The iconic horror franchise gets a theatrical makeover in the spooky stage play Paranormal Activity. This new story mirrors the style, structure, and escalating dread of the six-film series. But make no mistake: while there’s an emotional spine holding the narrative together, it’s the special effects designed by illusionist Chris Fisher (the mastermind behind the jaw-dropping moments in Stranger Things: The First Shadow and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) that audiences will be buzzing about long after they’ve exited the theater. This production is built on “how did they do THAT?” energy, and it delivers.
The plot centers on Lou (Cher Alvarez) and James (Patrick Heusinger), an American couple who’ve just relocated to London for James’s job. They’ve been placed in a lovely craftsman-style home, the sort of quaint London dwelling that practically begs to be haunted. And as far as Lou is concerned, there’s already enough to deal with. They’re putting an ocean between themselves and James’s mother, Carolanne, played by Shannon Cochran, with an enjoyably meddling edge. (And yes, naming her after “Carolanne” is a delightful wink to Poltergeist.)
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Carolanne’s anxiety isn’t entirely unwarranted. There’s a history with Lou’s mental health, a series of incidents back in Chicago that still cast a shadow. But Lou insists she’s fine, and for a brief moment, the newly arrived couple actually believes they’re about to embark on a fresh start.
Then the creepy stuff begins.
At first, it’s the small things: power outages, water faucets turning on by themselves, doors that refuse to stay closed. But as Lou becomes convinced something supernatural is inside the house – and as James tries very, very hard to be the rational one – the audience watches their grip on reality begin to slip. Once James finally accepts that something is happening, they call in the wonderfully quirky ghost-hunting podcaster Etheline Cotgrave (Kate Fry). Let’s just say her visit doesn’t go well, and the haunting escalates into a full-force assault. Along the way, the couple’s buried secrets snap to the surface, offering clues to who or what might be tormenting their home.
To be clear, the story of Paranormal Activity isn’t breaking new ground. A couple moves into a house. Weird things occur. Trauma resurfaces. Something sinister demands attention. It’s Horror 101. But seeing this kind of story unfold live gives it a fresh charge. One of the defining traits of the films is the found-footage style that encourages audiences to scan every corner for a flicker of movement. The stage production cleverly replicates that feeling. With Gareth Fry’s sound design building the franchise’s signature low, ominous rumble (the audio clue that a scare is coming), the entire house set becomes a minefield of suspense. The two-story design ensures the audience’s eyes are constantly darting, trying to anticipate which hallway, staircase, or shadowy nook will erupt next.
And many of those moments truly land. The audience I saw it with screamed, gasped, clutched strangers, and occasionally laughed just to release the tension. I won’t spoil a single effect, but several of them are as impressive as anything I’ve seen in a Broadway-scale thriller.
As directed by Felix Barrett (Sleep No More) and restaged by the show’s playwright Levi Holloway (The Grey House), the pacing is tight, the atmosphere immersive, and the commitment to the franchise’s tone surprisingly faithful. There are, however, a few drawbacks. The actors’ volume is often so low that major plot points get swallowed, perhaps intentionally, to make the audience lean in before a scare hits with a jump-worthy jolt. Effective, yes, but occasionally frustrating. (This tactic was used purposely in the horror classic The Exorcist.) The second act is also dimly lit to the point of murkiness, which contributes to the mood but sometimes makes it difficult to see who’s where and what’s happening.
Still, those issues don’t sink the production. If anything, they feel like growing pains for a show experimenting with how far live theater can push 21st-century horror. And as someone who genuinely loves the Paranormal Activity films, I wasn’t convinced the franchise would translate to a stage. Turns out, it absolutely does.
For fans of the movies, this is a must-see. For theatergoers looking for something different, atmospheric, and seasonally spooky, this is a wildly entertaining night out. Paranormal Activity isn’t just a theatrical adaptation; it’s a reminder that live theater, with the right team, can still find thrilling new ways to make an entire audience jump out of their seats.
Paranormal Activity runs through December 7th at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles.
For tickets, visit www.centertheatregroup.org.
