest screams in the theater are the quietest on screen.
But don't take my word for it. Sure, I may be just be a scaredy cat (well, yes, I am, actually). But critics and moviegoers share my enthusiasm for 'Paranormal Activity.' Owen Gleiberman at Entertainment Weekly called it "freaky and terrifying," while Betsy Sharkey of the L.A. Times wrote, "There will be a very tight coil of anxiety buried deep in your gut that is very hard to get rid of." And -- now this may be the real shocker here -- critics and fans seem to be in agreement on this flick. Read on to discover what some of the Moviefone readers who've seen the movie have to say.
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the next 'Blair Witch Project'?
See which cities demanded 'Paranormal Activity' the most
"For those who haven't seen the film, I can assure you that you have no idea what's in store. I am not easily frightened, and I have never been scared by a movie to the point of not being able to sleep ... After watching 'Paranormal Activity' I did not fall asleep until 5am. In my opinion, it was THAT scary. I am still a bit shaken, and I left the theater practically in tears. It is worth going to see -- trust me, you will not be disappointed!" -- Ashley
"I am a film major and a true horror film enthusiast, and nothing has left me tossing and turning in bed like this film did. The film has you on the edge of your seat and biting your nails the whole time. People next to me had their eyes shut half the time, and I witnessed an audience viewer yell out, 'You're on your own! This s*** is crazy!' before he left the theater halfway through the film. Truly a fun experience if you love a thrill." -- Mary
"I'm a pretty tough and manly guy, but watching this movie was one of the scariest experiences of my life. I was glad that people were around me when the movie ended because I needed to feel safe! I was 'that guy' who screamed like a little girl and then started cussing at the movie to try and regain my manhood. Definitely a must-see movie!" -- Brett
"No joke, scariest movie I have ever seen. Ran from car to my front door and slept with all the lights on. You will love it ... You will remember it every time you hear a noise you can't explain." -- Aricela
"I went and saw the movie last night in Seattle, Wash. I'm 33 years old and have seen every new and old horror movie made, and this movie by far was the scariest thing I ever seen. My hubby doesn't believe in ghosts, but even he couldn't fall asleep last night, and today I am still terrified. Best scary movie by far. My favorite was 'The Exorcist' until now." -- Brandi
"I went to go see this movie with some friends ... one of the girls seriously didn't sleep for a week after watching this movie." -- Juan
Reader Comments (2486)
ayjay at 6:13PM on Oct 14th 2009
i went and saw it the other day with my aunt and i havent slept good since...
she thinks its rigged, like that blair witch project, but i keep thinking it's real..
Master Shake at 1:10AM on Oct 15th 2009
Read through the comments and there are ONLY two types of posts - that it sucked, or that it was great (which are obviously shills working for the film writing this stuff to hype the movie). You know, for the millions of dollars they are making, they can hire half a dozen people to say the film was great all over the web. Look carefully at the positive comments, and you will see some similarity. I don't want to point out exactly what, or they'll fix it. But the positive comments are 99% FAKE.
Joe at 2:44AM on Oct 15th 2009
So every person that thinks the movie is scary that posts about it is a plant? Then apparently so is nearly every critic that has reviewed the film, because they all say the same thing.I was in a theater of screaming men and women, myself included. People who don't think this movie is scary are in the minority.
Rachele at 2:44AM on Oct 15th 2009
this movie seriously makes your heart race so fast for hours after you leave the theater. thinking about it now makes my chest heavy! by far the best movie this year and the scariest of all time. who ever thought of this was true genius! and btw i so did NOT get paid to say that
Ashley Perrone at 3:59AM on Oct 15th 2009
I am not fake and I saw the movie when it came to aventura in miami and it was freaky and awesome!!! I am a paranormal investigator and I have seen some freaky stuff and I have always been able to sleep fine after investigations but this movie scared the piss out of me. just to see the progression that simple things like doors closing or bangs here there can progress to what they did scared me. i have seen those things and i think knowing what could happen by messing with things scared me the most. GO SEE FOR YOURSELF ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE OR WAIT FOR THE DVD BUT DEF SEE IT!!!
: ) HAPPY HAUNTINGS - ASHLEY MARIE PERRONE
Master Shake at 4:42AM on Oct 15th 2009
Notice how fast they are on top of negative comments - and how they constantly tell you to go see the movie. I encourage people to read through MORE REVIEWS BELOW - see what REAL people had to say about this being boring and lame. One guy wrote he found himself looking at his watch to know when it would finally be over. Another sat in the theater playing a video game on his cell phone, because he was bored out of his mind.
Rae at 7:55AM on Oct 15th 2009
Ahh marketing - it's a wonderful thing!!
Metalbabe at 9:56AM on Oct 15th 2009
I agree that this movie is pretty frightening. However, it is most definitely NOT REAL. ESPECIALLY the ending. It literally is not possible to make the face that she makes. Period. (I was actually really disappointed in the ending because of how fake it was).
Now, I have studied many cases where a so-called 'demon' is attached to or haunting a human, but there has never been anything documented that's really even close to what goes on in this movie.
Don't get me wrong, I really liked the movie! It was pretty freaky and definitely frightening, but it's something you have to approach logically. I was able to sleep just fine and still am because I know this movie is not real, and I even believe that this type of thing (souls, ghosts, posessions, energy-based entities, etc.) IS possible and CAN exist. BUT...
THIS movie just IS NOT REAL. And if you're disappointed, I'm sorry. But hopefully it'll just help you sleep better at night.
Chris at 9:57AM on Oct 15th 2009
Hate to break it to you, Master Bater, but I have seen plenty of reviews that are middle of the road. It's also quite possible for a movie to be this polarizing. Most people are so conditioned to respond to only excessive gore and bathroom humor and gratuitous sex that they cannot appreciate the subtle psychological horror on screen aided by their own imagination. I liked the movie. I have my gripes with it, particularly the ending, but all in all it's a well-executed film. It will definitely stay with someone longer than something lame like "The Grudge" or any of the remakes floating around today.
Melissa at 10:36AM on Oct 15th 2009
Master shake is right though... read through the rest of the comments... they all say that the movie sucked and wasn't scary at all... people were walking out cause it was so boring and the people who stayed were either laughing or mad because they wasted there money...
Vic at 11:24AM on Oct 15th 2009
I agree with Master Shake. I am specifically referring to the poster that referred to Master Shake as Master Bater. I don't understand why if you are simply a viewer of the movie, why you get so defensive of the film to the point of childish name calling. It seems Master Shake's comments hit home a bit too hard, which in my opinion validates Master Shake's point. This is an opinion by Master Shake, yet the need is felt by many to become defensive. I guess what I'm saying is if I like a movie and someone else doesn't, I don't care either way. On the other hand, if I am being paid to make people want to see the movie and someone is jeopardizing my potential income, I may get a bit defensive. All these comments are only proving Master Shake's point. Thanks for making it clear to me that I do NOT want to see this movie, in theaters or on DVD.
q at 11:30AM on Oct 15th 2009
Why even listen to some guy that's trying to be a bully and prove his man-hood by putting down a movie experience (really? That's like getting mad at the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus)? This is obviously the sort of guy that goes on a roller-coaster saying it's nothing, then gets off with his eyes watering and body shaking, cursing it like nothing happened.
If you're open to the experience, you'll enjoy it and honestly have your mind screwed with. If you go into it being sarcastic and resistant to being scared like everyone else in the room, then of course you'll be disappointed. And who is this guy to say who is or isn't a plant?
If you live in a metro area where this movie was recently released, then you are bound to know SOMEONE that saw the movie this weekend. And I have to tell you, from what I saw from my friends on Twitter and Facebook, they were freaked out of their minds this weekend because of this movie. Ask your friends, put up a Facebook status, check out the tweets about #paranormalactivity and you'll see plenty of REAL comments.
Mary at 11:35AM on Oct 15th 2009
Blair Witch stunk and fake, this is probably the same.
Mr.FTW at 12:17PM on Oct 15th 2009
Master Shake, have you seen the movie? It is not boring at all. It's fun, exciting and scary. There will be people who don't like this movie but it all depend on your mind set. If you go in thinking its dumb or with an attidute like "I don't believe in this crap" then yeah, you will probably be bored because you won't invest anything into the movie. Paranormal Activity is hands down one of the scariest movies I've seen and it's all because of the tension and dread that it builds and I've never been in a movie where the entire audience reacts like this one. If it's not your thing that fine but you might want to give it a chance.
Jack at 12:27PM on Oct 15th 2009
This movie MADE ME SICK! Way too much camera movement. Everybody I was with were closing thei eyes or turning away because they were getting sick as well. Not because it was scarey. A lot of waiting for something to happen and disappointment when not much did. I was even trying to get into it and be scared, but too many people were laughing at it, rather then screaming. Screaming? Really? Anyone scared at this movie must have been on drugs!
Holly at 12:28PM on Oct 15th 2009
They said from the very beginning it's scripted an not real. So get some sleep.
badlands12 at 12:34PM on Oct 15th 2009
Leave it to these idiots to knock one of the best horror movies in years. As a film buff, this is the horror film I've been waiting for for a long time. The only people who won't like this movie are probably fans of horrible movies like the Saw franchise and are incapable of recognizing real suspense.
Maki at 12:45PM on Oct 15th 2009
Master Shakes comments are completely irrelevant. The movie having mostly either very positive or very negative comments does not mean that any of them are fake. It's not some conspiracy to cover up that a hyped up movie was actually bad. There are millions of people out there and not everyone can be expected to respond to a movie the same way. If you thought it was boring ok, so did alot of other people I'm sure. Some are more easily spooked than others. I for one thought the movie was cool, very well made and very chilling, sure I jumped and gasped in the theater like everyone else, but I also slept just fine the same night after I watched it. I didn't find it that traumatizing. If you think positive reviews are outweighing the rest well then good for the movie! It reached alot of people the way it wanted to. As for the rest...well...you can't please everyone out there.
Jack at 12:55PM on Oct 15th 2009
Badlands is an idiot. There was absolutely not horror in this movie at all. The scare in this movie is like walking down a dark hallway, anticipating someone jumping out at every doorway, but they dont until doorway number 8 and then, oh no, someone jumps out and says boo and then what? you probably lose all control and piss your pants. That is not horror!
Rachel at 12:54PM on Oct 15th 2009
It is rigged. The entire film is scripted. There are no claims that this is an actual event.