Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension utilises the same expired found footage style that made the series monotonously derivative. "The Ghost Dimension"? An entire metaphysical reality that coexists with our own physical realm? A parallel subnet of ghoulish entities and sinister demons? Well, actually it's just a tunnel above a little girl's bed. Who knew! A family move into a house where they discover a specialised camera that detects spectral sightings around their new abode. Little did they know, it's the same antagonistic presence from the previous instalments. You know what that means...! The. Exact. Same. Narrative. Structure. Innocent cute family move in. Objects move. Unexpected noises erupt. The tension "rises". Presence increases actions with confidence. People die. Some survive. The end. Except this time, it really is the end. Finished. Concluded. Done. Well, I hope so! I tend to take this franchise with a pinch of salt. I appreciate the technique used in the first few instalments and found them to be atmospheric, yet entirely disposable, horrors. Ultimately boring mind you, but a few moments of tension seemed to always arise. In this concluding chapter, the dull monotonous characters are so absurdly simpleminded that every action they choose to make leaves a bitter aftertaste. Let me illustrate this with a few examples. Shortly after discovering this convenient special camera, they witness a vicious spectral entity manifest adjacent to their daughter. Instead of fleeing the house and showing the tape to suitable authorities, they decide to stay in this house to "find out what it wants". The daughter, having never done this before, drew ancient demonic symbols behind her bed. The parents acknowledge this with fear, but do nothing as if it was normal behaviour from her. The plot is littered with these dumbfounded choices that you start to realise these are the worst parents ever. This is without critiquing the horrendous effects, non-existent character development and lack of scares. By the time the nonsensical ending occurs, you've probably given up on the film...and life.
