Tabbed as a spinoff and not a direct sequel, Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones rarely ventures away from its proven formula, using first person camera shots and loud, abrupt character sequences to stir up a few jumps and screams. And while the film is a valid entry into the popular annual franchise, it doesn't quite live up to the magic that began back in 2007.
Taking a distinct Latin turn, The Marked Ones follows Jesse, a recent high school graduate who appears to be the center of a mysterious paranormal force. When his neighbor is brutally murdered at the hands of a classmate, his friends and family will stop at nothing to rid his body of the evil that has been consuming his since before birth.
Written and directed by franchise mainstay Christopher Landon, the film has its moments but never presents anything entirely original. The acting is decent enough, and the story is well paced throughout. However, the entire premises takes a major backseat to the original scenario that audiences have come to know and love over the years. I don't fully see the connection between this film and the previous four in the franchise, and the last minute tie-in brought about a quick "ah" before giving way to a handful of chronology questions.
I do credit Landon for bringing it all home and really playing towards the franchises' lead audience. His decision to not translate any of the on-screen Spanish allows for a state of confusion that is nearly on point with the characters who are living out this demon-filled scenario. That being said, the film never goes the extra mile, instead opting to sit back and play things safe, succumbing to what is a proven formula. There is nothing special or unusual about The Marked Ones; it is a scary film that will give a few people nightmares, and it thankfully has an R-rating attached to it. Without the final two minutes I would never have placed it within one of the most financially successful horror series of all time.
The scares, though present, aren't as plentiful as before. The film really gets going during the final abandoned house sequence, though never lives up to full potential as the story finds itself restricted thanks to the sole use of handheld cameras. The Marked Ones focuses more on the human transformation than the paranormal, and the tense, edge of your seat occasions prove to be few and far between. That all being said, I surprisingly enjoyed my time with this film. It wasn't anything crazy, but its quick, even pacing and semi-rough texture allowed for a pleasant (and sometimes intense) viewing experience.
