Paranormal Activity
Paranormal Activity Image
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Metascore
68 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critics What's this?

User Score
5.6 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 478 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat
  • Summary: After a young, middle class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban “starter” tract house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be somehow demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. (Paramount Pictures)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 1 out of 24
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    91
    With its this-is-really-happening vibe, Paranormal Activity scrapes away 30 years of encrusted nightmare clichés. The fear is real, all right, because the fear is really in you.
  2. Empire
    Reviewed by: Simon Crook
    80
    An Amityville for the YouTube age: potent, primal and genuinely frightening.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kevin Lally
    60
    "Paranormal" ultimately does deliver in a way that "Blair Witch" never did, but its achingly slow buildup is a test not just of an audience's patience but the power of hype surrounding the latest alternative scary movie.
  4. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    0
    Don't believe the hype: Paranormal Activity may be a lot of things, but the words "scary" and "movie" are not among them. It is instead nothing more or less than an excruciatingly tedious YouTube gag cleverly marketed to go viral in the broadest and most box office-friendly way.

See all 24 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 147 out of 280
  2. Mixed: 26 out of 280
  3. Negative: 107 out of 280
  1. ChrisC
    9
    Admittedly the first parts of the movie were kinda boring. But I can't help but feel it was purposely boring to lower expectations to increase the shock value. Brilliantly made movie, the ending is one that still haunts me even days later and is probably the most terrifying scene in a horror movie I've ever seen. Honestly I can't stand when people act tough and say this movie didn't scare them. Stop kidding yourself. It was probably the best horror movie I've ever seen. And Mike R.....you paid $20 for a ticket????… Expand
  2. JB
    8
    Anyone calling themselves a horror fan that doesn't recognize the genius of this has no clue. This is a landmark film in the genre, and genres need a huge kick in the pants every now and then to keep them fresh. Deserves to be mentioned with the likes of Night of the Living Dead, Halloween, Ringu, and Blair Witch.… Expand
  3. ScarTissue1990
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie is okay, not "the scariest film I have ever seen" but, the end where the body flies to the camera did make me jump a little. But, I wouldn't really watch it unless someone made me..… Expand
  4. SarahM
    2
    Anyone rating this movie about a 5 has something wrong with them. I'm sorry, but this movie was SO over hyped. I even tried to FORCE myself to be scared. And believe me, if it was the least scary, I would have been scared. Interesting CONCEPT, but beyond that, nothing. Kudos for the producers for creating so much B.S. hype!… Expand

See all 280 User Reviews

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