A Haunted House 2 both stupid and witless

A Haunted House 2 is ostensibly a parody of Paranormal Activity and other recent horror films.

It isn’t. That’s because parody, spoof, whatever you want to call it, implies wit and intelligence. This film has none of that.

Rather, it is a vile, wretched, appalling waste of time, a movie for morons that is offensive on so many levels. It is loud, profane and profoundly stupid. One has to question how a film so awful could even be made, it is that bad. Most regrettably, it is not funny, not even a tiny bit.

Marlon Wayans is the ostensible brain behind the film, no doubt encouraged by the success of last year’s A Haunted House, which incredibly earned about $40 million.

Wayans, a member of the extended Wayans clan, has demonstrated some talent as a comedic actor in older brother Keenan’s Scary Movie franchise. At least those were actual parodies.

So this is not a man completely bereft of talent. He can handle physical comedy, he’s good looking and has some screen presence. But his talents as a comedy writer, if this film offers any insight, are completely imaginary.

The membrane-thin plot goes something like this: A year after his first encounter with the supernatural, Malcolm (Wayans) has moved on and in to a new home with a new girlfriend and her two children. This time, she’s white, allowing Wayans to riff on race. If only he had anything intelligent to say.

Along the way, there are a plethora of tasteless jokes, a numbingly copious amount of profanity and use of the N word, allusions to body parts and bodily functions (including a particularly cringeworthy demonstration of such) and pop culture references that should have those mentioned steaming and (fingers crossed) planning to sue for emotional distress. Wayans is front and centre throughout, mugging, flinching, sweating, screaming, gesticulating, gyrating, weaving and bobbing. It is excruciatingly painful to watch.

Everyone else’s talents are similarly squandered, including Jaime Presley as his wife, Megan, and Cedric the Entertainer returning from the first film as Father Williams, demonstrating once again why he should stick to game-show hosting.

Irredeemably dreadful in every way, this is a film parents should actively discourage their children from seeing. Those who do find it entertaining should strongly consider seeking professional help.

With a film this hauntingly bad, the most terrifying prospect imaginable is the thought of A Haunted House 3.