(2009) ***
A mother and two teenage children played by 25 year olds are menaced by an unseen force. On the advice of a paranormal investigator the trio is encouraged to document the unusual activity occurring in the home. The son, Thomas, sets up cameras in his mother and sister’s room, and the living room. He also carries a camera with him at all times so we are given other views of the home. Each night documented is filled with creepy events, which I will not spoil here. After a while it becomes clear that the entity is not interested in Thomas, but rather his double-d sister, Samatha.
Surprisingly effective, this blatant rip-off of Paranormal Activity, which I also enjoyed, is actually a scarier, faster-paced film and it’s the first film this year to give me the heebie-jeebies. Yes the acting is poor (e.g., Samantha breaks the fourth wall a few times and overacts), the home is ridiculously sparse (e.g. Samatha’s room is a bed, dresser and a crucifix, and that’s it.), and it’s never clear what any of the characters do for a living since none of them ever seem to leave the house, but overall the director creates a tense situation that made me jump more than once. I must acknowledge that I’m a bit biased because I love horror movies that involve found footage or things caught on a security camera. Watch this back-to-back with Paranormal Activity for a double treat of eerie.
