The first time watching Paranormal Activity in a sold out theater crowd nearly twenty years ago was an experience unlike any other. That found-footage phenomenon took the world by storm in an unprecedented crowd-funding tactic where you had to “demand” the movie to play at a theater near you. The $15,000 budgeted horror would go on to be one of the most successful indie films of all time, and spawn a new franchise in its wake. The vibes in the theatre two nights after opening for Broadway’s Paranormal Activity felt like it matched the energy of that lightning-in-a-bottle original movie. Seeped in dread and uniquely staged, Paranormal Activity leans into the undeniable chemistry of its star performers while banging out fresh nightmare fuel for a new generation.
Set in the same universe as the Blumhouse favorites, this Paranormal Activity brings the action to the UK. Relocating from Chicago for job reasons, James (Travis A. Knight) and his emotional wife, Lou (Cher Álvarez), are hoping to have a baby of their own, and to fill their nursery with happy memories. What they left behind in Chicago still clings to Lou no matter how many anti-depressants she swallows. The shadows of the past threaten to invade their lives with a chilling ultimatum. As a freaky British podcast warns us before the stage even comes to life for the first time: places aren’t haunted—people are. Immaculate lighting design will make you think there’s a specter lurking in every window crack and behind every shower curtain.
From the first minute, this stage version establishes itself as a full-on assault of the senses. Not only are there memorable jump scares, but they are layered in with extremely shocking plot twists and genuinely horrific imagery. These are the kind of scares that will linger long afterward. Despite this aspect, act one in particular does a great job of establishing the flirtatious dynamic between Lou and James. The duo have a shorthand together, driven by a cutesy sarcasm that shines through even in darker situations. Plagued by video calls from James’s obsessive mother (Shannon Cochran), Lou lovingly refers to the woman as a targeted ad for childbirth. The actual depth to each character surprised me, diving deep into their past traumas and the origins of their relationship. Knight and Álvarez are completely believable as a real couple, making the descent into scary territory an especially disturbing one. The intimacy only a stage can provide exacerbates the physical connection between them, one which would only be possible in a movie using a plethora of closeups. That they manage to feel so connected despite the largeness of the space is a testament to the staging, and to the actual bond between the couple.
Speaking of the stage, the multiple tiers represent the new home of Lou and James. In this sprawling space, the titular paranormal activity occurs in full. Despite its size, this place still manages to feel incredibly creepy and imposing, as if anything could be lurking around the corner at any moment. The sequences where the lighting does the heavy lifting, including one where James traverses the second floor with only a flashlight in hand, are straight up phenomenal. An act two character has an entrance that is quite literally a jump scare in its own regard, and one of my favorite moments in the entire show. Though I have seen thousands of horror movies, many of these scares still managed to get under my skin, and put a serious shock to my face. The smallest sound or bang can result in a horrific cacophony of terror. This constant sense of paranoia completely envelops act two, which contains the most shocking and disturbing moments. Despite the grandiose nature of many sequences, the script by Levi Holloway never loses sight of its emotional core, or the phenomenal performances orbiting it.
Ultimately, any casual fan of the Paranormal Activity franchise will find something to enjoy here. Though there are laughs, the seriousness is never undercut by the darker humor. Not often does truly freaky, devilish material leave the entire audience howling in delight. This is pure horror theatre, a rarity on Broadway that simply must be seen to be believed. I struggle to even fathom that this was written by the same playwright as Grey House, which I really did not care for. The unnerving nature of these scares may drill into one’s very soul. It may make a believer among those in the audience who have no fear of ghosts, and those who do may may find an even chillier surprise in store. Bringing the communal experience of a properly scary movie to the stage could have been no easy feet, and yet producer Jason Blum and director Felix Barrett accomplish exactly that. Spooky and kooky, Paranormal Activity on Broadway is an instant classic.
Be wary of the Paranormal Activity that may follow you out into the streets of New York City, now playing performances at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre. For ticketing information, please head over to the official website.
