Paranormal Activity:
The Ultimate Chills Collection
review by Bobby Blakey
Who would have thought when the low budget film Paranormal Activity debuted in 2007 it would not only put Blumhouse on the map as the premiere horror production company, but also score over 800 million dollars and spawn a franchise. From 2010 to 2015 they released a new chapter of the series every October with each connecting in some way to the bigger story. After the final chapter Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension it seemed as the series had come to an end, but in 2021 the franchise returned with Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin.
The franchise kicked off with Paranormal Activity that followed a couple who become increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence after moving into a suburban home. In the follow up aptly titled Paranormal Activity a family sets up security cameras around their home, after experiencing what they think are a series of "break-ins", only to realize that the events unfolding before them are more sinister than they seem.
In the third chapter of the film they took it back to a prequel that follows young sisters Katie and Kristi who befriend an invisible entity who resides in their home Name Toby In 1988. In Paranormal Activity 4 they headed back after the events of the original film where it’s been five years since the disappearance of Katie and Hunter, and a suburban family witness strange events in their neighborhood when a woman and a mysterious child move in.
Throughout these first 4 chapters the film kept the same formula intact to successful results. I never thought any of these films were as scary as everyone made them out to be, but still loved them all for what they were doing. It brought some interesting use to the found footage genre and managed to offer up some fun cool stories. I think the prequel direction of part 3 helped to infuse something new to the story while allowing it to keep moving it forward with 4 that offered up a great twist.
With chapter 5, The Marked Ones, it seemed to be taking the series in a new direction and followed a young man who becomes the target of a malevolent entity and he must uncover its true intentions before it takes complete control of him. It’s big twist coming with its true connections made it yet another enjoyable entry. Chapter 6, The Ghost Dimension follows a family that must protect their daughter from an evil entity with a sinister plan. This film kept all the same focus and direction, but was the first film in the franchise to not mark the return of Katy Featherston although she is mentioned. It seemed as though after these last two chapters that the franchise was done, but in 2021 a new chapter popped up on Paramount+.
Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin follows a documentary filmmaker, Margot, as she heads to a secluded Amish community in the hopes of meeting and learning about her long-lost mother and extended family. Following a string of strange occurrences and discoveries, she soon realizes this community that welcomed them into their home might be hiding something sinister.
This chapter is a whole other animal than its predecessors injecting new needed life into the franchise while still being familiar. I dug the visuals and bigger scope to this one. It drags at times, but the payoff is worth it that is different than what we have experienced in the past.
For the first time in one complete set, all seven terrifying Paranormal Activity movies are here together in Paranormal Activity: The Ultimate Chills Collection. This limited-edition, collector’s set includes the latest chapter on Blu-ray for the first time: Paranormal Activity: Next Of Kin, which debuted exclusively on Paramount+.
Packed with chills and horrifying surprises, this must-own collection also features the 90+ minute documentary Unknown Dimension: The Story Of Paranormal Activity. This definitive documentary chronicles the complete story of Paranormal Activity from indie sensation to blockbuster franchise. Featuring interviews with cast and crew, newly revealed footage from the terrifying films, and insight from fans, it’s a must-see exploration of the movies that reimagined the “found footage” genre for a whole new generation of viewers.
Paranormal Activity: The Ultimate Chills Collection includes 9 Blu-ray discs, including the out-of-print 3D Blu-ray of Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, digital codes for each film, and an exclusive “home security sticker”—all housed in deluxe packaging containing reversible artwork for each title.
Head back into the world of the paranormal when the Paranormal Activity: The Ultimate Chills Collection hits Blu-ray on October 11th from Paramount Home Entertainment.
