Paranormal Activity (2007)

Paranormal Activity (2007), directed by Oren Peli, is a low-budget supernatural horror film that sparked a wave of found-footage horror films. Using a simple setup and naturalistic acting, the movie delivers creeping dread rather than flashy gore or visual effects. Shot over a week with a budget of just $15,000, it became a sleeper hit and a cultural phenomenon thanks to its viral marketing and terrifying realism.

Detailed Summary

The Setup: A Couple Haunted

The movie revolves around Katie and Micah, a young couple living in a San Diego suburban home. Katie believes a supernatural presence has followed her since childhood. In response, Micah buys a video camera to document the strange happenings. The entire film is presented through this found footage style, giving it an immersive, voyeuristic quality.

Escalating Disturbances

Initially, the disturbances are minor: doors creaking open, footsteps in the night, and light flickers. But as nights progress, the events grow more aggressive. Katie seems increasingly disturbed, sleepwalking and staring at Micah for hours while he sleeps.

They bring in a psychic, Dr. Fredrichs, who confirms that the presence is likely demonic, not ghostly. He warns that antagonizing it—like using Ouija boards or provoking it—could make things worse. Naturally, Micah does exactly that.

The Ouija Board Incident

One of the turning points occurs when Micah secretly uses a Ouija board while Katie is out. Though they leave the room before the board moves, the camera captures it mysteriously catching fire. Katie becomes furious when she finds out, and the entity begins acting even more violently afterward.

Katie’s Possession

Katie becomes increasingly erratic and exhausted. The demon starts dragging her out of bed, leaving bite marks on her, and even slamming doors violently. At one point, she stands motionless by the bed for hours, clearly under some kind of influence.

As things spiral, the psychic returns but refuses to stay, saying the demonic energy is too strong and he can’t help them. Micah, determined to solve the problem himself, refuses to leave the house despite Katie begging to go.

Movie Ending

In the film’s final night (marked “Night #21”), the story reaches its terrifying climax. The camera captures Katie getting up in the middle of the night. She stares at Micah sleeping for several hours, then walks downstairs. A long silence is followed by Katie screaming his name. Micah rushes downstairs, and a struggle is heard off-screen.

Moments later, silence.

Suddenly, Micah’s body is hurled at the camera, smashing it to the floor. Katie then appears, standing eerily in the doorway. She slowly crawls toward the camera, her face contorting into a demonic expression just before lunging at the viewer.

The screen cuts to black.

Title cards appear explaining that Micah’s body was discovered by police days later, and Katie’s whereabouts remain unknown.

This chilling final act solidifies the demon’s complete takeover of Katie, and the absence of any escape. The abrupt ending leaves viewers haunted by what they didn’t see as much as what they did.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in the theatrical release of Paranormal Activity. However, different versions of the film exist with alternate endings, including one that was screened at festivals and another included in home media releases. More on that below.

Type of Movie

Paranormal Activity is a supernatural horror film, specifically a found-footage movie. Its realism, minimalistic approach, and slow-burn horror style place it in the same category as The Blair Witch Project.

Cast

• Katie Featherston as Katie
• Micah Sloat as Micah
• Mark Fredrichs as the Psychic

Both leads were non-professional actors at the time, which helped enhance the realism of the film.

Film Music and Composer

There is no traditional score. All sound is diegetic, meaning it comes from within the world of the film. This was a deliberate choice to maintain the realism of the “home video” concept. However, subtle sound design plays a huge role in building tension—creaks, low-frequency hums, and silence are used to unsettling effect.

Filming Locations

• San Diego, California, in director Oren Peli’s own house, which saved on production costs.
• The house itself is central to the film—its layout, with a hallway, stairs, and open bedroom, contributes to the claustrophobia and anticipation. The static camera setups give viewers the eerie feeling of watching a live feed.

Awards and Nominations

• Best First Feature nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards
• Multiple wins at horror film festivals
• Named one of the Top 10 Scariest Movies of All Time by numerous media outlets

Though not a big awards contender, its cultural impact and box office success were massive.

Behind the Scenes Insights

• The actors were given no script, just a rough outline. All dialogue was improvised.
• The film was shot in 7 days.
• The ending was changed after Steven Spielberg saw the original cut and suggested a more shocking finale.
• Peli used his own camera equipment and edited the film himself.
• The budget was so small that the bedroom TV was borrowed from a friend.

Inspirations and References

• Inspired by ghost stories and haunted house tales.
• The found-footage style was influenced by The Blair Witch Project.
• Oren Peli was inspired by things that scared him personally—especially the idea of being vulnerable while sleeping.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are three known endings:

1. Theatrical Ending (most famous): Micah is thrown at the camera; Katie lunges at it.
2. Original Ending: Katie is found sitting by the bed for days. Police arrive and shoot her.
3. Alternate Ending: Katie slits her own throat in front of the camera.

Each ending changes the tone and interpretation of the demon’s possession and Katie’s fate.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Paranormal Activity is not based on a book, though its style influenced and was later influenced by similar horror literature and novelizations.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• Katie staring at Micah for hours while he sleeps.
• The footprints in the baby powder—non-human, three-toed.
• The door slowly moving on its own.
• The final night, ending with Micah’s death.

Iconic Quotes

• “You cannot run from this; it will follow you.”
• “I don’t care what the psychic says, I’m not leaving this house.”
• “This is not a ghost. It’s a demon.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• The camera’s clock becomes a source of tension. The faster it speeds up, the more likely something is about to happen.
• The lack of a musical score is itself a hidden feature that conditions viewers to expect silence, then sudden chaos.
• Katie mentions a childhood haunting—later expanded in Paranormal Activity 3.

Trivia

• The film grossed over $193 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable films ever made.
• Spielberg allegedly took the DVD home and was so scared, he returned it the next day in a garbage bag.
• The studio originally wanted to remake the film with a bigger budget, but test audiences loved the original.
• The cast stayed in character even when not filming to keep the mood authentic.

Why Watch?

Watch Paranormal Activity if you love slow-burning horror that thrives on atmosphere rather than gore. It’s a masterclass in how minimalism can create terror, and it taps into primal fears—like being watched while you sleep. It also launched an entire franchise, making it essential viewing for horror fans.

Director’s Other Movies

• Area 51 (2015)
• Produced films like:
  • Insidious (2010)
  • Chernobyl Diaries (2012)
  • The Bay (2012)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Blair Witch Project (1999)
• Insidious (2010)
• The Conjuring (2013)
• Sinister (2012)
• Lake Mungo (2008)
• The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)