It Runs In The Family|Oct. 19, 2011|United States|83 Min.|R
Genre: Horror;Mystery;Thriller
Description: Paranormal Activity 3 (2011) is a gripping horror film that delves into the mysterious events surrounding a family in 1988. The story begins in 2005 when Katie delivers a box of old videotapes to her sister Kristi Rey and her husband Daniel. These tapes contain footage of Katie and Kristi’s childhood with their mother, Julie, and her boyfriend Dennis. A year later, Kristi and Daniel’s house is burglarized, and the tapes go missing.
The VHS footage, dated back to 1988, forms the core of the narrative. A young Katie and Kristi live with their mother Julie and boyfriend Dennis. Dennis begins to notice strange occurrences in the house after Kristi starts talking to her imaginary friend, “Tobi.” After capturing an earthquake on camera and spotting an invisible figure in the footage, Dennis is advised by his friend Randy to install cameras throughout the house.
As the investigation deepens, a babysitter named Lisa becomes too terrified to stay after witnessing several frightening incidents. Kristi eventually tells Tobi they are no longer friends, but the disturbances escalate. Dennis discovers a mysterious symbol in the girls’ closet, which he later identifies as belonging to a witches’ coven that manipulates young girls into bearing sons and then forces them to forget the experience.
When Kristi falls ill, Julie and Dennis take her to the hospital, leaving Katie at home with Randy. During their absence, a dark figure attacks them, violently moving furniture and leaving Randy injured. Dennis later explains the coven’s sinister purpose to Julie, but she dismisses his claims.
The demon continues to torment Katie until Kristi complies with its demands. Kristi convinces Julie to take the family to their grandmother Lois’s house in Moorpark, California. During the night, loud disturbances awaken the family, and Julie goes to investigate. When she doesn’t return, Dennis follows and uncovers occult imagery, including the symbol from the girls’ room. He discovers several women, including Lois, dressed in black and performing a ritual.
Dennis retreats to the house, pursued by the women, and finds Julie’s lifeless body levitating before it is hurled at him. He hides with Kristi in a closet but is eventually killed by Katie and Lois. The film ends with Lois summoning Kristi and Katie, hinting at a dark destiny as growling sounds echo from upstairs.
Cast director: Henry Joost
Cast actor: Katie Featherston, Sprague Grayden, Lauren Bittner, Christopher Nicholas Smith, Chloe Csengery, Jessica Tyler Brown, Marilyn Alex, Dustin Ingram, Jessica Berger, Maria Olsen
Original name: Paranormal Activity 3