THE PARANORMAL PASTOR’S TOP 10 Number 7: Paranormal Activity

Paranormal Activity (2007) gives us a remarkably accurate depiction of a residential haunting, but like its predecessors on the list, falls apart in the final act.

It should come as no surprise that Oren Peli’s found footage masterpiece makes the list. I know people hate on this movie, but I adore it. In fact, I will be as bold to say apart from The Blair Witch Project, no other movie has had the influence and impact Paranormal Activity has in forming the modern found footage movement.

Paranormal Activity was also the first found footage movie to ever genuinely give me the creeps. Why? Because of how accurate some of the phenomena is presented in this film. When I watched it for the first time back in 2008, my mind instantly went back to some of the cases I had been a part of in residential homes involving demonic activity. With such praise as a starting point, let’s set the nostalgia aside and see how the film stacks up when we examine it with my rubric.

Right off the bat, the static surveillance is what makes this movie realistic. Paranormal Activity is by far one of the most accurate depictions of how evidence is actually captured. We’ve got fixed cameras, long periods of nothing happening, and things that occur when no one is watching. Early on, all of the activity is seen in the review of the recordings rather than being experienced first-hand or while awake. This is exactly how legitimate cases produce their evidence.

What about the escalation pattern? It’s done well and follows the classic residential haunting arc. We’ve got sounds, object movements, intelligent responses from the entity, and targeted interaction with a specific person. This matches residential cases well. Also, early on we have no drastic leaps in escalation or dramatic spectacles. So far so good, right?

What about the powder footprint experiment in the film? Is this legit? Have investigators really used this? Nope, but it is nonetheless realistic and here’s why. First, it’s simple and non-invasive. The ingenious method is somewhat data oriented and is meant for gathering evidence. It also isn’t an attempt to trap the entity. So, while this isn’t a real method, the way it is executed in the film “could be” realistic since it is done with such restraint.

Another thing that gives the investigator aspect a heavy dose of realism is the missteps taken by nonprofessional investigators like Katie and Micah, our two main characters. From an investigator standpoint, their behavior is both accurate and painful to watch. They provoke the demon…well, Micah does. Then they bring in the wrong help and ignore the escalation warning. Most real cases worsen because the homeowners or residents interfere in this way and don’t listen to the investigators.

But besides the powder scene, where does the movie really fall short and start to unravel when it comes to accuracy? There has to be some major flaws since it’s number 7 on the list, right? First and foremost, there’s Micah. He’s a mixed bag when it comes to realism. On one hand, he acts at times exactly how people with zero experience or appreciation for the film would act. However, his actions seem to descend into the absurd once things start to escalate. I find it hard to believe someone would really be that dumb and antagonistic when these types of phenomena start to occur, putting the one you love in harm’s way. Micah is a provocateur extraordinaire, acting more like a skeptic seeking dominance than a man trying to help his girlfriend. He becomes the main catalyst and why things get so out of hand. Real investigators avoid taunting and do what they can to keep things from escalating.

Alas, like its predecessors on the list, the film really stumbles in the realism department in the final act. The last few minutes show too much. It confirms things too clearly and removes all ambiguity. Many cases never end with this level of certainty. So, while Paranormal Activity has a lot going for it, the ending of the movie is definitely all cinematic flair. That being said, the film is still a solid entry to accuracy, and on top of that, an excellent and scary found footage movie. Overall score 3.5/4

Known by his fans as “The Paranormal Pastor,” JD Hill brings a unique and original touch to the dark fiction genre. His twenty plus years in ministry have afforded him the opportunity to encounter people from all walks of life and in a myriad of situations. These experiences have leaked into his stories in numerous ways. He is from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and has four children.

PLEASE NOTE: The views and opinions of the staff of Memento Mori Ink do not necessarily represent those of Memento Mori Ink or Crystal Lake Publishing. Thank you for understanding.