Paranormal Activity is an American supernatural horror film series consisting of six films. Created by Oren Peli, the original film was widely released in 2009. The films are based around a family haunted by a demon that stalks, terrifies and ultimately murders several members of the family and other bystanders during the course of the films. The series makes use of production cameras set up and used like security cameras or other recording devices in an attempt to present the films as found footage. The series has received mixed reviews, with the first and third films receiving generally positive critical reception, while the second film as well as the spin-off, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, received more lukewarm receptions and the fourth and sixth received mostly negative recept