Review: 'Paranormal Activity: Next Of Kin' is a Frightful Addition to the Genre

With all the reboots and re-imaginings happening, it's no surprise that the 2007 hit horror film "Paranormal Activity" would have its day. While not a complete departure, the new "Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin" keeps to the "found footage" gimmick of the horror franchise, but tells a new story that could find its own spin-off of sequels.

Written by Christopher Landon ("Happy Death Day" "Freaky" and a few of the other "Paranormal" movies), this one finds college age kids making a documentary (what else!) about their adopted friend Emily (Emily Bader), who is looking for her descendants. This takes her to Amish country, where she meets her grandfather, Jacob (Tom Nowicki), and a host of other extended family members who hesitantly take her and her two-person crew into their home.

With Roland (Roland Buck III) on camera and Dan (Dan Lippert) on sound, the three set out to make what they think is a film about finding family. But as Emily learns more about why her mother abandoned her, not to mention the strange activities going on at the homestead, they realize they are making a film about something much bigger, and much freakier.

Director William Eubank ("The Signal" "Underwater") effectively utilizes the found-footage gimmick, only occasionally calling into question a few convenient times the cameras seem to be running. It doesn't always seem logical, but it's easy just to go with it. This isn't high art. It's fun, supernatural horror, and if they need to stretch the conceit, that's fine.

The acting here is effective, never falling into something over-arching that takes away your belief that what you are seeing is "real." We all know it isn't, but it works because the actors all sell it as if it were.

The story, while nothing terribly new, works very well and has a bit of a gut-punch reveal at the end, making you realize there was a method to the madness of this family.

That said, most people will wonder if it's scary. It's not a film that inspires dread, but there are certainly a few highly effective jump-scares, and there is "something" creepy that generates suspense in the final act.

All in all, this isn't going to redefine the franchise, but it's an enjoyably frightful addition to the genre, setting things up for a new set of movies for fans to look forward to.

"Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin" debuts on Paramount+ October 29th.