A Haunted House

Right now you can watch A Haunted House in Australia on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels, and in the US on fuboTV and Shout! Factory Amazon Channel — and it is funnier than its reputation suggests. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Marlon Wayans leads a cast with real comic timing. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, A Haunted House is worth clearing space for. The jokes in A Haunted House land because the characters underneath them are worth caring about. Malcolm and Kisha move into their dream home, but soon learn a demon also resides there. When Kisha becomes possessed, Malcolm - determined to keep his sex life on track - turns to a priest, a psychic, and a team of ghost-busters for help in this spoof of all the "found-footage/documentary style" films released in recent years. The chemistry Marlon Wayans and Essence Atkins bring to it does a lot of the heavy lifting. A Haunted House came out in 2013. The timing in A Haunted House is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

For viewers who want something light without wanting something stupid, A Haunted House respects your intelligence. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. A contained runtime means every scene is doing real work. Marlon Wayans's comic timing carries it through its weaker moments. The kind of comedy you recommend to someone who claims they do not watch much.