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{{Short description|2007 film by Oren Peli}} | {{Short description|2007 film by Oren Peli}} | ||
{{About|the 2007 film|the film series|Paranormal Activity (film series)|the phenomena of paranormal activity|paranormal}} | {{About|the 2007 film|the film series|Paranormal Activity (film series)|the phenomena of paranormal activity|paranormal}} | ||
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}} | |||
{{Infobox film | {{Infobox film | ||
| name = Paranormal Activity | | name = Paranormal Activity | ||
| image = Paranormal Activity poster.jpg | | image = Paranormal Activity poster.jpg | ||
| caption = Theatrical release poster |
| caption = Theatrical release poster | ||
| director = ] | | director = ] | ||
| producer = {{Plainlist| | | producer = {{Plainlist| | ||
* ] | * ] | ||
* Oren Peli | * Oren Peli | ||
* Steven Schneider | * ] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| writer = Oren Peli | | writer = Oren Peli | ||
Line 18: | Line 19: | ||
| cinematography = Oren Peli | | cinematography = Oren Peli | ||
| editing = Oren Peli | | editing = Oren Peli | ||
| studio = ]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url= |
| studio = ]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/64972-PARANORMAL-ACTIVITY|title=Paranormal Activity|work=]|access-date=December 25, 2024}}</ref> | ||
| distributor = |
| distributor = {{Plainlist| | ||
* ] (United States and Canada)<ref name=afi/> | |||
* ] (International)<ref name=img/><ref>{{cite web|title=Top buyers sign on for Oren Peli's Paranormal Activity|website=]|first=Jeremy|last=Kay|date=November 8, 2008|access-date=October 5, 2021|url=https://www.screendaily.com/top-buyers-sign-on-for-oren-pelis-paranormal-activity/4041885.article}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=IM Global sells 'Paranormal Activity'|website=]|first=Patrick|last=Frater|date=November 13, 2008|access-date=October 5, 2021|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/asia/im-global-sells-paranormal-activity-1117995812/}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
| released = {{Film date|2007|10|14|]|2009|09|25|United States}} | | released = {{Film date|2007|10|14|]|2009|09|25|United States}} | ||
| runtime = 86 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 85:43--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/paranormal-activity-2009-1 | title=''PARANORMAL ACTIVITY'' (15) | work=] | date=October 14, 2009 | access-date=June 25, 2015}}</ref> | | runtime = 86 minutes<!--Theatrical runtime: 85:43--><ref>{{cite web | url=https://bbfc.co.uk/releases/paranormal-activity-2009-1 | title=''PARANORMAL ACTIVITY'' (15) | work=] | date=October 14, 2009 | access-date=June 25, 2015}}</ref> | ||
| country = United States | | country = United States | ||
| language = English | | language = English | ||
| budget = $ |
| budget = Production: $15,000<br />Post-production: $200,000<ref name="THRprofit">{{cite web|access-date=April 26, 2020 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/what-is-profitable-movie-ever-1269879 |title=What Is the Most Profitable Movie Ever?|website=]|date=January 18, 2020|author=Stephen Galloway}}</ref> | ||
| gross = $ |
| gross = $194.2 million<ref name="thenumbers" /> | ||
}} | }} | ||
⚫ | '''''Paranormal Activity''''' is a 2007 American <!--DON'T ADD "found footage" here, "found footage" was the concept, not the actual content |
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⚫ | '''''Paranormal Activity''''' is a 2007 American <!--DON'T ADD "found footage" here, "found footage" was the concept, not the actual content-->] produced, written, directed, photographed, and edited by ]. It centers on a young couple (] and ]) who are haunted by a supernatural presence inside their home. They then set up a camera to document what is haunting them. The film uses ] conventions that were mirrored in the later films of the series. | ||
⚫ | Originally developed as an ] and given film festival screenings in 2007, the film was shot for $15,000. It was then acquired by ] |
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⚫ | Originally developed as an ] and given film festival screenings in 2007, the film was shot for $15,000. It was then acquired by ] and modified, particularly with a new ending that cost an additional $200,000. It was given a limited U.S. release on September 25, 2009, and then a nationwide release on October 16, 2009. The film earned nearly $108 million at the U.S. box office and a further $85 million internationally for a worldwide total of $194 million.<ref name="thenumbers" /> Paramount/DreamWorks acquired the U.S. rights for $350,000. It is often cited as the most profitable film ever made, based on proportionate ], although such figures are difficult to verify independently<ref>{{cite news|author=Tom Shone |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/nov/25/paranormal-activity-box-office-profit |title=Paranormal Activity and the myth of the shoestring shocker | Film |work=The Guardian |date= November 25, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2010 | location=London}}</ref> as this is likely to exclude marketing costs.<ref>{{cite web |author=|url=http://www.getthebigpicture.net/blog/2009/10/30/paranormal-activity-the-most-profitable-movie-ever.html |title='Paranormal Activity' The Most Profitable Movie Ever |work=Get The Big Picture |date=October 30, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224235733/http://www.getthebigpicture.net/blog/2009/10/30/paranormal-activity-the-most-profitable-movie-ever.html |archive-date=February 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
⚫ | |||
The film is the first entry in the ]. A parallel sequel, '']'', was released in 2010. | |||
==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
<!-- Please, only add to this synopsis if you spot a mistake or grammatical error. WP:FILMPLOT has a word limit of 400-700 for plot sections of film articles. --> | <!-- Please, only add to this synopsis if you spot a mistake or grammatical error. WP:FILMPLOT has a word limit of 400-700 for plot sections of film articles. --> | ||
Katie drives up to Micah's house in ], as she is moving in. Katie claims an evil presence has been haunting her since she was a child, so Micah sets up a camera in their bedroom to record any paranormal activity that occurs while they sleep. ] Dr. Fredrichs visits the couple and suggests Katie is being haunted by a ] that feeds off of negative energy and is intent on tormenting her. He advises not to communicate with the demon without a ], but Micah continues to film and seek it out. | |||
In 2006, ] couple Katie and Micah are facing a dilemma regarding a ] that has haunted Katie since childhood, which ] Dr. Fredrichs suggests is feeding off negative energy and intent on tormenting her. Katie takes Dr. Fredrichs’ advice seriously, while Micah uses a camera to record any ghostly activity and goes against advice of not handling the situation without a ]. The camera initially captures many strange occurrences in the bedroom during the nights; they start off as mundane such as only noises, flickering lights, and bedroom door movements before escalating into more violent occurrences such as door slamming, loud thuds, and demonic grunts and screeches. Katie, on one night, appears to be in a trance; she gets up, stands beside the bed staring at Micah for two hours, and goes outside, none of which she recalls the next day. | |||
The camera captures many strange occurrences during the night: they start off as minor noises, flickering lights, and bedroom door movements, but over time escalate into loud thuds, violent door slamming, and demonic grunts and screeches. One night, Katie appears to be in a trance; she gets up, stands beside the bed staring at Micah for two hours, and goes outside, none of which she recalls the next day. | |||
⚫ | Micah brings home a ]. When the couple leaves the house, the camera records an unseen force moving the board's pointer on its surface, which then spontaneously catches fire. Katie is increasingly aggravated by Micah's flippant behavior and pleads to contact the demonologist, but he refuses. The couple finds non-human footsteps on ] Micah sprinkled in the hallway; its path leads to a burnt photograph of a young Katie in the attic, thought to have been destroyed in a house fire. Outside intervention is unavailable, as the demonologist is out of the country and Dr. Fredrichs is afraid of making the demon angrier. The next night (20), Katie is pulled out of the bedroom by an unseen force. Micah discovers a bite mark on Katie's back the morning after, motivating him to get out of the house, but Katie abruptly insists on staying. | ||
⚫ | On night twenty-one, Katie gets out of bed again and stares at Micah for two hours before going downstairs. Katie screams profusely for Micah and he quickly rushes to help her. Afterward, Micah screams in pain with loud thuds. After a moment of silence, Micah's body is violently hurled at the camera which is knocked off the tripod, revealing Katie standing in the doorway with blood on her shirt. She crawls to Micah's body, then looks up at the camera with a grin. As she lunges toward the camera, her face takes on a demonic snarl, and the scene cuts to black. The epilogue text states Micah's body is discovered by the police, and Katie is missing. | ||
⚫ | Micah brings home a ]. When the couple |
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⚫ | On night twenty-one, Katie gets out of bed again and stares at Micah for two hours before going downstairs. Katie screams for Micah and he quickly rushes to help her. |
||
===Alternate endings=== | ===Alternate endings=== | ||
Once Paramount acquired the film, the original ending was |
Once Paramount acquired the film, the original ending was shown at only one public viewing before being scrapped; two new endings were developed, one theatrically released above and the other available as an alternate ending on home releases.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.horrorsquad.com/2009/10/11/so-what-was-paranormal-activitys-original-ending/|title=So What Was 'Paranormal Activity's Original Ending?|last=Goss|first=William|website=Horror Squad|date=January 31, 2010|access-date=January 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015123528/http://www.horrorsquad.com/2009/10/11/so-what-was-paranormal-activitys-original-ending/|archive-date=October 15, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hall |first=Peter |date=October 9, 2009 |title=Interview: Oren Peli, Writer-Director of 'Paranormal Activity' |url=http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/09/oren-peli-paranormal-activity-interview/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104000704/http://www.cinematical.com/2009/10/09/oren-peli-paranormal-activity-interview/ |archive-date=January 4, 2010 |access-date=October 23, 2009 |work=Cinematical}}</ref> | ||
===Original ending=== | ====Original ending==== | ||
Katie returns to the bedroom alone, covered in blood and holding a large kitchen knife. She sits on the floor against the bed and rocks back and forth. The next day, Katie's friend Amber leaves a concerned message at 2 pm, visits the house at 9 pm, discovers Micah's body downstairs, and runs away in panic. Thirty minutes later, two policemen enter the house and reach the bedroom where they find the possessed Katie with the knife. Seeing them, Katie suddenly returns to her normal state and asks about Micah. After the attic door slams by itself, one of the officers panics and shoots and kills her. The camera fades to black as the police officers continue searching the house for the source of the sound. An epilogue text appears dedicating the film to the memory of Micah and Katie. | |||
This ending was only shown publicly at the 2007 ] and was never released officially by Paramount or Blumhouse since its acquisition. The original version of the film (dubbed the "Festival Cut") was later leaked on various forums, which included this ending.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Alter |first=Ethan |date=October 12, 2022 |title=How 'Paranormal Activity' became the scariest, most successful DIY horror movie ever |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/paranormal-activity-oren-peli-203800125.html |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | === |
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⚫ | ====New alternate ending==== | ||
After killing Micah off-screen, Katie comes back upstairs alone like in the original ending. She closes and locks the bedroom door, approaches the camera and promptly slits her own throat, before collapsing dead. The scene then fades to black. | |||
==Cast== | ==Cast== | ||
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==Production== | ==Production== | ||
Attempting to focus on believability rather than action and gore, |
Attempting to focus on believability rather than action and gore, Peli chose to shoot the picture with a home video camera. In deciding on a more raw and stationary format (the camera was almost always sitting on a tripod or something else) and eliminating the need for a camera crew, a "higher degree of plausibility" was created for the audience as they were "more invested in the story and the characters".<ref name="interview">{{cite web | url=http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/slamdancenews.php?id=5123 | title=Exclusive Interview: Oren Peli| first=Ryan |last=Turek | date=March 9, 2008 | access-date=March 10, 2008}}</ref> Peli says that the dialogue was "natural" because there was no real script. Instead, the actors were given outlines of the story and situations to improvise, a technique known as "]" also used in the making of '']''.<ref name="interview" /> In casting the movie, Peli auditioned "a few hundred people" before finally meeting Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat. He originally auditioned them individually and later called them back to audition together. Peli was impressed with the chemistry between the actors, saying, "If you saw the footage, you would've thought they had known each other for years."<ref name="interview" /> During a guest appearance on '']'' on November 3, 2009, Sloat and Featherston explained they each saw the casting call on LACasting. Featherston noted they were originally paid $500 for their work. | ||
The film was shot out of sequence due to Peli's self-imposed seven-day shooting schedule,<ref name="latimes">{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-paranormal20-2009sep20,0,843011,full.story | title=The haunted history of 'Paranormal Activity'| first=John |last=Horn | access-date= |
The film was shot out of sequence due to Peli's self-imposed seven-day shooting schedule,<ref name="latimes">{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-paranormal20-2009sep20,0,843011,full.story | title=The haunted history of 'Paranormal Activity' | first=John | last=Horn | access-date=September 20, 2009 | work=] | date=September 20, 2009 | archive-date=September 25, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925031255/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-paranormal20-2009sep20,0,843011,full.story | url-status=dead }}</ref> though he would have preferred the story to have unfolded for the actors as he had envisioned it. Sloat, who controlled the camera for a good deal of the film, was a former cameraman at his university's TV station. "It was a very intense week", Peli said, stating that the film would be shot day and night, edited at the same time, and would have the visual effects applied to it as the acting footage was being finalized.<ref name="interview" /> Multiple endings were conceived, but not all of them were shot.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/10/30/paranormal-activity-three-super-scary-alternate-endings-spoiler-alert/|title='Paranormal Activity': Three super-scary alternate endings (SPOILER ALERT!)|last=Schwartz|first=Missy|magazine=]|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref> | ||
The film was screened at 2007's ], where it impressed an assistant at the ], Kirill Baru, so much that CAA signed on to represent Peli. Attempting to find a distributor for the film and/or directing work for Peli, the agency sent out |
The film was screened at 2007's ], where it impressed an assistant at the ], Kirill Baru, so much that CAA signed on to represent Peli. Attempting to find a distributor for the film and/or directing work for Peli, the agency sent out DVDs of the movie to as many people in the industry as they could, and it was eventually seen by ] Senior Executive ], who thought it had potential. He worked with Peli to re-edit the film and submitted it to the ], but it was rejected. The DVD also impressed ] executives Adam Goodman, Stacey Snider, and finally ], who cut a deal with Blum and Peli.<ref name="latimes" /> | ||
DreamWorks' plan was to remake the film with a bigger budget and with Peli directing, and only to include the original version as an extra when the DVD was eventually released.<ref name="latimes" /> Blum and Peli agreed, but stipulated a test screening of the original film before going ahead with the remake, believing it would be well received by a theatrical audience.<ref name="latimes" /> | DreamWorks' plan was to remake the film with a bigger budget and with Peli directing, and only to include the original version as an extra when the DVD was eventually released. "They didn't know what to do with ", said Blum; they just wanted to be "in business" with Peli.<ref name="latimes" /> Blum and Peli agreed, but stipulated a test screening of the original film before going ahead with the remake, believing it would be well received by a theatrical audience.<ref name="latimes" /> | ||
During the screening, people began walking out; Goodman thought the film was ], until he learned that the viewers were actually leaving because they were so frightened. He then realized a remake was unwise.<ref name="latimes" /> ], which acquired DreamWorks in 2005, bought the domestic rights to the film, and worldwide rights to any sequels, for US$350,000.<ref>{{ |
During the screening, people began walking out; Goodman thought the film was ], until he learned that the viewers were actually leaving because they were so frightened. He then realized a remake was unwise.<ref name="latimes" /> ], which acquired DreamWorks in 2005, bought the domestic rights to the film, and worldwide rights to any sequels, for {{US$|350,000}}.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/10/16/meet-stars-paranormal-activity/|title=Meet the Stars of ''Paranormal Activity''|first=Missy|last=Schwartz|magazine=]|date=October 16, 2009|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-date=May 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524080810/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312937,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/10/paramount-paranormal-activity-sequel.html | title=Paramount may produce 'Paranormal Activity' sequel | work=] | author=Ben Fritz | date=October 25, 2009 | access-date=May 21, 2010}}</ref> When the film was taken in by Paramount, several changes were made. Some scenes were cut, others added, and the original ending was scrapped, with two new endings being shot.<ref name="recut">{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/paranormal-activity-recut-scenes-alternate-endings-kofi-31497/2/|title=Paranormal Activity: Alternate Endings & Recut Scenes|last=Outlaw|first=Kofi|date=October 21, 2009|work=Screen Rant|access-date=October 23, 2009}}</ref> The ending shown in theaters during the film's worldwide release is the only one of the three to feature ], and it differs from the endings previously seen at the Screamfest and Burbank screenings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=October 12, 2009 |title='Paranomal' has 'magical elixir' for horror: Realism, subtlety but not gore |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-10-12-paranormal-activity-side_N.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811035209/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2009-10-12-paranormal-activity-side_N.htm |archive-date=August 11, 2014 |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=]}}</ref> The theatrical release was delayed indefinitely because Paramount had put all DreamWorks productions on hold. Meanwhile, a screening for international buyers resulted in the sale of international rights in 52 countries.<ref name="latimes" /> Only after Goodman became production chief at Paramount in June 2009 did the film finally get slated for a fall release.<ref name="latimes" /> | ||
==Release== | ==Release== | ||
''Paranormal Activity'' ]d at Screamfest Horror Film Festival in North America on October 14, 2007, was shown at the ] on January 18, 2008, and screened at the 36th Annual ] on September 6, 2009.<ref> |
''Paranormal Activity'' ]d at ] in North America on October 14, 2007, was shown at the ] on January 18, 2008, and screened at the 36th Annual ] on September 6, 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telluridefilmfestival.org/news/2009-09 |title=The 36th Telluride Film Festival Draws to a Close |access-date=February 26, 2011 |archive-date=November 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128161407/http://telluridefilmfestival.org/news/2009-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
The version with the new ending |
The version with the new ending made after Paramount acquired the film was screened on September 25, 2009, in twelve ]s across the United States; the venues included ]; ]; ]; and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3360051 |title='Paranormal Activity' Franchise to Conclude Where it All Began… At Screamfest!|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=] |access-date=December 23, 2015 | date=September 3, 2015}}</ref> Eleven of the twelve venues sold out with ], being the only exception due to a Penn State football game that was held the same night.<ref name="latimes2">{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/09/paranormal-activity-expanding-after-selling-out-nearly-all-midnight-shows.html |title='Paranormal Activity' expanding after selling out nearly all midnight shows| first=Ben|last=Fritz |access-date=September 27, 2009 | work=] | date=September 27, 2009}}</ref> On his website, director Oren Peli invited internet users to "demand" where the film went next by voting on ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/business/media/21paranormal.html?_r=3 |title=Thriller on Tour Lets Fans Decide on the Next Stop|first=Michael|last=Cieply|access-date=September 20, 2009 | work=] | date=September 21, 2009}}</ref> This was the first time a major motion picture studio used the service to ] a film.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eventful.com/demand/categories/film?sort_direction=asc&sort_order=performer&page_number=1 |title=Demand Search for Film | access-date=October 10, 2009}}</ref> On September 28, Paramount issued a press release on Peli's website, announcing openings in 20 other markets on October 2, including larger market cities such as New York and Chicago.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/press27.html |title=More than 230,000 fans "demand" 'Paranormal Activity'; fans spur the film's opening in twenty additional cities across the country |work=ParanormalActivity-Movie.com |access-date=September 28, 2009 |archive-date=October 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005013445/http://www.paranormalactivity-movie.com/press27.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
On October 3, it was reported that a total of 33 screenings in all 20 markets had sold out and that the film had earned $500,000 domestically. A day later, Paramount announced that the film would have a full ] in 40 markets, playing at all hours (including after-midnight showings). On October 6, Paramount announced that the movie would be released nationwide if the film received one million "demands" on Eventful. The full limited release of the film started on October 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/33840/fans-reward-paranormal-activity-with-sold-out-shows-and-500k |title=Fans Reward Paranormal Activity with Sold-Out Shows and $500K|last=Barton|first=Steve |work=] |access-date=2009 |
On October 3, it was reported that a total of 33 screenings in all 20 markets had sold out and that the film had earned $500,000 domestically. A day later, Paramount announced that the film would have a full ] in 40 markets, playing at all hours (including after-midnight showings). On October 6, Paramount announced that the movie would be released nationwide if the film received one million "demands" on Eventful. The full limited release of the film started on October 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/33840/fans-reward-paranormal-activity-with-sold-out-shows-and-500k |title=Fans Reward Paranormal Activity with Sold-Out Shows and $500K|last=Barton|first=Steve |work=] |access-date=October 3, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2009/10/freakishly-good-gross-for-paranormal-activity-16867/ |title=UPDATE: 'Paranormal Activity' Set For Oct. 9 Normal Release After It Gets Freakishly Good Gross Playing Only After Midnight|first=Nikki|last=Finke |date=October 4, 2009|website=]|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/17584 |title=Full Limited Release for 'Paranormal Activity' on October 9th|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=] |access-date=October 4, 2009}}</ref> On October 10, the Eventful.com counter hit over one million requests.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/10/06/paranormal-activity-to-open-nationwide-after-1000000-demands-are-received/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008211418/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/10/06/paranormal-activity-to-open-nationwide-after-1000000-demands-are-received |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 8, 2009 |title='Paranormal Activity' To Open Nationwide After 1,000,000 Demands Are Received|first=Adam|last=Rosenberg| work=] |access-date=October 6, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/17654 |title=Horror Victory! 'Paranormal Activity' Hits One Million Demands, Opens Wide!|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=] |date=October 10, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> Paramount announced soon after that the film would get a ] on October 16 and expand to more theaters on October 23.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://coronacomingattractions.com/scoops/october-10-2009-paranormal-activity-film-now-expands-nationwide |title=Film Now Expands Nationwide|first=Patrick|last=Sauriol|date=October 10, 2009|access-date=October 10, 2009}}</ref> By November, it was showing in theaters worldwide. | ||
==Home media== | ===Home media=== | ||
''Paranormal Activity'' was not released on ] or ] until December 29, 2009, more than two years after the film was made. The home release includes one alternate ending to the theatrical version.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/ |
''Paranormal Activity'' was not released on ] or ] until December 29, 2009, more than two years after the film was made. The home release includes one alternate ending to the theatrical version.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/14522/official-word-and-details-paranormal-activity-on-dvd-and-blu-ray |title=Official Word and Details: Paranormal Activity on DVD and Blu-ray |last=Barton |first=Steve |work=] |date=November 24, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> It was released in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2010, on DVD and Blu-ray with some specials.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36035/paranormal-activity-haunt-uk-homes-march-with-some-exclusives |title=Paranormal Activity to Haunt UK Homes This March with Some Exclusives|last=Jones|first=Gareth |work=] |date=February 20, 2010 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> In the ] the movie received a release on ] in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paranormalactivity.nl/nieuws.php |title=Videoband maakt comeback |work=ParanormalActivity.nl |year=2010 |access-date=July 31, 2012 |archive-date=April 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425092838/http://www.paranormalactivity.nl/nieuws.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The film grossed $22.1 million in home sales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Paranormal Activity (2009) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Paranormal-Activity |access-date=August 1, 2023 |website=The Numbers}}</ref> | ||
Additionally, at the end of the film, 15 minutes worth of names were added to the DVD release, as part of a special promotion. The message that popped up before this said: "The fans who "demanded" the film were asked by email if they wanted to have their name appear as a thank you for the film's success." | Additionally, at the end of the film, 15 minutes worth of names were added to the DVD release, as part of a special promotion. The message that popped up before this said: "The fans who "demanded" the film were asked by email if they wanted to have their name appear as a thank you for the film's success." | ||
==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
=== |
===Box office=== | ||
⚫ | The film opened on September 25, 2009, to twelve theaters and took $36,146 on its opening day and $77,873 on its first weekend for an average of $6,489 per venue. It had more success when it opened to 33 theaters on October 1, 2009, doubling the box-office reception, grossing $532,242 for an average of $16,129 per venue, bringing the 10-day total to $776,763.<ref name="thenumbers">{{cite web |title=Paranormal Activity Box Office Data |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/2009/PNACT.php |access-date=May 29, 2023 |work=]}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | On ] ], the film has an overall approval rating of 83% based on |
||
⚫ | As it expanded to 160 theaters on the October 9–11 weekend, the film grossed $2.7 million on that Friday, having a per-theater average of $16,621. It went on to gross $7.9 million. Over the weekend, the film reached the week's highest per-theater average of $49,379, coming in at fourth for the weekend, behind '']'', '']'', and '']''. Over the weekend of October 16, 2009, ''Paranormal Activity'' expanded to 600 more theaters, grossing $19.6 million with $25,813 per theater average gross, and bringing the total gross to $33.2 million. On the weekend of October 23, 2009, ''Paranormal Activity'' rose to first, beating out '']'', earning $21,104,070, expanding to 1,945 theaters for an average of $10,850 per theater, compared with the $14.1 million gross from 3,036 theaters, and $4,650 average for ''Saw VI''. The film has grossed $107.9 million domestically and $85.4 million in foreign markets, with a total gross of $194.2 million.<ref name="thenumbers" /><ref name="BOM">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=paranormalactivity.htm|title=Paranormal Activity|work=]|access-date=November 23, 2011}}</ref> '']'' estimated the film made a net profit of $78 million.<ref name="THRprofit"/> | ||
⚫ | Film critics ] and ] each awarded it 3.5 stars out of a maximum of 4 stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=1822 |title=Reelviews Movie Reviews |work=Reelviews.net |access-date= |
||
===Critical response=== | |||
⚫ | However, some critics disliked the film. Michael Carter of '']'' summed up the film as "all right", though denouncing its reliance on "cheap jump scares and an even cheaper 'found footage' style".<ref>{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Michael |date= |
||
⚫ | On ] ], the film has an overall approval rating of 83% based on 211 reviews, with an ] of 7.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Using its low-budget effects and ] method to great result, ''Paranormal Activity'' turns a simple haunted house story into 90 minutes of relentless suspense."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/paranormal_activity|title=Paranormal Activity|work=]|access-date=May 19, 2021}}</ref> On ], the film has a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/paranormal-activity|title=Paranormal Activity|work=]|access-date=June 18, 2014}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | Film critics ] and ] each awarded it 3.5 stars out of a maximum of 4 stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reelviews.net/php_review_template.php?identifier=1822 |title=Reelviews Movie Reviews |work=Reelviews.net |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref><ref name=ebert>{{cite news|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/paranormal-activity-2009|title=Paranormal Activity |work=] |first=Roger|last=Ebert|date=October 7, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> Ebert stated in his review, "It illustrates one of my favorite points, that silence and waiting can be more entertaining than frantic fast-cutting and berserk f/x. For extended periods here, nothing at all is happening, and believe me, you won't be bored."<ref name=ebert/> '']'' critic ] gave ''Paranormal Activity'' an A− rating and called it "frightening...freaky and terrifying" and said that "''Paranormal Activity'' scrapes away 30 years of encrusted nightmare clichés."<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Owen|last=Gleiberman |url=https://ew.com/article/2009/10/23/paranormal-activity/ |title=Paranormal Activity|magazine=]|date=October 23, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> ] ranked the film 16th in their list of the "Top 20 Horror Films of the Decade", with the article saying, "Peli deserves props for milking the maximum amount of tension out of the spare, modern setting—an ordinary, cookie-cutter tract home in San Diego. It doesn't sound very scary, but Peli manages to make it terrifying. If you aren't white-knuckling your armrest at least once or twice while watching it, you probably don't have a pulse."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18415|title=00's Retrospect: Bloody Disgusting's Top 20 Films of the Decade...Part 2|work=]|access-date=January 3, 2010|date=December 17, 2009}}</ref> | ||
===Box office=== | |||
⚫ | The film opened on September 25, 2009, to twelve theaters and took $36,146 on its opening day and $77,873 on its first weekend for an average of $6,489 per venue. It had more success when it opened to 33 theaters on October 1, 2009, doubling the box-office reception, grossing $532,242 for an average of $16,129 per venue, bringing the 10-day total to $776,763.<ref name=" |
||
⚫ | However, some critics disliked the film. Michael Carter of '']'' summed up the film as "all right", though denouncing its reliance on "cheap jump scares and an even cheaper 'found footage' style".<ref>{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Michael |date=March 23, 2016 |title=Horrifically bad: A ranking of the best and worst horror films |url=http://www.breezejmu.org/offthebeat/horrifically-bad-a-ranking-of-the-best-and-worst-horror/article_b6e37c5c-f159-11e5-9c5f-9f341110c864.html |website=The Breeze |access-date=June 24, 2016}}</ref> ] of the Australian television series '']'' said that "it was extremely unthrilling, very obvious, very clichéd. We've seen it all before."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2751087.htm|title=At The Movies Review of Paranormal Activity|last=Stratton|first=David|author-link=David Stratton|work=]|access-date=February 16, 2010}}</ref> Marc Savlov of '']'' called it "an excruciatingly tedious ] gag cleverly marketed to go viral".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.austinchronicle.com/calendar/film/2009-10-09/paranormal-activity/|title=Paranormal Activity|last=Savlov|first=Marc|work=]|date=October 9, 2009|access-date=June 18, 2014}}</ref> Bill Gibron of '']'' listed the film as the second worst horror film of all time, writing that it lacked "anything remotely redeeming for the seasoned fright fan", and was "a waste of time in both concept and execution".<ref>{{cite news |last=Gibron |first=Bill |date=October 22, 2013 |title=The 10 Worst Horror Movies of All Time |url=https://www.popmatters.com/175991-the-10-worst-horror-movies-of-all-time-2495714575.html |website=PopMatters |access-date=February 5, 2023}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | As it expanded to 160 theaters on the October 9–11 weekend, the film grossed $2.7 million on that Friday, having a per-theater average of $16,621. It went on to gross $7.9 million. Over the weekend, the film reached the week's highest per-theater average of $49,379, coming in at fourth for the weekend, behind '']'', '']'', and '']''. Over the weekend of October 16, 2009, ''Paranormal Activity'' expanded to 600 more theaters, grossing $19.6 million with $25,813 per theater average gross, and bringing the total gross to $33.2 million. On the weekend of October 23, 2009, ''Paranormal Activity'' rose to first, beating out '']'', earning $21,104,070, expanding to 1,945 theaters for an average of $10,850 per theater, compared with the $14.1 million gross from 3,036 theaters, and $4,650 average for ''Saw VI''. The film has grossed $107.9 million domestically and $85.4 million in foreign markets, with a total gross of $ |
||
===Accolades=== | ===Accolades=== | ||
The film was nominated for Best First Feature in the ].<ref>{{cite news|date=2009 |
The film was nominated for Best First Feature in the ].<ref>{{cite news|date=December 1, 2009|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2009/12/precious-and-the-last-station-lead-independent-spirit-award-nominations.html |title='Precious' and 'The Last Station' lead Independent Spirit Award nominations|last=King|first=Susan|work=]|access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> | ||
==Related media== | |||
⚫ | ==Legacy== | ||
The monetary success of ''Paranormal Activity'' compared to its budget made it the most profitable film of all time, surpassing ''The Blair Witch Project'' (1999).<ref>{{cite web|last=Frankel |first=Daniel |url=https://www.thewrap.com/article/paranormal-now-most-profitable-film-ever-9335?page=1 |title='Paranormal' Now the Most Profitable Film Ever |work=The Wrap |date= October 28, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2009/1030/how-paranormal-activity-became-the-most-profitable-movie-ever |title=How 'Paranormal Activity' became the most profitable movie ever|last=O'Carroll|first=Eoin|work=]|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=December 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/nov/30/paranormal-activity-oren-peli |title=Paranormal Activity director's new film snapped up|work=] |last=Brooks |first=Xan |date= November 30, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2010 | location=London}}</ref> It directly led to found footage becoming a horror movie trend for years, with '']'', '']'', '']'', and the '']'' series arriving in its wake.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Curran |first=Brad |date=October 28, 2021 |title=Why Paranormal Activity Kickstarted The Found Footage Craze |url=https://screenrant.com/paranormal-activity-found-footage-blair-witch-kickstarted/ |access-date=August 25, 2022 |website=]}}</ref> | |||
] group ] created their take on the film, titled '']'', which would later spawn a series of its own. In Japan, a sequel entitled '']'' was released in 2010. | |||
⚫ | On March 7, 2010, ] and ] performed a spoof of the film as part of the ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19377|title=Horror Invades the 2010 Academy Awards|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=]|date=March 8, 2010|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36282/oscars-2010-paranormal-activity-spoof-and-salute-horror-introd-twilight-kids|title=Oscars 2010: Paranormal Activity Spoof and Salute to Horror Intro'd by the Twilight Kids|last=Barton|first=Steve|work=]|date=March 8, 2010|access-date=June 3, 2014}}</ref> '']'', a parody film, was released in 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kurutz |first=Steven |date=January 9, 2013 |title=If Marlon Wayans Asks You to His House, Think Twice |language=en-US |work=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/garden/qa-with-marlon-wayans-of-a-haunted-house.html |access-date=August 26, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> | ||
===Digital comics=== | ===Digital comics=== | ||
In December 2009, a short digital comic entitled ''Paranormal Activity: The Search for Katie'' was released for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18397 |title=First 5 Pages 'Paranormal Activity: The Search For KAtie' |work=] |date= |
In December 2009, a short digital comic entitled ''Paranormal Activity: The Search for Katie'' was released for the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/18397 |title=First 5 Pages 'Paranormal Activity: The Search For KAtie' |work=] |date= December 15, 2009|access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> It was written by ]<ref>{{cite web|author= BK |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/35057/get-free-paranormal-activity-app-itunes |title=Get the Free Paranormal Activity App from iTunes |work=] |date=December 19, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> and features art from ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/34892/idw-launches-paranormal-activitythe-search-katie |title=IDW Launches Paranormal Activity:The Search for Katie |last=Barton |first=Steve |work=] |date=December 9, 2009 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> | ||
=== |
===Video game=== | ||
A |
A ] called ''Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul'' was released by VRWerx for the ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pavrgame.com/|title=Paranormal Activity VR Game}}</ref> The PlayStation 4 version can be played in both ] and regular mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySrQusHGbKQ|title=Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul Official YouTube|website=] |date=March 13, 2018 }}</ref> | ||
==Sequels and prequel== | |||
⚫ | ==Legacy== | ||
{{Main|Paranormal Activity (film series)}} | |||
In Japan, a sequel entitled '']'' was released in 2010. Also in 2010, ] group ] created their take on the film, titled '']'', which would later spawn a series of its own. | |||
⚫ | A parallel sequel and prequel, '']'', was released in 2010. The success of the first two films would spawn additional films in the series: the prequel '']'' in 2011, and '']'' (the sequel to the second installment) in 2012. The fifth installment and spin-off, ], was released in 2014, and the sixth installment, ], was released in 2015. A seventh mainline installment, titled ], was released in October 2021 to the ] ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/video/paranormal-activity-next-of-kin-release-date-trailer/ |title=Paramount+ Sets Premiere Date For 'Paranormal Activity: Next Of Kin'; Teaser Unveiled |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=] |date=September 17, 2021 |access-date=September 17, 2021}}</ref> In Japan, a sequel/spin-off "not-official" to the first film was released in 2010, titled ]. | ||
==See also== | |||
⚫ | On March 7, 2010, ] and ] performed a spoof of the film<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/19377|title=Horror Invades the 2010 Academy Awards|last=Miska|first=Brad|work=]|date=2010 |
||
* ] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist|30em |
{{Reflist|30em|refs= | ||
<ref name=img>{{cite web|title=Paranormal Activity|website=]|access-date=October 5, 2021|archive-date=December 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206031026/http://www.imglobalfilm.com/television/paranormal-activity|url=https://www.imglobalfilm.com/television/paranormal-activity}}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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* {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20090922185701/http://www.paranormalmovie.com/}} (Archived) | * {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20090922185701/http://www.paranormalmovie.com/}} (Archived) | ||
* {{IMDb title|1179904|Paranormal Activity}} | * {{IMDb title|1179904|Paranormal Activity}} | ||
* {{ |
* {{Metacritic film|title=Paranormal Activity}} | ||
* {{mojo title|paranormalactivity|Paranormal Activity}} | * {{mojo title|paranormalactivity|Paranormal Activity}} | ||
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|paranormal_activity|Paranormal Activity}} | * {{Rotten Tomatoes|paranormal_activity|Paranormal Activity}} | ||
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Revision as of 05:08, 25 December 2024
2007 film by Oren Peli This article is about the 2007 film. For the film series, see Paranormal Activity (film series). For the phenomena of paranormal activity, see paranormal.
Paranormal Activity | |
---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Oren Peli |
Written by | Oren Peli |
Produced by |
|
Starring | |
Cinematography | Oren Peli |
Edited by | Oren Peli |
Production company | Blumhouse Productions |
Distributed by |
|
Release dates |
|
Running time | 86 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | Production: $15,000 Post-production: $200,000 |
Box office | $194.2 million |
Paranormal Activity is a 2007 American supernatural horror film produced, written, directed, photographed, and edited by Oren Peli. It centers on a young couple (Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat) who are haunted by a supernatural presence inside their home. They then set up a camera to document what is haunting them. The film uses found-footage conventions that were mirrored in the later films of the series.
Originally developed as an independent feature and given film festival screenings in 2007, the film was shot for $15,000. It was then acquired by Paramount Pictures and modified, particularly with a new ending that cost an additional $200,000. It was given a limited U.S. release on September 25, 2009, and then a nationwide release on October 16, 2009. The film earned nearly $108 million at the U.S. box office and a further $85 million internationally for a worldwide total of $194 million. Paramount/DreamWorks acquired the U.S. rights for $350,000. It is often cited as the most profitable film ever made, based on proportionate return on investment, although such figures are difficult to verify independently as this is likely to exclude marketing costs.
The film is the first entry in the Paranormal Activity film series. A parallel sequel, Paranormal Activity 2, was released in 2010.
Plot
Katie drives up to Micah's house in San Diego, as she is moving in. Katie claims an evil presence has been haunting her since she was a child, so Micah sets up a camera in their bedroom to record any paranormal activity that occurs while they sleep. Psychic Dr. Fredrichs visits the couple and suggests Katie is being haunted by a demon that feeds off of negative energy and is intent on tormenting her. He advises not to communicate with the demon without a demonologist, but Micah continues to film and seek it out.
The camera captures many strange occurrences during the night: they start off as minor noises, flickering lights, and bedroom door movements, but over time escalate into loud thuds, violent door slamming, and demonic grunts and screeches. One night, Katie appears to be in a trance; she gets up, stands beside the bed staring at Micah for two hours, and goes outside, none of which she recalls the next day.
Micah brings home a Ouija board. When the couple leaves the house, the camera records an unseen force moving the board's pointer on its surface, which then spontaneously catches fire. Katie is increasingly aggravated by Micah's flippant behavior and pleads to contact the demonologist, but he refuses. The couple finds non-human footsteps on baby powder Micah sprinkled in the hallway; its path leads to a burnt photograph of a young Katie in the attic, thought to have been destroyed in a house fire. Outside intervention is unavailable, as the demonologist is out of the country and Dr. Fredrichs is afraid of making the demon angrier. The next night (20), Katie is pulled out of the bedroom by an unseen force. Micah discovers a bite mark on Katie's back the morning after, motivating him to get out of the house, but Katie abruptly insists on staying.
On night twenty-one, Katie gets out of bed again and stares at Micah for two hours before going downstairs. Katie screams profusely for Micah and he quickly rushes to help her. Afterward, Micah screams in pain with loud thuds. After a moment of silence, Micah's body is violently hurled at the camera which is knocked off the tripod, revealing Katie standing in the doorway with blood on her shirt. She crawls to Micah's body, then looks up at the camera with a grin. As she lunges toward the camera, her face takes on a demonic snarl, and the scene cuts to black. The epilogue text states Micah's body is discovered by the police, and Katie is missing.
Alternate endings
Once Paramount acquired the film, the original ending was shown at only one public viewing before being scrapped; two new endings were developed, one theatrically released above and the other available as an alternate ending on home releases.
Original ending
Katie returns to the bedroom alone, covered in blood and holding a large kitchen knife. She sits on the floor against the bed and rocks back and forth. The next day, Katie's friend Amber leaves a concerned message at 2 pm, visits the house at 9 pm, discovers Micah's body downstairs, and runs away in panic. Thirty minutes later, two policemen enter the house and reach the bedroom where they find the possessed Katie with the knife. Seeing them, Katie suddenly returns to her normal state and asks about Micah. After the attic door slams by itself, one of the officers panics and shoots and kills her. The camera fades to black as the police officers continue searching the house for the source of the sound. An epilogue text appears dedicating the film to the memory of Micah and Katie.
This ending was only shown publicly at the 2007 Screamfest Film Festival and was never released officially by Paramount or Blumhouse since its acquisition. The original version of the film (dubbed the "Festival Cut") was later leaked on various forums, which included this ending.
New alternate ending
After killing Micah off-screen, Katie comes back upstairs alone like in the original ending. She closes and locks the bedroom door, approaches the camera and promptly slits her own throat, before collapsing dead. The scene then fades to black.
Cast
- Katie Featherston as Katie
- Micah Sloat as Micah
- Mark Fredrichs as Dr. Fredrichs
- Amber Armstrong as Amber
- Ashley Palmer as Diane
Production
Attempting to focus on believability rather than action and gore, Peli chose to shoot the picture with a home video camera. In deciding on a more raw and stationary format (the camera was almost always sitting on a tripod or something else) and eliminating the need for a camera crew, a "higher degree of plausibility" was created for the audience as they were "more invested in the story and the characters". Peli says that the dialogue was "natural" because there was no real script. Instead, the actors were given outlines of the story and situations to improvise, a technique known as "retroscripting" also used in the making of The Blair Witch Project. In casting the movie, Peli auditioned "a few hundred people" before finally meeting Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat. He originally auditioned them individually and later called them back to audition together. Peli was impressed with the chemistry between the actors, saying, "If you saw the footage, you would've thought they had known each other for years." During a guest appearance on The Jay Leno Show on November 3, 2009, Sloat and Featherston explained they each saw the casting call on LACasting. Featherston noted they were originally paid $500 for their work.
The film was shot out of sequence due to Peli's self-imposed seven-day shooting schedule, though he would have preferred the story to have unfolded for the actors as he had envisioned it. Sloat, who controlled the camera for a good deal of the film, was a former cameraman at his university's TV station. "It was a very intense week", Peli said, stating that the film would be shot day and night, edited at the same time, and would have the visual effects applied to it as the acting footage was being finalized. Multiple endings were conceived, but not all of them were shot.
The film was screened at 2007's Screamfest Horror Film Festival, where it impressed an assistant at the Creative Artists Agency, Kirill Baru, so much that CAA signed on to represent Peli. Attempting to find a distributor for the film and/or directing work for Peli, the agency sent out DVDs of the movie to as many people in the industry as they could, and it was eventually seen by Miramax Films Senior Executive Jason Blum, who thought it had potential. He worked with Peli to re-edit the film and submitted it to the Sundance Film Festival, but it was rejected. The DVD also impressed DreamWorks executives Adam Goodman, Stacey Snider, and finally Steven Spielberg, who cut a deal with Blum and Peli.
DreamWorks' plan was to remake the film with a bigger budget and with Peli directing, and only to include the original version as an extra when the DVD was eventually released. "They didn't know what to do with ", said Blum; they just wanted to be "in business" with Peli. Blum and Peli agreed, but stipulated a test screening of the original film before going ahead with the remake, believing it would be well received by a theatrical audience.
During the screening, people began walking out; Goodman thought the film was bombing, until he learned that the viewers were actually leaving because they were so frightened. He then realized a remake was unwise. Paramount Pictures, which acquired DreamWorks in 2005, bought the domestic rights to the film, and worldwide rights to any sequels, for US$350,000. When the film was taken in by Paramount, several changes were made. Some scenes were cut, others added, and the original ending was scrapped, with two new endings being shot. The ending shown in theaters during the film's worldwide release is the only one of the three to feature visual effects, and it differs from the endings previously seen at the Screamfest and Burbank screenings. The theatrical release was delayed indefinitely because Paramount had put all DreamWorks productions on hold. Meanwhile, a screening for international buyers resulted in the sale of international rights in 52 countries. Only after Goodman became production chief at Paramount in June 2009 did the film finally get slated for a fall release.
Release
Paranormal Activity premiered at Screamfest Horror Film Festival in North America on October 14, 2007, was shown at the Slamdance Film Festival on January 18, 2008, and screened at the 36th Annual Telluride Film Festival on September 6, 2009.
The version with the new ending made after Paramount acquired the film was screened on September 25, 2009, in twelve college towns across the United States; the venues included Boulder, Colorado; Columbus, Ohio; Madison, Wisconsin; and Seattle, Washington. Eleven of the twelve venues sold out with State College, Pennsylvania, being the only exception due to a Penn State football game that was held the same night. On his website, director Oren Peli invited internet users to "demand" where the film went next by voting on Eventful. This was the first time a major motion picture studio used the service to virally market a film. On September 28, Paramount issued a press release on Peli's website, announcing openings in 20 other markets on October 2, including larger market cities such as New York and Chicago.
On October 3, it was reported that a total of 33 screenings in all 20 markets had sold out and that the film had earned $500,000 domestically. A day later, Paramount announced that the film would have a full limited release in 40 markets, playing at all hours (including after-midnight showings). On October 6, Paramount announced that the movie would be released nationwide if the film received one million "demands" on Eventful. The full limited release of the film started on October 9. On October 10, the Eventful.com counter hit over one million requests. Paramount announced soon after that the film would get a wide domestic release on October 16 and expand to more theaters on October 23. By November, it was showing in theaters worldwide.
Home media
Paranormal Activity was not released on DVD or Blu-ray until December 29, 2009, more than two years after the film was made. The home release includes one alternate ending to the theatrical version. It was released in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2010, on DVD and Blu-ray with some specials. In the Netherlands the movie received a release on VHS in 2010. The film grossed $22.1 million in home sales.
Additionally, at the end of the film, 15 minutes worth of names were added to the DVD release, as part of a special promotion. The message that popped up before this said: "The fans who "demanded" the film were asked by email if they wanted to have their name appear as a thank you for the film's success."
Reception
Box office
The film opened on September 25, 2009, to twelve theaters and took $36,146 on its opening day and $77,873 on its first weekend for an average of $6,489 per venue. It had more success when it opened to 33 theaters on October 1, 2009, doubling the box-office reception, grossing $532,242 for an average of $16,129 per venue, bringing the 10-day total to $776,763.
As it expanded to 160 theaters on the October 9–11 weekend, the film grossed $2.7 million on that Friday, having a per-theater average of $16,621. It went on to gross $7.9 million. Over the weekend, the film reached the week's highest per-theater average of $49,379, coming in at fourth for the weekend, behind Couples Retreat, Zombieland, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Over the weekend of October 16, 2009, Paranormal Activity expanded to 600 more theaters, grossing $19.6 million with $25,813 per theater average gross, and bringing the total gross to $33.2 million. On the weekend of October 23, 2009, Paranormal Activity rose to first, beating out Saw VI, earning $21,104,070, expanding to 1,945 theaters for an average of $10,850 per theater, compared with the $14.1 million gross from 3,036 theaters, and $4,650 average for Saw VI. The film has grossed $107.9 million domestically and $85.4 million in foreign markets, with a total gross of $194.2 million. The Hollywood Reporter estimated the film made a net profit of $78 million.
Critical response
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an overall approval rating of 83% based on 211 reviews, with an average rating of 7.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Using its low-budget effects and mockumentary method to great result, Paranormal Activity turns a simple haunted house story into 90 minutes of relentless suspense." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 based on 24 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
Film critics James Berardinelli and Roger Ebert each awarded it 3.5 stars out of a maximum of 4 stars. Ebert stated in his review, "It illustrates one of my favorite points, that silence and waiting can be more entertaining than frantic fast-cutting and berserk f/x. For extended periods here, nothing at all is happening, and believe me, you won't be bored." Entertainment Weekly critic Owen Gleiberman gave Paranormal Activity an A− rating and called it "frightening...freaky and terrifying" and said that "Paranormal Activity scrapes away 30 years of encrusted nightmare clichés." Bloody Disgusting ranked the film 16th in their list of the "Top 20 Horror Films of the Decade", with the article saying, "Peli deserves props for milking the maximum amount of tension out of the spare, modern setting—an ordinary, cookie-cutter tract home in San Diego. It doesn't sound very scary, but Peli manages to make it terrifying. If you aren't white-knuckling your armrest at least once or twice while watching it, you probably don't have a pulse."
However, some critics disliked the film. Michael Carter of The Breeze summed up the film as "all right", though denouncing its reliance on "cheap jump scares and an even cheaper 'found footage' style". David Stratton of the Australian television series At the Movies said that "it was extremely unthrilling, very obvious, very clichéd. We've seen it all before." Marc Savlov of The Austin Chronicle called it "an excruciatingly tedious YouTube gag cleverly marketed to go viral". Bill Gibron of PopMatters listed the film as the second worst horror film of all time, writing that it lacked "anything remotely redeeming for the seasoned fright fan", and was "a waste of time in both concept and execution".
Accolades
The film was nominated for Best First Feature in the Independent Spirit Awards 2009.
Legacy
The monetary success of Paranormal Activity compared to its budget made it the most profitable film of all time, surpassing The Blair Witch Project (1999). It directly led to found footage becoming a horror movie trend for years, with The Last Exorcism, Apollo 18, The Devil Inside, and the V/H/S series arriving in its wake.
Mockbuster group The Asylum created their take on the film, titled Paranormal Entity, which would later spawn a series of its own. In Japan, a sequel entitled Paranormal Activity 2: Tokyo Night was released in 2010.
On March 7, 2010, Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin performed a spoof of the film as part of the 82nd Academy Awards. A Haunted House, a parody film, was released in 2013.
Digital comics
In December 2009, a short digital comic entitled Paranormal Activity: The Search for Katie was released for the iPhone. It was written by Scott Lobdell and features art from Mark Badger.
Video game
A video game called Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul was released by VRWerx for the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and PlayStation 4. The PlayStation 4 version can be played in both PlayStation VR and regular mode.
Sequels and prequel
Main article: Paranormal Activity (film series)A parallel sequel and prequel, Paranormal Activity 2, was released in 2010. The success of the first two films would spawn additional films in the series: the prequel Paranormal Activity 3 in 2011, and Paranormal Activity 4 (the sequel to the second installment) in 2012. The fifth installment and spin-off, The Marked Ones, was released in 2014, and the sixth installment, The Ghost Dimension, was released in 2015. A seventh mainline installment, titled Next of Kin, was released in October 2021 to the Paramount+ streaming service. In Japan, a sequel/spin-off "not-official" to the first film was released in 2010, titled Paranormal Activity: Tokyo Night.
See also
References
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- "Paranormal Activity". IM Global. Archived from the original on December 6, 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
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- "PARANORMAL ACTIVITY (15)". British Board of Film Classification. October 14, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
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- "Paranormal Activity VR Game".
- "Paranormal Activity: The Lost Soul Official YouTube". YouTube. March 13, 2018.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 17, 2021). "Paramount+ Sets Premiere Date For 'Paranormal Activity: Next Of Kin'; Teaser Unveiled". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
External links
- Official website (Archived)
- Paranormal Activity at IMDb
- Paranormal Activity at Metacritic
- Paranormal Activity at Box Office Mojo
- Paranormal Activity at Rotten Tomatoes
Paranormal Activity film series | |
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Films |
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- 2007 films
- Paranormal Activity (film series)
- 2007 horror films
- 2000s horror thriller films
- 2007 independent films
- 2000s psychological horror films
- 2007 psychological thriller films
- 2000s supernatural films
- American haunted house films
- American horror thriller films
- American independent films
- American psychological horror films
- American psychological thriller films
- American supernatural horror films
- Camcorder films
- Demons in film
- Films about sleep disorders
- Films about spirit possession
- Blumhouse Productions films
- Icon Productions films
- Paramount Pictures films
- Films produced by Jason Blum
- Films set in 2006
- Films set in San Diego
- Films shot in San Diego
- 2000s supernatural horror films
- 2007 directorial debut films
- 2000s English-language films
- 2000s American films
- Found footage films
- IM Global films
- English-language horror thriller films
- English-language independent films
- Teen Choice Award winning films