Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Indie scare fest doesn't need blood and gore to terrify.
Parents Need to Know
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Paranormal Activity
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 48 parent reviews
Parents say this movie is a mix of thriller and horror, with some finding it subtle and well-crafted, while others deem it boring and ineffective in delivering scares. Although it contains strong language and mild violence, reactions to its scariness vary widely, with some viewers calling it frightening and others claiming it’s not scary at all, often likening it to home videos rather than substantial cinema.
- scare factor varies
- strong language
- not for kids
- mix of thriller
- subtle crafting
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 205 kid 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
- In theaters : September 25, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : December 29, 2009
- Cast : Katie Featherston , Micah Sloat , Michael Bayouth
- Director : Oren Peli
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 99 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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