By AJ Jaffari

What happens when fear refuses to stay confined to the screen? A.C.T.’s stage adaptation of Paranormal Activity dares to translate the quiet dread of the cult horror film into a live theatrical experience, where every creak, shadow, and silence feels amplified. Stripped of cinematic jump cuts and handheld cameras, the story leans instead on atmosphere and anticipation, asking whether what we imagine might be far more terrifying than what we see.

Centered on a couple unsettled by unexplained disturbances in their home, the production explores how paranoia, belief, and vulnerability can fracture even the most stable relationships. A.C.T. embraces the intimacy of live performance to heighten that tension, crafting an evening that invites audiences to sit in the dark—and listen.

Honestly? This was the most impressive horror play I’ve ever seen. Even days later, as I sit down to gather my thoughts, I find myself replaying certain moments in my head. Rest assured, this will remain a spoiler-free review. What I can speak to, though, is the extraordinary level of talent and precision it took to bring such a uniquely chilling experience to life on stage.

I went in knowing the film isn’t exactly my favorite horror flick, so I was curious how this story would translate to the stage. Without the benefit of cinematic jump cuts, the production elements themselves had to become characters in their own right. The plot began a bit slowly for my personal taste, but once the first major “trick” was executed, the momentum shifted. From that point on, I genuinely never knew which direction the story would take, and that unpredictability made for a far more thrilling experience.

Fly Davis’s set design immediately draws you in, with an eerie black facade that rises and reveals itself scene by scene. Almost dollhouse-like, the house of Lou and James feels like a two-story modern English charmer—beautiful yet unsettling. I loved being able to see multiple rooms at once; it created a constant sense of anticipation, as your eyes never quite knew where to land or where the next disturbance might occur.

Gareth Fry’s sound design was among the most chilling I’ve ever encountered in a theatre. While loud and jarring at times, it felt intentional—shock was part of the experience. The sound didn’t just complement the scares; it drove them. I found the endings of scenes particularly haunting, each one leaving the audience suspended in unease.

And perhaps the most jaw-dropping element of all were the illusions designed by Chris Fisher. I am still trying to figure out how several of them were accomplished. There is one moment in Act I that elicited the most audible reaction from the audience—and it remains vivid in my mind days later. I can confidently say I’ve never experienced a play quite like this before; it’s unlike anything I can compare it to.

A production this well executed deserves a long run, but Paranormal Activity is only haunting San Francisco for a limited engagement this March. If you’re a South Bay local like me, it’s absolutely worth making the trek into the city—especially if you’re in the mood for a genuinely spooky night out to close out the winter season.

Paranormal Activity runs through March 22 and tickets are available here.