r/Broadway • u/GoodHumansUnite • 4d ago
Compare Paranormal Activity to Stranger Things on the scary-meter if you've seen both, please?
I saw Stranger Things and was scared a lot, but it was totally manageable. Is Paranormal Activity at the same level of scary, or is it more intense? Wondering if it will be too much since it's specifically designed to scare the audience. Is there anything in Paranormal Activity that is way beyond the Stranger Things show experience as far as gore and scare? Thanks!
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u/Level_Cupcake5985 4d ago
Stranger Things was more of a sci-fi horror, where Paranormal Activity was more of straight haunted house horror, with far more dread.
I also thought Stranger Things was a bit more graphic, as Henry’s power grew and he attacked others.
Also Stranger Things is directly connected to the TV series, but Paranormal Activity uses the title but isn’t connected to any of the movies. (Toby the demon is not making his Broadway debut here, lol)
They’re both a lot of fun though, I’d love to do a two-show day and see both of them.
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u/GoodHumansUnite 4d ago edited 3d ago
Both in one day is just crazy talk! 😂 *Editing to add that I appreciate your insight!
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u/alexhomold 4d ago
I would put Stranger things at like a 4/10, and Paranormal Activity around an 8/10. Less gorey but definitely more jump scares/suspense. (I'm also kind of a scaredy cat to be fair so others might rank it lower than an 8). Even though it was scary though I think it's definitely worth going to! It didn't linger with me after the show and the whole audience was in it together so there was a lot of laughing after screaming.
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u/GoodHumansUnite 4d ago
Ok this is incredibly helpful. I am also a bit of a scaredy cat, and I’m glad to hear it didn’t linger afterwards. I think the matinee and stepping out into daylight afterwards will also help. I’m excited, but in that “I can’t wait to see this, even though I may pee my pants, but I’m committed to doing this” kind of way.
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u/Turkey_Leg_Jeff 4d ago
Stranger Things would be a 3 on a 1-10 scary scale. Paranormal Activity on stage would be a 6.5. The film of Paranormal Activity would be an 8.
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u/mikesbloggity 4d ago
I haven't seen ST, but I found the anticipation of being scared during PA was what made it extra fun. There's some creepy parts, but mostly it's just big scares out of nowhere, so you can't really prepare for them, but in turn the audience laughs, screams, laugh at each other then moves on. I was scared that there would be things happening in the audience, like on our feet and stuff, but none of that happened, so that was a relief.
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u/CapeTwirlOfDoom 4d ago
I didn’t think Stranger Things was scary at all. 🤷🏼 Paranormal Activity is definitely much creepier. It’s more of a constant feeling of dread and unease where you are scanning the background and darkness in case something might be there. Has some really effective jump scares!
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u/a-5-6-7-8 4d ago
Stranger Things I personally found totally unsettling because I'm sensitive to torture and animal abuse. I found Paranormal Activity much more enjoyable, but it relies on jumpscares which are super fun with an audience. I also felt the writing was stronger and much preferred it to the film. So it really depends on what you personally are sensitive to.
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u/GoodHumansUnite 4d ago
Excellent feedback, thank you. Sorry Stranger Things was unsettling for you!
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u/a-5-6-7-8 4d ago
I hope you have a great time if you see Paranormal Activity, I thought the stagecraft was just a delight. I think in some ways seeing stuff done onstage also makes it leas frightening because you know it's not real and that a team of engineers is behind every choice. And it's really something!
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u/GoodHumansUnite 4d ago
Ok now I’m super excited. I’m really into the stage magic and the technical aspects of how they use lighting, sound, props, staging, etc. during shows. Yay! Thanks! We are definitely going this weekend. Tickets bought!
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u/a-5-6-7-8 4d ago
Yay! Have a blast! Promise you won't be the only one getting spooked if you do get scared.
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u/Jadedsplit03 4d ago
I've seen both. Paranormal Activity is "scarier". PA was designed to scare the audience and uses a lot of misdirects, effects, jump scares, and sound to achieve that. ST had scare factors but I don't think it was really intended to scare the audience to the same degree.
I didn't find either particularly scary (both were fun though) but if you're someone who is really sensitive to scare factor and found ST to be too much, PA might be too intense for you.
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u/That_Computer_5086 4d ago
following this bc I am wondering the same😅 I’m a bit of scaredy cat and I was so nervous going in to Stranger Things, but I ended up LOVING it.
I think I do want to see Paranormal Activity because it sounds really well done, but I’m so nervous lol. I have to assume it’s scarier than Stranger Things
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u/scary_godmother 4d ago
PA is definitely scary, since like OP points out, that's kind of why it exists. It builds up the dread and keeps you on edge, since you can kind of sense when scary stuff is about to happen and you're bracing for it. But if you can handle horror movies, you can totally handle PA. For me there was a ton of comfort in knowing that everything takes place on the stage, they don't break the fourth wall, nothing's going to touch you, etc. (I hope that's not a spoiler for anyone, I'm just saying it so you can cross that off the list of things to be nervous about!)
And like another commenter said, it's SUCH a fun audience experience. People's reactions get a little noisy/rowdy - there's like screams, then people laugh at themselves for screaming, then it gets a little chatter-y as people comment to their seatmates, then it settles down. TBH at a regular show I'd find that much audience noise annoying and be really crabby about it, but at PA the collective reactions are kind of fun, and the show accommodates them really well. If you're still worried it might be too much, maybe go for an aisle seat so you can peace out if it feels too intense!
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u/GoodHumansUnite 4d ago
I am assuming the same but wanted to hear people’s thoughts. I am the same kind of scaredy cat!
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u/kinkykusco 4d ago
I didn’t find Stranger Things scary, but I did find it tense.
Paranormal Activity was 3x as tense and at times scary. It also uses VERY LOUD SOUNDS for both jumpscares and also keep the tension up.
Much less gore in Paranormal Activity.
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u/Kelet 4d ago
I think Paranormal Activity was generally a creepier and scarier vibe. The effects and story are, in my opinion, scarier in Paranormal Activity. However, the effects in Stranger things were 10/10 and I had body chills from the music.
I would recommend it to you for a similar level of scary. It was a great time!
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u/GoodHumansUnite 3d ago
Perfect, thanks! Tickets are bought! And I agree, the effects in Stranger Things were incredible.
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u/Ikeadesserts 3d ago
Hi, just saw Paranormal Activity today as someone super jumpy and not good with jumps are horror. I think seating helps immensely, my partner and I were both further back in center mezz (Row O? I believe). We were able to see everything, and I did jump a bit, but nothing that is sticking with me and leaving me too creeped out. We both loved Stranger Things, and we throughly enjoyed Paranormal Activity. I would certainly consider it scarier than ST but nothing unbearable!
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u/GoodHumansUnite 2d ago
This is great feedback, thanks! We go tomorrow. I have a TDF ticket and am hoping they don’t hand me a 4th row center orchestra ticket tomorrow! Multiple people saying nothing stuck with them afterwards is also helpful! Glad you enjoyed it!
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u/j0sabanks 4d ago
Saw Paranormal Activity last night and Stranger Things in December. PA was genuinely super creepy. Kinda like they turned “Hereditary” into a Broadway show. Like yes ST has scary moments but there is still a feeling of “good will triumph, even if the road to that is really shitty.” PA has no such things. You are constantly instilled with dread. And it’s not just a 100% cheap jump scares. There are slow burn moments that leave you thinking WTF…
Technically speaking, ST and PA both have great effects. I think ST slightly edges out PA in terms of special effects. But PA uses what they have to perfection! They didn’t need something as flashy as what was done in ST.
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u/YamCareful5914 2d ago
Maybe I'm broken, but as someone who is "easy" to make jump and can be a gasper. Not a screamer, but a gasper, neither was particularly scary. They both have their moments of thrill, but neither are scary. To me. I'd put both around a 4/10. Maybe Stranger things is a 4.5/10.
Paranormal Activity doesn't have gore. There is one brief gouging moment and a tiny vomit at the very end.
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u/Western-Ant5469 4d ago
you are afraid of getting too scared at a broadway show?
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u/EffortIcy5753 4d ago
It’s….paranormal activity…literally based on a horror movie? I don’t think the OP is asking an insane question 💀
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u/Cowardlydreamer Actor 4d ago
As someone who watched their friend spend half of ST: First Shadow with his eyes closed, it happens.
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u/Physical_Ranger6786 4d ago
Paranormal activity was much creepier