Reviews: A Haunted House (2013) Movie Review / Ending Explained
Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Comedy, Demons
Subgenres: Comedy, Found Footage, Haunted House, Haunted House - Cursed, Sci-Fi
Our honest review of A Haunted House (2013) breaks down its scares, pacing, and whether this horror movie truly stands the test of time.
A Haunted House (2013) – A Spoof So Wild It’s Possessed with Laughs and Mayhem
A Haunted House (2013) is a horror-comedy hybrid that fully embraces the found-footage format and turns it upside down with over-the-top parody. Directed by Michael Tiddes and led by Marlon Wayans, the film takes jabs at modern supernatural films like Paranormal Activity, The Devil Inside, and The Possession, offering a whirlwind of outrageous humor, ridiculous scares, and full-throttle energy that rarely takes a breath.
When the Paranormal Meets Pure Parody, Expect Chaos in Every Corner
The story follows Malcolm, a carefree guy excited to move in with his girlfriend Kisha. Things start off romantic—but quickly spiral into total madness when strange occurrences take over their suburban home. From possessed dolls to creepy mediums and bizarre surveillance footage, Malcolm finds himself in a battle not just against spirits, but also against an increasingly strange set of side characters and escalating supernatural absurdities.
Performances, Tone, and Comedic Direction
Marlon Wayans brings full commitment to the chaos, channeling physical comedy, improvisation, and nonstop reactions to every eerie moment. His performance holds the film together, delivering outrageous punchlines and exaggerated responses to every paranormal twist. Essence Atkins as Kisha adds her own flair, especially as her character’s transformation into a possessed, unpredictable force becomes central to the film’s second half.
The tone is unapologetically wild. There are no subtle scares or clever buildups here—everything is played for laughs, and most jokes are delivered in rapid-fire style. The film doesn’t hide its identity: it’s a parody that thrives on shock humor, awkward encounters, and overblown reactions to familiar horror setups.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Michael Tiddes directs with a keen eye on horror trends, using the found-footage aesthetic to full comedic advantage. While the setup mimics the style of a haunted house thriller, the content is pure sketch-comedy chaos.
Strengths:
High-energy comedy that targets familiar horror tropes
Strong lead performance that keeps the pace alive
Well-timed parodies of popular supernatural films
Uses found-footage style for exaggerated effect
Great for fans who love raunchy humor and horror sendups
Weaknesses:
Humor can be hit-or-miss, depending on viewer taste
Storyline is loose and secondary to the gags
Repetition of jokes in some scenes
Less appeal for audiences expecting true horror
Final Verdict & Score: 5/10
A Haunted House earns a 5 out of 10, mirroring its chaotic, uneven blend of laughs and lampoons. While not a polished horror experience, the film succeeds as a genre send-up that knows its audience. It’s a fun ride for fans of offbeat parody, crude jokes, and loud reactions—less so for those seeking coherent narrative or nuanced scares.
Who Will Enjoy It
Fans of spoof comedies like Scary Movie or Not Another Teen Movie
Viewers familiar with modern supernatural horror films
Audiences who enjoy fast-paced, joke-heavy satire
Comedy lovers who don’t mind over-the-top adult humor
Who Might Be Disappointed
Horror fans seeking actual scares or suspense
Viewers who prefer subtle or smart comedy
Audiences uncomfortable with slapstick or risqué content
Those unfamiliar with the horror films being parodied
Most Asked Questions About A Haunted House (2013)
Is A Haunted House a parody of Paranormal Activity?
Yes. A Haunted House is a full-blown parody of Paranormal Activity and other found-footage supernatural films. It uses the same home surveillance setup, eerie nighttime footage, and possession tropes—but replaces tension with over-the-top comedy and absurd humor.
What is Kisha possessed by in A Haunted House?
Kisha becomes possessed by a dark entity after moving in with Malcolm. While the film doesn’t provide deep lore, the possession plays out in exaggerated and ridiculous ways—ranging from wild mood swings to destructive outbursts—all played for maximum comedic effect rather than true horror.
Who plays the psychic and the priest in A Haunted House?
The psychic is portrayed as a flamboyant, eccentric character meant to mock dramatic mediums seen in horror films. The priest, Father Doug, is a parody of classic exorcists, delivering dramatic one-liners and participating in a chaotic “cleansing” scene that goes off the rails.
Is A Haunted House connected to the Scary Movie series?
No. While Marlon Wayans was a major part of the Scary Movie franchise, A Haunted House is a separate project. It carries a similar comedic tone and style but is not officially linked to those films. It instead focuses specifically on spoofing modern supernatural horror.
What is the tone of the movie—comedy or horror?
The tone is overwhelmingly comedic. A Haunted House uses horror settings as a backdrop for nonstop jokes, gags, and exaggerated performances. There are no serious scares. Even the most intense moments are quickly undercut with physical comedy or dialogue meant to shock and amuse.
Is there a sequel to A Haunted House?
Yes. Due to the film’s cult success, a sequel titled A Haunted House 2 was released. It continues the parody format, targeting newer horror films while expanding the chaotic antics of Malcolm and a new set of possessed problems.
What’s the main theme of A Haunted House?
While largely a spoof, the underlying theme plays on fear of commitment and domestic life. Malcolm’s experience with Kisha’s possession mirrors anxieties about living together, losing control, and dealing with unexpected changes in a relationship—all presented in a wildly exaggerated way.
Is A Haunted House appropriate for all ages?
No. The film contains adult-themed humor, suggestive scenes, and crude language. It’s intended for mature audiences who enjoy edgy comedy and satire. It’s not suitable for children or viewers sensitive to risqué content.
A Haunted House (2013) – Ending Explained
In the final act of A Haunted House, Malcolm decides to take on the demon tormenting his home and girlfriend head-on. After a failed psychic consultation and an out-of-control exorcism by Father Doug, Malcolm is left to battle the demonic force himself—armed with little more than sarcasm, frustration, and a baseball bat.
Kisha’s possession intensifies, leading to a chaotic confrontation filled with slapstick-style brawls and improvised attempts to banish the evil spirit. The film crescendos with a found-footage showdown that’s more ridiculous than terrifying, as Malcolm tries everything from yelling to bribing the demon to leave.
Eventually, the demon appears to leave—but not before Kisha pulls one last possessed stunt. She vanishes, and Malcolm wakes to find her standing over him with glowing eyes, suggesting the horror (and the comedy) isn’t quite over.
The film closes on an open-ended note, teasing that while Malcolm might have survived the night, he hasn’t escaped the madness. It’s a setup for more laughs in the sequel, not a traditional horror wrap-up.
Featured movie quotes for A Haunted House are here.
Similar films like A Haunted House can be found in demon movies sub-genre(s), check them out for more movies like A Haunted House.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- A Haunted House Rating Scores
- Our Score: 5/10
- Overall Score: 3.51/10
- IMDB: 5.1/10
- MetaCritic: 2.0/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 1.0/10
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