Paranormal parody quickly peters out in A Haunted House

Not be confused with the Wayans brothers’ superior Scary Movie franchise, A Haunted House aims its satire at Paranormal Activity. And, like Paranormal Activity, it pretends as if it’s a homemade movie documenting the strange going-ons in a couple’s home. Problem is, the joke runs thin quickly, making its 86-minute running time seem like an eternity.

Marlon Wayans, who also wrote the script, stars as Malcolm, a bachelor who takes the plunge when he invites his girlfriend Kisha (Essence Atkins) to come live with him. Little does he realize, however, that she has had trouble with a particularly mean-spirited ghost who subsequently follows her into the house. Already documenting everything that happens in his life via video, Malcolm begins to shoot some of the paranormal activity and has Dan the Security Man (David Koechner) install additional cameras. He also calls a psychic chip (Nick Swardson) to the home. Chip is gay and can’t hide the fact that he has the hots for Malcolm and Dan is racist, so their appearances are good for a few funny situations. But they reappear again and again, telling the same tired jokes and wearing out their welcome.

As the ghost becomes increasingly violent (violating both Kisha and Malcolm), Malcolm resorts to his last hope and calls Father Doug Williams (Cedric the Entertainer) to conduct an exorcism. Trouble is, Father Doug was a minister in jail and has no idea how to properly cleanse a home. Again, his appearance is good for a couple of laughable lines but, like the rest of the film, quickly gets old.

Much like the movie it parodies, A Haunted House is a very slow build that never pays off in the way you hoped it might.