More Paralyzing Paranormal Picks
Paranormal Activity is one of the more well-known and prolific found footage movies of recent times. It’s certainly unnerving and there are some real scares in this one too. If you’ve finished streaming this and are looking for alternatives – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks. Of course for all the movies we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with. So without further ado, we present 10 movies to check out when you’ve finished watching Paranormal Activity.
Lake Mungo
Lake Mungo is a psychological horror that does a lot with very little. The film has some thrilling stand-out moments and while it’s a ghost story at heart, there’s much more under the hood – including an excellent and memorable ending. The story is incredibly simple but sometimes that’s all you need from a horror. Here, we follow the Palmer family as they deal with the loss of Alice. Filmed in a documentary style, family and friends are interviewed by an unseen documentarian, with pictures and video footage shown too. As the movie progresses, we soon learn that Alice had many secrets. To give much more away would be a disservice to this one but it’s definitely worth a watch.
Incantation
In Taiwanese horror film Incantation, Li Ronan is one of three videographers who use film to bust paranormal myths. But when the group encounters a mysterious cult guarding a secret tunnel, their exploration has dangerous ramifications for those close to Ronan–especially her daughter, Dodo. Directed by Kevin Ko and co-written by Ko and Chang Che-wei, Incantation is a mockumentary horror movie presented as Ronan’s found footage. What starts as a wholesome video project to chronicle Ronan’s reunion with her daughter, whom she gave up six years ago, soon morphs into a chilling paranormal investigation.
Blair Witch Project
The one that started them all; The Blair Witch Project is perhaps dated by today’s standard and not overly scary. The movie does have its moments though, and it’s undoubtedly iconic for what it’s brought to the genre. Furthermore, there are some really nice moments of tension dotted through the run-time. For those unaware, the story centers on 3 film students who vanish after traveling into a Maryland forest to film a documentary on the local Blair Witch legend. The only thing left behind is their camera footage, which is what this movie focuses on.
Cloverfield
Cloverfield’s teaser trailer will forever go down as one of the best movie trailers of all time. It’s tense, unnerving and immediately gripping. The finished product then doesn’t quite live up to the same expectations, but it’s still a very solid found footage film in its own right. The story depicts a group of friends who venture deep into the streets of New York on a rescue mission. Pretty simple right? Well, unfortunately there’s a giant monster rampaging around, destroying the city. This makes things a little more tricky! Nicely paced, Cloverfield ends on a rather ambiguous note too, prompting numerous fan theories online, that kept the debate raging long after the final credits.
Unfriended
Although Searching took this same formula and turned it into a unique thriller, Unfriended can probably be credited with being the first to attempt a “livestream” horror. The basic premise here sees a group of online chatroom friends together, chatting in “real time.” Unfortunately, they find themselves haunted by a mysterious, supernatural force, using the account of their dead friend. Naturally, things soon escalate and descend into nightmarish terror.
Noroi: The Curse
Much like Paranormal Activity, Noroi: The Curse is a movie that relies on the found footage genre, and centers on a documentary filmmaker. Here, our protagonist begins to explore seemingly unrelated paranormal incidents connected by the legend of an ancient demon called the “kagutaba.” Unfortunately, as Masafumi descends deeper into this investigation, she finds herself slipping further away from safety. There’s a lot of neat inclusions in here too and learning about the Kagutaba is incredibly unnerving.
Insidious
Insidious is one of the better spiritual possession movies out there. Whilst The Exorcist will forever hold the classic crown, Insidious feels much closer to Paranormal Activity’s story. Within this film, a family end up stalked by a malevolent spirit that traps their comatose child in a realm called The Further. Josh heads out to try and save his son… but will he make it in time before it’s too late? This one’s definitely worth a watch.
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
If you’re after hidden gem horrors, look no further than Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum. With a simple premise and a likable cast of characters, this found footage thriller is absolutely dread-inducing. The premise revolves around the crew of a horror web series who travel to an abandoned asylum for a live broadcast. Only, when they enter this asylum, they descend into a nightmare for which there seems to be no way out from. There are some genuinely scary moments in this movie and the pacing is perfect across the 90 minute run-time.
Europa Report
One of the strengths in Europa Report comes from its accurate scientific reporting on what we know about Jupiter’s Moon, Europa. Agreed by many scientists to be a possible source for life under its icy shell, it’s unsurprising then to find a film showcasing a manned mission to its surface. In that respect, Europa Report plays out as a sort of docu-drama, showing exactly what would happen if this was to take place. It’s not a soap opera or full of explosive action but it is a compelling sci-fi treat. It’s pretty gripping too and although some may bemoan the pedestrian pace, Europa Report is undoubtedly a decent option if you enjoyed the slow burn of Paranormal Activity
As Above So Below
As Above So Below is an intriguing movie, one that’s set deep in the heart of Paris – quite literally. The movie sees a team of explorers venture deep into the Parisian catacombs that lie beneath the streets. Only, ion doing so they uncover dark secrets that lie within this city of the dead. Tense and unnerving, this is another unique and enjoyable found footage film. So there we have it, our 10 Movie picks to keep you busy after watching Paranormal Activity. What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
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