It's October, so you know what that means: it's horror film season! And this year, we actually got something good out of it, despite a string of cheap gore-fests that have become so popular in recent years (cough the Saw franchise cough). You've probably been hearing a lot about Paranormal Activity, that low-budget film that looks like it's on its way to out-do The Blair Witch Project, and with good reason: it's terrifying.Paranormal Activity is a documentary-style film revolving around a couple, Micah and Katie, who have been experiencing weird occurrences in their home, so Micah decides to invest in a video camera and see if he can catch any of it on film. He leaves the camera recording in their bedroom while they sleep, as most of the activity seems to take place at night, which at first catches seemingly minor things such as strange sounds and a door moving inexplicably. The couple hire a psychic to come to their home and evaluate the situation, and Katie reveals that she has had similar experiences with the paranormal since she was a child, causing the psychic to suspect that it is not the house that is haunted, but Katie. Tension begins to build between Micah and Katie as they begin to disagree about how the situation should be handled, causing the activity in their home to become stronger and more frequent - even affecting Katie herself. This all leads up to a fairly predictable but still climactic ending that will make you jump.
This film might not sound that scary, especially to those skeptical of the paranormal, but Paranormal Activity taps into very real fears such as the vulnerability of being asleep and a force that is both invisible and uncontrollable. The film's subtlety and smart use of suspense also strengthen it and make it all the more chilling. Just be warned: you might start thinking a little more about those weird sounds your house makes late at night.
