A Haunted House

A Haunted House, directed by Michael Tiddes and produced by Marlon Wayans, who also stars as the central character, is an American horror comedy movie released in 2013. Alongside Wayan, the ensemble cast features Essence Atkins, Marlene Forte, Affion Crockett, Nick Swardson, and Cedric the Entertainer, adding a delightful blend of talent to the humorously horrifying theme of this supernatural humor flick.

Marlon Wayans, famous for his penchant for pushing the envelope of comedy, stars as Malcolm Johnson, a young man ready to take a significant leap in his relationship with his girlfriend, Kisha, portrayed by Essence Atkins. They decide to move in together, enabling them to enjoy the perks of living in their dream house. However, stealing the joy of their life is an unsolicited and unseen roommate, a paranormal entity that starts to haunt them.

Taking a dig at the found-footage genre of horror films, A Haunted House sees Malcolm installing cameras all around the house to catch the demonic activity on film. His keenness to capture the spectral lurker on camera adds a comic twist to the eerie happenings around the house.

The comedic prowess of Marlon Wayan's Malcolm and his excessive reactions to the strange happenings give a hilarious angle to the otherwise terrifying ghostly activities. Essence Atkins, playing Kisha, complements him perfectly, both in normal circumstances and freak times, driving the humor home. The camaraderie the couple shares goes a notch higher with the introduction of their eccentric friends and acquaintances, adding more elements of surprise and laughter.

Marlene Forte portrays Rosa, a maid hired by the couple. The unusual, outlandish relationship Rosa shares with Malcolm sees a comedic play of dominance and submissiveness, which results in some hilariously outrageous situations. Affion Crockett plays Malcolm's jailbird cousin Ray-Ray, whose surreal lifestyle and unconventional wisdom about the ghost amplifies the humor.

A Haunted House also leaves no stone unturned in parodying some of the most iconic horror movies, making the audience laugh out loud on those references. The film brilliantly borrows classic elements of successful horror storylines and tweaks them in a comedic way. Even with the supernatural essence, this movie keeps its humor intact and undeniably amusing, making it a perfect choice for those looking for some hearty laughs.

However, this film is not just about laughs and parodies; it does an incredible job of building suspense and delivering that hair-raising thump. The horror element is indispensable as it maintains the spookiness involved despite the humorous take on the ominous events.

The loud and unexpected noises, moving objects, and the transformation of characters amplify the horror aspect of the film, doing justice to the genre. The creative use of camera angles and perspectives gives the audience an intimate involvement in the comedic horror unfolding on the screen.

Furthermore, the soundtrack of the film significantly escalates the comic and horrifying situations, striking a perfect balance between the two spectrums. The film is brilliantly paced, ensuring that the humor does not overshadow the horror or vice versa, but instead, coexists in a beautiful tandem.

Final words, A Haunted House takes a well-known horror movie trope – the haunted house – and breathes new life into it by sprinkling it liberally with comedy. This essential twist on the genre generates an engaging narrative full of surprises, laughs, and occasional jumpscares. It's certainly a hilarious thrill ride for fans who enjoy their horror flicks with a side of uproarious laughter. With a shrewd mix of parody, satire, and traditional horror techniques, A Haunted House is an entertaining movie that pushes the envelope of horror comedies.