Welcome to the first annual—perhaps the only—Pepper Bough Halloween Movie Tournament!

Over the next nine school days, you will have the opportunity to vote for your favorite horror movies from this century, with the champion being crowned on none other than Halloween night.

The game is simple. Like any tournament, we have set up brackets in which horror movies can square off against each other in individual matchups. On each entry, there will be a poll for you to vote for your favorite of the two. The winner will move on to the next round.

Today’s first round match-up is . . .

4. It Follows vs. 5. Paranormal Activity

Our staff has put together some defense for each film. Take a look, then make your vote!

Should you watch “It Follows”? It is about a curse that gets passed around and it can appear as anyone. It doesn’t speak or run, and it will follow you no matter where you go. And if you let it touch you . . . The only way to get rid of it is to have sex with someone. Yes, it’s a very weird concept, but it works as a metaphor for STDs. This is funny because director David Robert Mitchell somehow turned the concept of STDs into a horror movie and made it the right amount of scary.

Horror movies are always scary when set in a a far fetched fictional setting, like a zombie apocalypse. But how are you supposed to keep your composure when a movie is set in a house just like yours? Even further than that, a bedroom just like yours where you’re supposed to find comfort and rest? Almost seems like the same things that are happening in the movie could happen to you too. “Paranormal Activity” is about a couple dealing with a supernatural being invading their home that becomes progressively more aggressive each night. It’s found footage style makes it feel more human too, as the characters interact with the camera in a way as if it’s not actually a movie. Watching this movie suddenly makes you feel conscious about leaving your feet peaking out your blanket at night, or when you hear your door creak slightly… and were those footsteps you just heard?! Good luck having a good night’s sleep after watching “Paranormal Activity.”