I am not going to tell you about ‘Paranormal Activity’

This is one of those films about which it is best to know nothing in advance. If complete ignorance is not feasible (one knows after all that one is going to see a movie), it were better not to know that it is both genuinely scary and altogether unfamiliar in texture. To be told in advance that a movie is eerie is a reliable recipe for disappointment, so I won't tell you that.

Instead I will tell you something about my house tonight, something that was true only after I returned from the theater. There are a lot more shadows in each room than I remember, and the sound of the dryer balls tumbling in a machine downstairs seems, dare I say it, vaguely malevolent. The fact that, no matter where I stand or in what direction I look, I can't see around corners or down darkened halls or behind me, is something that I am acutely aware at this moment. I will also tell you that, years ago, I forbade my adolescent daughter to play with an Ouija board. I am suddenly very glad that I did so. Nothing in what I have said should be taken as any indication of what you will experience should you go to see Paranormal Activity.

Since I am not going to tell you anything about this movie, I will write instead about a certain sub-genre of horror that has been popular of late: the single shaky camera film. The Blair Witch Project (a film undone by rumors of eeriness, if ever there was one) probably gave birth to the genre. It has recently been employed in two much better productions: Cloverfield, and Quarantine. In each movie, what you see on the screen is presented as a recording made on a single video camera, carried by one or more of the characters.

It is not hard to see why this device is irresistible to directors. It puts the camera and with it the viewer right into the action, producing a visceral sense of reality. At the same time, it narrows the focus of the viewer in ways that heighten a natural sense of alarm. You, the viewer, can only see what the camera is pointed at, but you constantly sense that something you desperately need to see may be going on just outside your view. In each of the three films just mentioned, the fact that the characters are filming what happens is merely incidental to the action. But what if the fact that a horror is being filmed is itself part of the horror? Something there may be that doesn't like a digital camera. Just a thought.

The shaky camera film does have its problems. It's hard to imagine that someone running like Hell from a giant monster, or zombies, or the Blair Witch, would bother to keep filming. Unless, perhaps, the obsessive filming was an expression of the very character flaw that opens the door to some unspeakable evil. That's just more idle speculation.

I have scrupulously avoided telling you anything about Paranormal Activity. I won't spoil anything now by telling you that you should see this movie. I will tell you to take a good look and listen before you leave your home for the theater. It might not seem quite the same when you return.

Comments

[Orion]

Holy Shhhhh cow! My wife and I are from Atlanta and we saw this movie tonight. She will not go to sleep or walk through the house without me. She covered her eyes more than 1 time and almost walked out of the movie. I DO NOT get scared easily and found myself almost not wanting to watch in fear of whats going to happen when the lights go out. As far as scary.... I've never seen a haunting movie as scary as this one. Great job by the director.

[KB]

My sentiments as well, Orion. Or they would be my sentiments if I was saying anything about the movie.

[raquel]

Oh my god! I've never been able to find a horror film to scare me and to keep me from going to the bathroom without my boyfriend being outside the door! Everywhere I go I have to have jimmy with me. Hint: he's with me right now as I'm typing this. I am still in shock, i don't know if its real or not... there were a couple of times where i closed my eyes or grabbed jimmy/blanket. Warning: even people who never or mostly do not get scared from horror films get scared and do not sleep alone or go to bed at all after seeing "Paranormal Activity."

[camel]

This was by far the WORST movie I've ever seen in my life!!! Not the slightest bit scary.

[KB]

Well, Camel, the magic doesn't work on everyone. You are in the minority. Without saying anything about PA, I second Raquel's advisory. One more note to Orion: was it wise to take your wife to this movie? My wife would have dissolved into her molecular components.

[morgan]

I agree with Camel, this was a total waste of time and money. For years I have said "The island of Dr. Moreau" was the worst movie of all time, I think this one has surpassed it. Had it not ended when it did I would have walked out after a few more minutes. I don't know about being in the minority, there were about 30 people in the theater and most seemed to be grumbling about what a rip off. The only thing I give it ups for is the whole viral marketing aspect, great job of sucking us in with that!

[KB]

Morgan: see my comment on Camel's post. What is scary is very much a matter of personality. No movie moves everyone in the audience. This movie moved most of its audience.

[Hyunsook]

things that i LOVED1. ill jump off buildings! Nah to daneurogs2. ill help my community by recycling! Nah to homo.3.6 days? who is this? your worst nightmare. MOM?? no u idiot!4. i hope i have my fav unicorn dream!! i couldnt sleep cause i keep having this weird unicorn dream. yeah thats umm weirdawesome vid The Flame your vids are off the hook 5/5 .Plz add me on club penguin sometimes on mammoth, alphine, ice burg, and yeti im usally am at the cove or town or HQ so addme im Awesome29211