Paranormal Activity (2009)

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Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1179904/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Who is the Antagonist?

  • Demon
  • He has tormented the protagonist since she was a child
  • Most active at night, which is the reason for the video camera

Fashions?

  • Casual, normal for the time period

Trusted of Feared?

  • Feared by the protagonists and the paranormal expert

Favorite Killing Strategy?

  • Only one death; hurls victim

Death Count Caused by Antagonist?

  • 1 death (one of the two protagonists)
  • Entity is said to kill another woman, but not within this movie
  • Terror is the main form of torture

Are Deaths Shown in Detail?

  • No; the death scene is only a few seconds long 
  • Black & white make it less clear
  • No blood or gore

Sidekicks?

  • None

Happy Ending?

  • No; the possessed protagonist kills her boyfriend, signaling the end of the film

Special Effects?

  • Ouija board starts itself on fire
  • Doors open and close by themselves
  • Character is pulled down the hall by an invisible force
  • Character is thrown across the room in an unhumanly way

Technology?

  • Video camera
  • Landline phone
  • Laptop
  • Box television

The Narrative Theory

  • Equilibrium Phase: The female protagonist has attracted the entity ever since she was a young child. As an attempt to help her, the male protagonist buys a video camera to record the paranormal activity going on in the home. It occurs primarily at night when they are asleep. They invite an expert to come to the home and help her get rid of the entity.
  • Disruption Phase: The expert informs her that it is a demon, not a ghost, haunting her. He refers the couple to a specialist that can help them resolve the problems since demons are not his expertise; however, they do not immediately call the exorcist. The more they record themselves and attempt to communicate, the more the activity picks up and the worse it gets.
  • Realization Phase: The female protagonist fears for her life as the demon begins physically harming and possessing her. She decides she needs an expert's help after all. They call the initial expert who came to their home. He explains the exorcist can not offer his services for another week. They realize their only option is to wait.
  • Restored Order Phase: The possessed female protagonist throws her partner at the camera the final night, killing him.
  • Equilibrium Restored Phase: She approaches the camera and it shuts off. This signals the film's end.

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