Finding Mysterious Footage in Paranormal Activity 4: Trailer Analysis

The social media experiment is back in Paranormal Activity 4. With the full trailer released August 1, it shows a recap of first three movies and how they tie together. Katie is possessed. In theory, she has taken Hunter, Kristi’s son, and somehow they tie into how the two sisters have become part of a coven. This is a detail they have conveniently forgotten now that they are adults. Also, this detail is required for astute viewers following this franchise.

With the fourth, a pretty blonde girl, Alex, is soon revealed to be chatting with a boy, and talking about the strange problems going on—namely lights turning off on their own—in the homestead. She talks about the new neighbours which creeps her out and also about how often she spots a young boy standing outside, for no particular reason. The way he poses in an empty courtyard is almost in the same style as Father Merrin from The Exorcist, with hints of Let the Right One In. Missing is the fog and cab, but when he turns to look up at Alex, the fear is being heightened.

One other detail to note is how the boy, presumably Hunter, is emphasized with two shadows. One light source is apparent, but the other is not. Is one the image of the demon, or a force that has possessed the young lad?

At least this film is updated for the ages. Alex is chatting via webcam, and the picture-in-picture mode may become a prominent part of the film as events unfold from her point of view. Gone are the clunky camcorders and in is a new form of telecommunications.

If this movie does move in the direction of at least defining who the viewer is of the movie, then some originality is finally being introduced. To have fans texting to get more information is a ploy commonly found with marketing gimmicks, and that can be ignored. But to hear any words of who is watching events unfold can become a nice narrative technique, if that is what writers Zack Estrin and Oren Peli are planning. Found footage films can only go so far before becoming very mundane and boring. Fresh techniques are needed if this genre is to survive.

View the trailer for Paranormal Activity 4 here:

The film's fan page is here:

Paranormal Activity 4 on Facebook


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