Thanks to the inaugural Hello, Darkness Horror Film festival here in Melbourne – the film I was looking forward to oh so recently (and thinking I had to wait til December) opened up the festival. I had to go!

Well, Paranormal Activity certainly lived up and exceeded expectations. Even as the film progressed, I wondered just how I would even write the review – because much like District 9 the film’s power lies predominantly in its surprises. I can say definitively that this is not a case where all the best parts appear in the trailer (Tropic Thunder, I’m looking at you).
Firstly, I think this will be another Blair Witch Project/Cloverfield love-or-hate type movie. You’ll either absolutely appreciate it and its eery subtlety, or you will think nothing happened and be bored.

The film unfolds through the night vision of live-in couple Katie & Micah’s camera turned on overnight, in hopes of documenting the strange noises and so forth that Katie feels she is experiencing. Whilst I won’t go into any of what eventuates (and maybe I couldn’t tell you as I was watching it mostly through the gaps between my fingers as I held my hands over my eyes for protection) its the moments between Katie and Micah (played by Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat) that make the viewers relate to them even more – Micah wanting to use the camera for nefarious means, trying to communicate to the spirit cheekily and the way that Katie would simply roll her eyes at Micah’s early theories of what it could be, both trying to come to a compromise and stay as calm in light of an unknown adversary. Of course you’d want it to be kids next door, tapping on the door, or just messing with them. You’d want it to be that.

I think Paranormal Activity’s biggest strength is not just in the escalating ‘paranormal activity’ that unfolds in Micah and Katie’s house, but in the way their absolutely believable chemistry between the two of them, conveying the increasing fear felt throughout each event and bump in the night. It even seems to strange to call them characters as it seems even more raw than the Blair Witch Project’s characters were out in the wild. This is a fly-on-the-wall documentary style look at approximately 3 weeks in the private life of a young couple, trying to figure out if there is a genuine haunting happening, or if its just hooligan kids next door.

Whilst this film is more subtle than most would expect – don’t bother waiting for a high-pitched violin shriek, shower scenes, scary mirror reflection scenes, or a ghost in a white sheet (okay, so maybe you wouldn’t expect that) Paranormal Activity immerses you in their experience much more – due to how relatable Katie and Micah are as characters. I definitely didn’t want to go home to an empty house after watching this film – and the fact that the mysterious happenings occur when the couple are sleeping; well, that doesn’t inspire much comfort before switching the lights out! Also – though I thought I would in my teaser post here I am pleased to announce I was not responsible for shrieking in the cinema! Go me!

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