Para-Normal

Here's a (questionable) reading of Paranormal Activity, seeing it as a parable for domestic abuse. Let me warn everyone the essay gives away major plot points.

But what caught my eye was this: "A psychic is invited into their home on two occasions. He is characterized as being ridiculously ineffective though."

Funny, I thought he was portrayed as assured, rational, completely with it. Yes, he recognizes his limits--he understands ghosts, demons, etc., but is not qualified to remove them--and recommends another paranormal expert for further aid, but he also fully senses what's going on, in ways the main couple does not.

I guess I reacted that way because in real life such psychics are nutcases and frauds, and to see, in a "realistic" horror film, such a character being completely correct struck me as absurd. But I suppose in a world where you do, in fact, have supernatural events openly occurring, people like the psychic wouldn't be creeps and crackpots.

(This reminds me of the problem I had with The X-Files. I real life, Scully the skeptic would be right every time, while Mulder would be a kook who shouldn't be allowed to hold any position of responsibility. But in the world of the show, the only thing that makes no sense is how Scully can remain a skeptic.)