Paranormal Activity: Parente prossimo

'Paranormal Activity' films used to be the staple of every Halloween. They were remarkably consistent right up until the very unfortunate 'Ghost Dimension' which killed the series. Now, years later, we have another entry in the 'Paranormal Activity' series. The only problem is that it is a part of the series in name only. It has no connection to the previous films and it has nothing that demands it be a 'Paranormal Activity' movie. It could be any old found footage film - and not a very good one at that.

The original series was so good because it was set in an ordinary looking house like yours or mine. And the thought of your partner spending hours through the night standing over you and staring was simply terrifying. A film set on an Amish farm isn't scary in any way, because who of us is ever going to go to one?

A couple of things I did like. They were able to recreate the feel of the series in the first half of the film. It was actually building up quite nicely for a while there until it decided to go well off the rails at the end. The other thing I liked were the main three characters. They were very likeable and people I could get onside with.

I feel like I'm mentioning it a lot in films lately, but it needs to be remembered that less is more. This film goes so hard and in your face that it can't possible be scary. What we don't see is always scarier than what we do. This film completely forgets that at the end.

I so desperately wanted to like this movie, with the hope that it would reignite a series that I love. This wasn't the storyline to do it with though. This feels like a random found footage film that needed a selling point, and so chucked 'Paranormal Activity' in front of its title. Very disappointing. 5/10.

Except name there is nothing even remotely close to the original franchise , saying that , it is a very decent found footage horror film. Kept me interested right to the end .Nothing really special , but definitely worth to watch once !

Tracked down by a distant relative after being abandoned by her mother, Margot (Emily Bader) gets a documentary crew to get a first-hand account of where she is from. Traveling to Amish country alongside Chris (Roland Buck III) and sound guy Dale (Dan Lippert), Margot discovers the way of life her true family lives. Night after night of unsettling encounters, Margot soon discovers why her mother may have given her up.

The paranormal crew has now traveled to Amish country, and the result adds an extra layer of dread. There is an eerie quality to being in the middle of nowhere with no modern technology, leaving you vulnerable to anything that passes by. The homestead where they stay is vast, and each creak of the floorboards has you gripping your seat. The team behind this builds the tension in grand fashion.

The cast involved all carry the story towards the finish line. Dan Lippert as Dale steals each scene he is in and is the life behind the film. Emily Bader and Roland Buck III have good chemistry between them that can get you invested in their relationship. Some of the family members are dialed in but flat in their presentation.

While the POV found footage can add that extra layer of tension, which this film does at times, there are moments where things feel staged. Even though they are filming a documentary, areas that should be caught in the moment seem to have perfect blocking and everything falls perfectly into place.

Next of Kin tells a story that is a part of the Paranormal Activity franchise, but could have worked as its own entity. A tweak here and there could have elevated the suspense of the film. Since it is a part of this franchise, you already have an idea of the outcome. This is still a film that should be watched by fans of the franchise, and it could also attract a new audience because of its separation from the series.

This franchise was loved or hated by the fans. Still it was original in it's concept and due teens being afraid of the first entry it became a succes.

So 14 years after number one we are left with this one. Why it's called paranormal activity is still a riddle for me. It's more about some myth surrounding the Amish and it's there that the story starts. A crew staying at home with an Amish family but they have a secret.

The score used is the same as in the franchise. But it isn't a found footage like the franchise was all about.

It isn't bad at all, do has some scary parts but another title would have been better.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 2/5 Story 2,5/5 Comedy 0/5.

I mean it's not bad, it creates a good found footage atmosphere a few elements are just a bit too cheesy and some of the shots detract from the ambiance. Maybe 15 min less chopping some of the cheesiest parts and a few of the camera cuts would have made this a really decent movie. As it stands it's kinda long. It's still entertaining enough and just creepy enough to make a good watch for the Halloween weekend.