Blumhouse Producer Jason Blum Praises Broadways Paranormal Activity Play as First Truly Scary Stage Experience
When the lights dimmed on Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre in early September 2026, even a veteran of the horror genre found his nerves rattling. Jason Blum, the founder of Blumhouse Productions, publicly declared the stage adaptation of Paranormal Activity the first live show that genuinely frightened him.
The production, written by Levi Holloway, directed by Felix Barrett of Punchdrunk, and designed by illusionist Chris Fisher, follows a newly married couple who move from Chicago to a London house and begin to experience unsettling phenomena. After a run in London, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Toronto and Boston, the play opened on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre.
Blum, who produced the original 2007 film and later titles such as Get Out, Insidious and Five Nights at Freddy’s, noted that he had attended 25 horror‑themed plays before this one. He said, “24 of those productions came off goofy or you’re not scared at all. The 25th, the stage version of the franchise, made me scared.” His comment highlights how the play replicates the tension of the movies without relying on camera tricks.
The set, a two‑story, multi‑room house designed by Fly Davis, is deliberately dark, with empty rooms that let the audience’s imagination fill in the gaps. Simple effects—flickering television, candles snuffed, shadows appearing, blankets pulled—create a sense of dread. Barrett, who previously created the immersive hit Sleep No More, said the play’s success comes from grounding the horror in a relatable domestic drama and then letting the scares emerge naturally.
Variety described the show as delivering “more thrills, chills and screams than Broadway has seen in years,” while Entertainment Weekly called it “two hours and 20 minutes of hair‑raising, heart‑pounding, and blood‑curdling horror mixed with a dash of unexpected heart and humor.” The production’s limited 20‑week engagement on Broadway follows its West End premiere at the Ambassadors Theatre on December 5, 2025, after a 2024 debut at Leeds Playhouse.
Blumhouse’s investment in the production reflects the studio’s long‑standing interest in horror. Founded in 2000, Blumhouse has produced a range of low‑budget horror titles, including the Paranormal Activity series, The Purge, The Creep franchise and the Halloween reboots. The company’s model of high‑concept, modest‑budget films has earned it a reputation for consistently profitable releases.
Felix Barrett emphasized that the play’s success lies in “less is more.” He noted that earlier drafts contained more overt scares, which were trimmed to preserve impact. The production also incorporates humor, a technique Holloway used to give audiences moments of levity before the tension escalates.
The play’s reception suggests that horror can translate effectively to the stage when grounded in strong character work and subtle, well‑timed effects. Barrett expressed hope that other theatre makers will experiment with the genre, each bringing their own approach.
As of September 2026, Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Stage remains in its 20‑week Broadway run, drawing audiences who seek a visceral horror experience without the reliance on film‑style camera work. The production’s success may encourage further adaptations of horror franchises for live theatre.
