Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021)

This is unlike the franchise's usual style, so I'm not sure why it bears the Paranormal Franchise brand. Even when separated from the franchise, the film fails to impress as a horror thriller. If you thought the characters in the last Paranormal Activity made some odd choices, this one tops them all. “If there's a secret door behind the cabinet, I'll open it. If there's a big hole under the church with marks of sacrifice, I'll go down there.” This was so different from previous entries in the franchise that it actually worked to the film's advantage in building tension, as the viewer never quite knows what to expect. At the film's climax, however, everything falls apart; despite a semi-satisfying twist, the whole thing feels anticlimactic and pointless. I wouldn't recommend this film to anyone, not even the most devoted fans of the franchise, because not only is it mediocre, but it also has nothing to do with the other entries in the series and accomplishes nothing plot-wise. ___ Rating: **4.9/10** *(Meh, More Unfavourable than Favourable)*