Paramount Pictures | Release Date: September 25, 2009
5.9
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 702 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
377
Mixed:
138
Negative:
187
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)
0
DavidVDec 8, 2009
Quite possibly the worst movie of all times. The problem isn't that it isn't a typical psycho killers movie. The problem is that it makes you feel nothing because nothing is happening. A door moving slightly at night or a Quite possibly the worst movie of all times. The problem isn't that it isn't a typical psycho killers movie. The problem is that it makes you feel nothing because nothing is happening. A door moving slightly at night or a chandelier moving aren't "scary." Some hail it for its "suspense" and "jump scares," but it completely lacks those, unless you're one of those people that already believes this type of crap is possible and thus just become involved with it as if you believed this could be you. Skip on this movie at all cost. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
JosephAOct 29, 2009
I'm still surprised at how many people are effectively saying that this movie is perfect. A ten out of ten means absolutely no flaws. Not only did this movie have flaws, the low budget everyone is heralding as the saving-grace of the I'm still surprised at how many people are effectively saying that this movie is perfect. A ten out of ten means absolutely no flaws. Not only did this movie have flaws, the low budget everyone is heralding as the saving-grace of the film actually bogged it down. I really wish they used some decent special effects, honestly I do. It would have made the movie more interesting as well as more polished. I hated this movie after seeing the endiing, I hated what it stole from other films and what it could have been. Hearing people laugh AT the movie made me smile. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
sexysexyOct 31, 2009
It is absolutely the worst possible choice for a horror flick right now. The ending was scary, but that's it. Literally, the action was all in the trailer. If you MUST see it, then at least go late into the movie, like an hour late. It is absolutely the worst possible choice for a horror flick right now. The ending was scary, but that's it. Literally, the action was all in the trailer. If you MUST see it, then at least go late into the movie, like an hour late. Then you wont have to go through the slow, slow, agonizingly boring buildup. in groups, this movie is nothing but funny, and it's incredibly predictable thanks to a weird airplane-in-the-distance sound that comes before anything "paranormal" happens. It might be a slightly good movie if u go with just a girlfriend, but no other friends, maybe she'll make it a passable experience. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
DGOct 31, 2009
Here's the ingrediants to this movie... #1- Steal Blair Witch's handheld-camera really-happening horror concept. #2- Steal the nightvision lens and monster dragging young woman into the darkness tricks from "Quarantine". #3- Take Here's the ingrediants to this movie... #1- Steal Blair Witch's handheld-camera really-happening horror concept. #2- Steal the nightvision lens and monster dragging young woman into the darkness tricks from "Quarantine". #3- Take cliche "jump scene" tactics, and make the entire movie build up to the good ol' jump scene. #4- Make the characters too impossibly stupid to think to sleep in a well traveled public place like a shelter or park bench, where traditionally ghosts and goblins have a harder time snatching people. #5- And finally after stealing the entire movie concept from other recent horror movies coupled with horrendously unrealistic ignorances of the characters (the lead male actor seems to think he can kill the Demon by wrasslin' him or talking smack)...brag how it "only cost 15,000 dollars", so people will forgive its countless failings. If you're too old to have a slumber party, you're too old to not have the unoriginal and unrealistic plot sidetrack your attention. This is what happens when a few 8th graders get a derivitive idea, only it occurs to a full grown man with the money to see it to fruition. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
ChrisVOct 31, 2009
Ok, so, this is scary?? pfff.. i just saw it like 10 minutes ago and, believe me, not scary, its frustrating how the camera moves a lot, and yes, you can feel like horror on the main characters, but they dont transit it.. the only thing i Ok, so, this is scary?? pfff.. i just saw it like 10 minutes ago and, believe me, not scary, its frustrating how the camera moves a lot, and yes, you can feel like horror on the main characters, but they dont transit it.. the only thing i liked about this movie whas that it is kinda truly tio reallity, because they say that when one person is haunted by a demon its because this presence whant to posses his soul :S.. but the movie its kinda boring, i whas very sleepy and its saturday night and its only 11:30 pm. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
AveryBDec 13, 2009
The scariest thing about the movie is that it cost me $14.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
TJDec 14, 2009
One of the worst movie ever screened in cinema. Wasted more than 1 hour 30 min of my life watching this crap. I want a refund for the movie ticket! Once bitten twice shy, so don't even think of making Paranormal Activity. Just realise One of the worst movie ever screened in cinema. Wasted more than 1 hour 30 min of my life watching this crap. I want a refund for the movie ticket! Once bitten twice shy, so don't even think of making Paranormal Activity. Just realise that I have wasted another 3 mins writing this review. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
0
PaulHDec 15, 2009
Boring and anti-climatic, not that it would have even taken much at the end to reach some kind of peak compared to the rest of the "film." I'm glad I didn't pay to see this movie. If I had, I most certainly would have walked out to Boring and anti-climatic, not that it would have even taken much at the end to reach some kind of peak compared to the rest of the "film." I'm glad I didn't pay to see this movie. If I had, I most certainly would have walked out to get a refund. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
2
LanHDec 21, 2009
This movie isn't scary which just ruins the whole point of it. Towards the end our whole cinema was laughing because everyone was making jokes about it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
3
EvanW.Dec 28, 2009
I can't believe how excited I was to see this boring, slow paced, waste-of-my-life film. I laughed more than I was scared.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
1
gamefriekFeb 26, 2011
What the hell were the directors and writers thinking? This movie had so much potential to be great, but it flopped badly. The story is of a couple that has weird things going on in their house. The whole beginning of this movie was just theWhat the hell were the directors and writers thinking? This movie had so much potential to be great, but it flopped badly. The story is of a couple that has weird things going on in their house. The whole beginning of this movie was just the two of them going "Whoa, did you feel/see that?". The only decent part of that whole 90 minutes was the ending. It was the only part that actually made me feel suspense, but only just a little bit. This movie was a complete waste of money that should have never been made. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
2
moviefanAug 31, 2010
Don't be fooled by the critics high ratings, this movie was 95% boring with only one or two semi-scary or interesting moments, both of which ended quickly with no real drama or interest. I was very disappointed, the ending was abrupt and asDon't be fooled by the critics high ratings, this movie was 95% boring with only one or two semi-scary or interesting moments, both of which ended quickly with no real drama or interest. I was very disappointed, the ending was abrupt and as bland and un-descriptive as the entire film and made me wonder what the purpose was of watching the entire movie, I wish I had not. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
3
JordyAtkinsSep 23, 2010
I get the idea of the film. A generic haunting or such and the couple use a sensible option of trying to record everything to see whats happening. As the movie progresses, it just seems ages to get going and then when it does, theres no realI get the idea of the film. A generic haunting or such and the couple use a sensible option of trying to record everything to see whats happening. As the movie progresses, it just seems ages to get going and then when it does, theres no real shock value. I'm a bad jumper in films, someone shouts bang, and i'm more likely to jump even if i know its coming. Yet at no point in this film did it make me just, everything was just a bit too cheesy and predictable. No worth the money really, but the blu-ray version looks immaculate because of the graphics Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
1
carloorlacNov 15, 2010
This movie is simply ridiculous. Even though it is supposed to be scary, I just had a bunch of good laughs. The action is close to zero, and the characters are quite annoying, especially the girl... If I were the demon, I would escape fromThis movie is simply ridiculous. Even though it is supposed to be scary, I just had a bunch of good laughs. The action is close to zero, and the characters are quite annoying, especially the girl... If I were the demon, I would escape from her! Moreover, this idea of filming had already been used in The Blair Witch Project... an epic fail... presented like the scariest movie ever, it's been fun all the time!!!!!!! Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
3
skafastJan 6, 2012
I expect a horror film to be tense, terrifying, and have some climax moments; and from what I've heard this was exactly what I was going to find in Paranormal Activity, but all that I found is that it isn't a horror film at all: it tries toI expect a horror film to be tense, terrifying, and have some climax moments; and from what I've heard this was exactly what I was going to find in Paranormal Activity, but all that I found is that it isn't a horror film at all: it tries to scare you, tries to have any plot, but all you get is a boring experience; and when I discovered it, I began with some nonsense laughs because it was the only thing that could keep me awake during the session. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
2
imthenoobJan 19, 2023
I can understand why people may be drawn to this but it really isn't for me. First and foremost, It is incredibly overrated. So-so acting, Thin plot, and no real build-up or suspense. It relies heavily on music cues and jump scares, whichI can understand why people may be drawn to this but it really isn't for me. First and foremost, It is incredibly overrated. So-so acting, Thin plot, and no real build-up or suspense. It relies heavily on music cues and jump scares, which grow stale very quickly. Why anyone thinks this is a genuinely good movie is beyond me. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
1
csw12Oct 9, 2013
Paranormal Activity gets a 1 for one scare, a one for originality, and a 10 for being completely and utterly pointless. The movie goes no where and accomplishes nothing, while you watch two people complain and pretend to be scared onParanormal Activity gets a 1 for one scare, a one for originality, and a 10 for being completely and utterly pointless. The movie goes no where and accomplishes nothing, while you watch two people complain and pretend to be scared on everything little thing that sounds strange. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
1
bartcbemAug 9, 2019
I really dont understand the phenomena of this movie, I really dont. It wasn't scary, or thrilling, or even interesting on the technical level. There is nothing to remember. If anything it shows how easy people are manipulated by hype culture.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
3
drone41Feb 20, 2018
It's probably one of the interesting horror plot, but in the end you see how poor movie it is.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
0
AceFrahmJan 2, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have just created a MetaCritic account entirely for the purpose of warning you away from this worthless movie!

Both the prime protagonist and the secondary protagonist are completely flat characters we have no reason to like at all. We hope that a monster is real and eats them quickly to get the movie over with, so that we never have to watch these boring, unimportant, empty vessel non-player characters ever again. The dialogue is boring and badly written. The character's behavior & responses to each other, and their motives at each point don't make much sense, even by the standards of an F- grade horror movie, in which the audience typically expects that somebody ( even several people ) needs to make a dumb error ( or many ) in order for the plot to be contrived, justified for the "fun" that comes later. Even that doesn't happen here. Micah tries to uncover the haunting mystery for her, but Katie doesn't help or appreciate this in any way. Their supposedly intimate relationship doesn't seem to have any credible reason for existing in the first place.

"Katie" has no characterization. She is supposedly is an english major who's about to graduate and become a teacher, but we see no trace of evidence of this in her behavior or dialogue, or in the house. Very very late in the movie, she has 1 book we can't see any page text or cover of, which appears to be an untouched brand new perfect-bound book with crisp, flawless page edges & corners, and claims to be "studying", but she's seated with her feet bent up under her legs on the couch cushion, a very "I'm not really studying at all" position. She does not seem to have a literate attitude or the sensible manner that a person who intends to be a teacher must have to potentially operate any kind of classroom. We see her at a table with a small amount of bead jewelry making materials, as though she has acquired a teeny-tiny all-in-one "do it yourself" bead-ery kit. We never see her successfully use any of these materials to do so much as thread even a single bead, and the character wears no bead jewelry. "Micah" also has no characterization. Instead of "My-Kah", his name is mispronounced throughout the movie as "Mee-Kah", which is not how any americans or canadians would ever pronounce that name, unless we are supposed to understand that Micah or his parents came from eastern europe, which is NOT established by the movie. Micah is announced to us by Katie as being "interested in electronics". This is the one and only feature his character supposedly has, but the film merely shows us that he has only just bought a camera to try to get proof of the suspected haunting at the very opening of the movie, and he hasn't even thrown out the cardboard box it came in. The movie shows us that he's only just barely learning to make it record. He appears to use an old cassette tape recorder, but for all the audience knows, he's probably only just dragged it out of storage to try to record a "ghost" for the benefit of Katie, and that he hasn't used the machine for anything else. While Micah has a computer, it is not notable. It seems to exist merely for showing the audience that they review what was on the camera & cassette recordings. He is not shown to be particularly adept in any way at the use of any of these items, or to be enamored with them. This reveals NOTHING about his character traits or place in the world.

When the haunting expert pays his 2nd visit to the house, he merely states that the other ( never seen ) demonology expert isn't available, and that he himself can't stay and must leave the house immediately. This is stupid, because even in 2006, ALL human adults would simply communicate this in a phone call. Even the monster's behavior and motives make no sense, even for an ill-defined "I can do anything, I'm a demon" monster. Apparently it wants to kill, but only does that after taking demonic possession of a human host, accomplished by biting them? Why wouldn't it bite Micah instead? At least then it would occupy a body with greater physical strength. Why would it care about boring nobody Katie in the first place? It appears that the monster can drag around anyone it likes, and bite them at any time, and humans are powerless to stop it, yet it waits 16+ days to do so, for no apparent reason.

This is a bad movie. Do not watch it. You will never recover that wasted ~80+ minutes back into your life.
Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
2
InjuredDriverJun 29, 2023
One of the worst "found footage" movies I've ever seen. And that's all I have to say about that.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews