REVIEW - PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: NEXT OF KIN (2021)

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS - We have tried our best not to ruin it too much!

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin

Posited as a stand-alone story in the Paranormal Activity franchise, Next of Kin follows the story of Margot and her quest to discover her family history.

Following the found-footage style of the franchise, Margot, along with friends Chris and Dale, set out to create a documentary about her mother - Sarah, who had abandoned her outside a hospital. Through a random family DNA test site, Margot meets her very first blood relative Samuel, who is a practising Amish, conveniently on rumspringa. Samuel invites them to visit the family farm where Margot's mother came from. Of course, once they reach the Amish community weird things start happening.

Next of Kin is not quite as on the nose as other Paranormal Activity films, but still manages to capture an audience. Cashing in on the resurgence of folk horror, we feel completely isolated while watching Margot try to work out what is causing the creepy vibes on the ol' family homestead. Naturally, there is an ominous secret church that the gang is forbidden to enter, along with a rickety barn and a creaky wooden house ala Witness.

While the film is based around the Amish culture, a quick google search will soon show that the main entity, Asmodeus, is based on Ancient Greek and Judeo-Islamic lore. Asmodeus, also known as Tobi, may seem familiar. Having haunted the previous Paranormal Activity films, we see the prince of demons again. However, this time he does not take on the usual possession role as seen previously, rather we see him materialise in his full zombie-like demon form. It is interesting to note, that when reading the history of Asmodeus, he is not

Asmodeus as depicted in Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal

seen to possess anyone - even though he has taken many forms (my favourite being from King Solomen: "he is strong, powerful and appears with three heads; the first is like a bull, the second like a man, and the third like a ram; the tail of a serpent, and from his mouth issue flames of fire. Also, he sits upon an infernal dragon, holds a lance with a banner")

All in all, Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin is the kind of romp all horror fans will love. Running for only 90 minutes, it's an easy to watch spook-fest that will hold your interest - even if you are over the Paranormal Activity franchise (and with seven films and another billed to come out this year who could blame you?).

Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin is now streaming on Paramount+