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Most high-grossing movies these days are tremendous, effects driven blockbusters with A-list stars and budgets larger than the GDP of most developed countries. For the past few weeks, one movie has dominated the box office, slipping to the number two slot only as a result of Michael Jackson’s last on-screen appearance. And it only cost about $15,000 to make.

“Paranormal Activity” is immersive from the very beginning. There are no opening credits, no title sequence, really nothing to indicate this is anything more than video footage from a handheld camera. The story follows Micah (Micah Sloat) and Katie (Katie Featherston), a couple plagued by unexplainable nightly disturbances. In order to get to the bottom of things, Micah purchases a camera and sets it up in their bedroom. This leads the unfortunate pair to one unfortunate conclusion: there’s a demonic presence in their home, and it doesn’t like being videotaped.

 

 

Everything about the film is minimalist, and as such it plays very capably into the subtle fears that crop up when you’re alone in the dark. The handheld camera is something we’ve all seen before, but thankfully it spends much of its time on a tripod. Moments when the actors run back and forth with the camera are extremely rare, so you won’t leave the theatre with motion sickness.

It’s the audio that really creates the creepiness and intensity of “Paranormal Activity.” A low budget and specialized premise limited the visual effects that could be used.  Instead, bumps, knocks and creaks that you so desperately want to believe is the house settling, are employed to create the effect of an otherworldly intruder.

“Paranormal Activity” features no serial killers with elaborate death traps and no undead monsters stalking sexually charged teenagers.

Instead, writer and director Oren Peli shot the entire film in his own home, on a minimal budget, and has successfully made one of the best suspense films of the year.