Area 51 (film)

Area 51
Theatrical poster
Directed by	Oren Peli
Produced by	Steven Schneider Jason Blum Oren Peli
Written by	Oren Peli
Starring	Sandra Staggs Roy Abramsohn David Saucedo Glenn Campbell Jelena Nik
Edited by	Jake York
Production company	Insurge Pictures Aramid Entertainment Fund Blumhouse Productions IM Global Incentive Filmed Entertainment Room 101
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date	May 15, 2015
Running time	95 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$5 million
Box office	$7,556

Area 51 is a 2015 American found footage science fiction horror film, written and directed by Oren Peli. The film stars Benjamin Rovner, Reid Warner and Darrin Bragg. The film was released in a limited release and through video on demand on May 15, 2015 by Paramount Insurge.

In a series of interviews conducted by friends, family and experts, discuss the sudden disappearance of Reid, Darren and Ben, three best friends who are also conspiracy theorists. Reid, who is the leader of the pack, is noted by his sister and colleagues for changing his behavior and lifestyle; in the three months leading up to his disappearance, Reid becomes obsessed with UFOs, extraterrestrial encounters and Area 51. This obsession leads him to losing his job and distancing himself from his family.

Next, a shaky camcorder records Reid, Darren and Ben driving to a house party. At the party, they have lots of fun, but when Reid is dared into performing karaoke, he disappears after a brief blackout occurs. Thinking he just took off, Darren and Ben continue partying without him. On their way home, the two of them encounter Reid standing in the middle of the road. Despite appearing dazed and quietsome, Reid says he's fine. The film then forwards three months later to where Reid, Darren and Ben are seen packing for a trip to Area 51, which they plan to break into. They have extensive equipment to help them break in including a machine that knocks out cellphone signals, night vision goggles and pills to mask their ammonia levels since the base has ammonia detectors.

The group travels to Las Vegas, where they meet Reid's friend, Jelena, another conspiracy theorist. Jelena reveals her father was an employee at Area 51, but was terminated from his job for "asking too many questions". Upon his death, he made Jelena hide all his secret files regarding the base before authorities could seize them. While reviewing her father's documents in a storage locker, Jelena explains the true Area 51 base is in fact a mile below ground. She also mentions that her father was particularly interested in a top-secret section only known as "S4". They uncover a photograph of an elderly man, who Jelena claims her father was constantly following.

Reid and the guys agree the elderly man must be of great value to the base and as such, must have very high security clearance. To track him down, the trio park at the JANET terminal of McCarran International Airport, wherein Reid mentions its rumored meaning, "Just Another Non Existent Terminal". Watching passengers disembark from unmarked Boeing 737's, they spot the elderly man leaving the terminal in his car much to their amazement. They follow him to his home out in the suburbs and wait for nightfall. A few hours later, they watch the elderly man drive off. Reid uses the opportunity to sneak into his home via the garage door. Darren chases after him while Ben waits in the car.