A Haunted House 2
After exorcising the demons of his ex, Malcolm starts afresh with his new girlfriend and her two children. After moving into their dream home, Malcolm is once again plagued by bizarre paranormal events.
Despite its limited budget of $4.0M, A Haunted House 2 became a runaway success, earning $25.3M worldwide—a remarkable 534% return. The film's unconventional structure connected with viewers, proving that strong storytelling can transcend budget limitations.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
A Haunted House 2 (2014) exemplifies strategically placed narrative architecture, characteristic of Michael Tiddes's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 27 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.6, the film showcases strong structural fundamentals.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Malcolm Johnson
Megan
Becky
Wyatt
Miguel
Noreen
Father Doug Williams
Main Cast & Characters
Malcolm Johnson
Played by Marlon Wayans
A man trying to start fresh with a new girlfriend and family after supernatural experiences, but encounters more paranormal activity in his new home.
Megan
Played by Jaime Pressly
Malcolm's new girlfriend who moves into the haunted house with her two children, skeptical of supernatural claims.
Becky
Played by Ashley Rickards
Megan's teenage daughter who becomes involved in the paranormal events and develops strange behavior.
Wyatt
Played by Steele Stebbins
Megan's young son who witnesses the supernatural occurrences in the house.
Miguel
Played by Gabriel Iglesias
Malcolm's cousin and best friend who helps investigate the paranormal activity with enthusiasm and comic incompetence.
Noreen
Played by Missi Pyle
Megan's best friend who is overly sexual and creates awkward situations for Malcolm.
Father Doug Williams
Played by Cedric the Entertainer
An inexperienced priest brought in to perform an exorcism on the possessed individuals.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Malcolm recaps the demonic events from the first film in a documentary-style interview, establishing his traumatic past with his possessed ex-girlfriend Kisha.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Strange occurrences begin in the new house - objects move on their own, doors slam, and Malcolm experiences the first signs that demonic activity has followed him to his new home.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Malcolm makes the active choice to investigate the paranormal activity seriously after witnessing undeniable supernatural events. He commits to documenting everything and proving what's happening, entering the world of demon-hunting., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False defeat: Malcolm discovers that Kisha, his demon-possessed ex-girlfriend, has returned and is the source of the hauntings. The stakes raise as the demon isn't random - it's personal and wants Malcolm back., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 64 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Megan takes the children and leaves Malcolm, who is left alone and defenseless. The demon fully possesses the house and Malcolm hits his lowest point, having lost everything he tried to build - his new family and his chance at normalcy., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 69 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Malcolm finds courage and teams up with Father Williams for a final exorcism. He accepts that he must face his trauma rather than run from it, synthesizing his newfound family values with the need to confront evil., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
A Haunted House 2's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping A Haunted House 2 against these established plot points, we can identify how Michael Tiddes utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish A Haunted House 2 within the comedy genre.
Michael Tiddes's Structural Approach
Among the 3 Michael Tiddes films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.5, reflecting strong command of classical structure. A Haunted House 2 represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Michael Tiddes filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Michael Tiddes analyses, see Fifty Shades of Black, A Haunted House.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Malcolm recaps the demonic events from the first film in a documentary-style interview, establishing his traumatic past with his possessed ex-girlfriend Kisha.
Theme
Malcolm's cousin Ray warns him about moving too fast with Megan and her kids, stating "You can't run from your past, it catches up with you" - the film's central theme about confronting trauma.
Worldbuilding
Malcolm has moved on with new girlfriend Megan and her two children, moving into a new house. The setup establishes Malcolm's desire for a fresh start and normal family life, while introducing the quirky household dynamics and Megan's kids.
Disruption
Strange occurrences begin in the new house - objects move on their own, doors slam, and Malcolm experiences the first signs that demonic activity has followed him to his new home.
Resistance
Malcolm debates whether to acknowledge the supernatural events or ignore them for his new relationship. He installs security cameras throughout the house and consults with paranormal experts, trying to rationalize the occurrences while keeping them from Megan.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Malcolm makes the active choice to investigate the paranormal activity seriously after witnessing undeniable supernatural events. He commits to documenting everything and proving what's happening, entering the world of demon-hunting.
Mirror World
Introduction of Father Williams, a eccentric priest who becomes Malcolm's spiritual guide and represents the thematic idea that faith and confronting evil directly is necessary for redemption.
Premise
The fun and games of horror-comedy as Malcolm and Father Williams attempt various methods to cleanse the house. Escalating supernatural encounters with possessed objects, demonic manifestations, and comedic exorcism attempts deliver the promise of the premise.
Midpoint
False defeat: Malcolm discovers that Kisha, his demon-possessed ex-girlfriend, has returned and is the source of the hauntings. The stakes raise as the demon isn't random - it's personal and wants Malcolm back.
Opposition
Kisha's demonic presence intensifies, attacking Megan's children and destroying Malcolm's relationship. Megan discovers the truth about Malcolm's past, trust breaks down, and the demon gains ground by exploiting Malcolm's unresolved trauma and guilt.
Collapse
Megan takes the children and leaves Malcolm, who is left alone and defenseless. The demon fully possesses the house and Malcolm hits his lowest point, having lost everything he tried to build - his new family and his chance at normalcy.
Crisis
Malcolm wallows in despair, realizing he cannot escape his past by running from it. He must confront Kisha and the demon directly to truly be free and protect those he loves.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Malcolm finds courage and teams up with Father Williams for a final exorcism. He accepts that he must face his trauma rather than run from it, synthesizing his newfound family values with the need to confront evil.
Synthesis
The climactic exorcism battle where Malcolm confronts the possessed Kisha. Using everything he learned about courage, family, and facing fears, Malcolm and Father Williams perform the ritual to banish the demon permanently.
Transformation
Malcolm reunites with Megan and the children in their demon-free home, transformed from a man running from his past into someone who faced his fears and fought for his family. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows growth and resolution.