Paranormal Activity pulls the crowds
Updated on 31 October 2009
Paranormal Activity was made on a shoestring budget but has since brought in tens of millions at the US box office. Nicholas Glass look at what has made it such a success.
A decade after The Blair Witch Project became an international sensation, Paranormal Activity is looking to follow in its low-budget, ghostly footsteps.
Shot in a San Diego home by director Oren Peli and a few friends for reportedly under $20,000, the film focuses on a couple named Katie and Micah - who suspect something is going bump in the night and resolve to run their video camera to find out what it is.
The indie film is a thriller that defies traditional Hollywood horror definitions: in place of blood and gore is mystery and suspense, accomplished with classic low budget effects like doors that open on their own and eerie sounds.
Created in 2007, Paranormal Activity played at a number of horror festivals before making it to Sundance this year. It was purchased by Paramount, which opened the film in fewer than 10 university towns and has called for fans to "demand" online that the film come to their local theatres. The marketing trick worked, along with good word-of-mouth reviews.
First time director Oren Peli set out to make a movie that would scare himself with Paranormal Activity, and hoped it would maybe do well commercially, but he had no idea it would be the success it has - as of 23 October, It has already grossed around $37m.
But is this just a one hit wonder, cleverly made on a budget and great for Halloween but unlikely to get this director taken seriously?
Paranormal Activity is to be released in the UK at the end of November.
