Broadway’s latest adaptation trend continues with “Paranormal Activity,” a stage production based on the 2007 film that arrives at the August Wilson Theatre following sold-out runs in Los Angeles and a West End debut. However, the theatrical version fails to deliver compelling scares despite advance buzz. Rather than creating genuine dread, the production relies on predictable jump-scare tactics that quickly lose their impact, leaving audiences more amused than frightened.
Written by Levi Holloway and directed by Felix Barrett, the play tells an entirely new story featuring an American couple navigating supernatural occurrences in their London home. The narrative bears little resemblance to the franchise that inspired it, abandoning the found-footage format and creature mythology in favor of a domestic horror setting. While the cast, including Travis A. Knight and Cher Álvarez, delivers intensity in their performances, the emotional core remains undermined by predictable plot mechanics that leave character development feeling shallow.
The production struggles to match the immersive spectacle contemporary Broadway audiences expect. Unlike successful recent horror adaptations such as “The Lost Boys: A New Musical” or even Holloway’s own previous work “Grey House,” this staging keeps viewers at a distance rather than drawing them into the experience. The confined set and unclear visual direction leave audiences uncertain where to focus their attention, resulting in frequent missed scares.
Scheduled through January 3, “Paranormal Activity” appears positioned as seasonal entertainment rather than a lasting theatrical achievement. The show represents another shallow adaptation relying on recognizable intellectual property, occupying Broadway space that might otherwise host more daring original work designed to genuinely unsettle audiences.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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