Paranormal Activity

Movie review by Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media
Paranormal Activity Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 16+

Indie scare fest doesn't need blood and gore to terrify.

R 2009 99 minutes
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 48 reviews

Kids say

age 13+

Based on 193 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Paranormal Activity is a real chill-up-the-spine movie that's bound to induce nightmares in plenty of young moviegoers -- even though, as with The Blair Witch Project, the big buzz around the movie (and the prospect of testing their backbone) will likely prove irresistible to many teens. The movie takes its cues from many classic horror films in that it only suggests the scary stuff rather than actually showing explicit gore and violence -- but in leaving much to the viewer's imagination, the effect is much, much more psychologically terrifying than any regular blood-fest. Expect frequent strong language (including multiple uses of "f--k" and "s--t") and some sex talk.

Community Reviews

Th3Black
Th3Black Adult
October 26, 2021
age 14+

Absolutely Fascinating Film

NOT a horror movie fan, but this movie was just a treat. SO well done; so unusual; and so understated. It wasn't really scary to the point of being disturbing; but it was subtle and well-written enough to almost be believable. The handheld filming was brilliant. It seems like the actors don't even have set lines sometimes--they just talk over each other like we do in real life. There are unknowns in the film that never get answered, but that's just mystery, not weakness. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes a good thriller.
Aaron C.
Aaron C. Adult
June 23, 2020
age 16+

Scary

Paranormal activity proves that one doesn't need gore & gross imagery to produce solid scares.

This title has:

Too much swearing
See all 48 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, Micah (Micah Sloat) brings home a deluxe video camera and starts filming himself and his girlfriend Katie (Katie Featherston) in their large San Diego house. It seems that unseen forces have been terrifying them while they sleep, and Micah hopes to gather evidence. A psychic (Michael Bayouth) warns them that the trouble is probably caused by a demon -- one specifically targeting Katie -- and that they need professional help. But Micah wants to keep filming and work the problem out by themselves. Unfortunately, the disturbances begin to grow more and more alarming.

Is It Any Good?

Made for a very low budget and with minimal actors and settings, this is an effective horror movie that's more dependent on ideas than on spectacle or gore. Like horror classics ranging from Cat People (1942) to The Haunting (1963) to The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity suggests its terrors rather than explicitly showing them, which leaves far more to the imagination -- and sends more genuine chills up the spine.

The well-paced daytime scenes are comparatively relaxing as Micah and Katie try to figure out their dilemma, but the nighttime scenes offer something spookier. The couple sleeps in a static wide shot; the bed, the doorway, and part of a hallway are visible. The scary part can be a sound or an image, but it can originate from anywhere within the frame; the movie always keeps viewers off guard. Some of the characters' behavior can grate, but that's a minor quibble in an otherwise satisfying, terrifying experience.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the concept of random violence in Paranormal Activity , as in the demon's seemingly meaningless attacks on Katie. What would cause someone or something to strike out without a reason? How would this make a person feel?

  • How scary was the movie? What scared you most, and why? How did you feel about being scared?

  • What would be the effect of constantly filming your life?

Movie Details

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