When it comes to horror, the “found footage” subgenre has been effective in its ability to create a jarring, uneasy feeling with its limited perspective and disorientation. At the same time, it sets the stage for heart-pounding thrills and chills through its sense of immersion and realism.
While this style has certainly seen mixed results, directors Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez arguably remain the gold standard of this subgenre of horror, with their classic, The Blair Witch Project. Yet, in many ways, filmmaker Oren Peli has managed to steal the spotlight with his nailbiter from 2007, Paranormal Activity. They both certainly offer compelling evidence that this genre can work, especially in the realm of horror.
And despite some lukewarm sequels related to these franchises, these breakthrough debuts still shine as two of the most frightening in the genre for many. Both contain some overlap stylistically and thematically, yet they’re definitely both distinct in their storytelling, and their means of generating fear. But which is more effective?
10 Paranormal Activity: The Heart-Pounding Moments Of Silence
The idea of “less is more” in art and entertainment may be fairly overused and cliche. Yet at least in the case of Paranormal Activity, it has plenty of merit behind it. The film can certainly be considered uneventful and slow-moving – but this intense, uneasy buildup just makes those inevitable scares all the more, well, scary.
Watching the film’s two leads, Katie and Micah, sleeping soundly in the darkness paradoxically gets viewers’ hearts pounding and sitting on the edge of their seats. They know the spooky apparition is likely to make its presence known in one way or another; it’s just a matter of how and when…
9 The Blair Witch Project: The Steady, Accelerating Sense Of Tension And Fear
Paranomal Activity is effective in its own way by generating sporadic, unexpected frights at various points in the film. Yet, there’s something to be said about the slow, methodical acceleration of suspense and terror in Myrick and Sánchez’s thriller.
Things begin lighthearted and benign as the leads shop around for food and booze, joke around, and chat with locals. The film subtlely injects creepy exposition via interviews and on-camera speeches by Heather. The intensity builds as the trio hikes deeper into the woods, soon finding that they’re lost.
Bumps in the night can be heard in the distance, which gets spookier and more prominent each evening. Cue the downward spiral by way of infighting, panic, and increasingly creepy happenings. The Blair Witch Project is masterful in this slow buildup and eventual crescendo of terror.
8 Paranormal Activity: The Ominous Subject Matter
The notion of an unseen, evil witch creeping about the woods is goosebump-inducing, to be sure – yet it’s a specific circumstance and setting. After all, this witch is confined to the woods, and even the people of nearby Burkittsville seem to be safe – and somewhat oblivious – of this nearby threat.
One way in which Paranormal Activity is effective in its fright factor is the idea of a malevolent presence that literally hits home. The feeling of vulnerability from the entity tormenting someone in their own beds, is part of what makes the film – much like A Nightmare on Elm Street or The Exorcist – so unsettling.
7 The Blair Witch Project: The Eerie Sense Of Atmosphere And Immersion
With such a simple premise – not to mention a fairly meager budget – creating a sense of atmosphere is key, and Myrick and Sánchez nail this aspect. The backdrop of the vast woodlands of Maryland in the fall creates a feeling of helplessness and vulnerability with its chilling, ominous atmosphere.
While the idea of a seemingly omnipotent demon-ghost is no-doubt creepy, TBWP relies on the setting itself to invoke a sense of fear, which isn’t quite matched by a typical home interior. Added to this is the shaky handheld cam and the gritty home video vibe that makes viewers feel like they’re there with the three leads.
The film’s ability to “show” rather than “tell” further drives home this dynamic, realistic feel.
6 Paranormal Activity: More Action Captured On-Screen
TBWP can be somewhat polarizing, and this largely stems from its lack of action, or discernable “stuff” happening on-screen. Everything is more implied, which ignites the imagination, but may turn off some viewers looking for more direct transmission of spooky sights and sounds.
And while PA runs with this style somewhat, its tendency to actually show objects moving, doors slamming – and a possessed Katie sauntering around on occasion – is more classically creepy and in-your-face.
5 The Blair Witch Project: The Great Sense Of Realism/Authenticity
A large part of TBWP‘s allure and eeriness stems from its impressively authentic, believable nature. From the convincing reactions of the film’s leads, to the low-grade way in which the film is shot, to the simplistic woodland setting, it all just feels real.
This authenticity was even further elevated in the early days of the film, which launched alongside a marketing campaign that went out of its way to sell this as a true story.
Still – despite now knowing this was just a clever campaign tactic, the authentic documentary style injects an additional layer of fear.
4 Paranormal Activity: Bone-Chilling Scenes Of A Possessed Katie
As it was touched on, there are more tangibly creepy moments to be had in the heart-pounding PA. This translates to Katie herself; the focus of both the evil spirit tormenting her and of the film at large.
Sure, it’s creepy when Josh mysteriously ends up missing without a trace. But actually witnessing the creepy actions of a possessed Katie sufficiently invokes terror in a way TBWP does not.
There’s something palpably unsettling about the idea of this zombified figure looming over the bed of her sleeping partner for hours on end. And who can forget that gasp-inducing ending that shows a glimpse of a demonic Katie leaping towards the camera?
3 The Blair Witch Project: Top-Notch Performances
It’s tough to deny the convincing performances of the small cast that makes up both films in question here. Yet, the young leads of TBWP truly take it to the next level. The raw, visceral, and emotional acting of Heather, Josh, and Mike are impressive to say the least - especially when factoring in the improvisational element.
Yes, much of the dialogue and acting was conjured up on the spot – with only basic beats and vague character descriptions and directions of the three students giving by the filmmakers. The very believable, organic performances of these actors further help paint a realistic, immersive picture.
2 Paranormal Activity: Static, Limited Perspective Of The Camera
As TBWP demonstrates so well, what viewers don’t see can often be scarier than what is shown in plain sight. And while there are plenty of ghostly occurrences caught by the home cameras, PA thrives in its balance between this imagery and a restricted perspective. The limited vision from the static camera coupled with the dark bedroom setting keeps its audience feeling uneasy, as they can never be sure if trouble is lurking nearby.
This sets the stage for a tense, vulnerable feeling that continues to build. It’s almost a Tarintino-esque sense of claustrophobia that Blair Witch‘s vast forest setting doesn’t quite convey.
1 The Blair Witch Project: That Ending…
Many will point to the memorable ending of PA, which seems to go out of its way to frighten its unsuspecting viewers.
As memorable as this scene is, it’s tough to beat the creepy aura of the shocking, ambiguous Blair Witch conclusion. The final scene presents a heart-pounding climax as the remaining protagonists are exploring an eerie abandoned house. This leads to the jarringly-abrupt end, which is all the more effective with its obscured perspective. It gets the viewer pondering as to what exactly happened, inspiring the imagination.
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