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Paranormal Activity 2: It’s been 10 years since one of the best jump scares of all time

 (Rex Features)
(Rex Features)

The Paranormal Activity franchise crammed a lot in while it lasted.

Arriving in the UK after festival buzz in 2009, the first film had a very simple premise: a couple try to catch the ghostly goings-on in their house with a video camera.

Over the following six films, what started out as a haunted house story turned into a family saga involving witchcraft, mysterious portals and a demon named Toby.

The critics weren’t always kind to the franchise, but it did always find new ways of deploying its found footage element – and constantly delivered on the jump scares.

No jump scare was bigger, though, than one that featured in Paranormal Activity 2, which was released 10 years ago this month.

The scene in question takes place in the kitchen of Kristi (Sprague Grayden), the sister of the main character from the first film (Katie Featherston).

Kristi is shown taking some time out in her kitchen. The camera – set up as CCTV in her house – shows her sat on a kitchen bar stool for a good 25 seconds.

All is silent until... well, watch for yourself below and find out.

The Paranormal Activity franchise, which seemingly came to an end in 2015, is in the process of being revived.

A seventh film is scheduled to arrive in March 2022.

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