PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (USA/2007/OREN PELI)

Opening with a thank-you to the characters who purportedly provided the footage in the film, Paranormal Activity comprises realistic DV footage shot by young couple Micah and Katie as they try to track down the ghostly entity that has been following Katie all her life. The couple are visited by psychic Dr. Fredrichs, who believes that Katie will never be able to shake off the haunting visions and suggests that they contact a demonologist. Micah becomes dismissive of the whole scenario, which frustrates Katie and becomes the catalyst for some intense arguments, something that Dr. Fredrichs warned would fuel the ghost. Indeed, the couple bear witness to some frightening goings-on, from small objects moving on their own to footsteps and growls. Out of desperation, Micah purchases a Ouija board, an act that is to lead to unpredictable chaos.

The film inevitably invites comparison to the likes of Cloverfield and The Blair Witch Project, and it certainly shares some of those films’ flaws. The shooting style stops being realistic after about ten minutes of nauseating romantic exchanges, and the camerawork suddenly becomes more professional whenever a character has an important line to deliver. One also wonders why, as with Cloverfield, the couple felt the need to film absolutely everything, particularly the moments when the two are simply watching back footage. But all things considered, Paranormal Activity is not a bad film, delivering scares at a sensible pace and subtly surprising the viewer. A recommended watch for those tired of blood-and-guts horror.