WALLACE PEEBLES PARANORMAL INSPECTRE (2025)

3 stars

Miracle Media. Digital. Out Now

WALLACE PEEBLES PARANORMAL INSPECTRE (and yes that is the correct spelling) is a mockumentary based on those numerous ghost hunting shows that seem to proliferate on obscure TV channels – seems like a perfect subject for a comedic skewering.

Wallace (Steven Nesbit, who also directed and co-wrote the script with Karl Hall) and Poppy (Jennifer Bryer) are the lead investigators, usually assisted by cameraman Chet (Michael Flores) – we are treated to some of their not particularly convincing videos, complete with lots of green night vision footage. You know the sort of thing.

Wallace is a bit of an idiot, whereas Poppy is an actual scientist – a behavioural psychologist apparently… though the person doing the on-screen graphics keeps misspelling her role (which is kind of the level of humour here). These daft lower thirds become a running joke.

Overall they are not very good at what they do – especially Wallace. Then he gets a phone call from Chet, as he has a bonafide haunting in a warehouse in upstate New York. The owner wants them to investigate… and they’ll actually pay! It’s an opportunity to make a real show for once.

Chet is warned by the owner not to go into room 66 (which of course they eventually do) and also to secretly search for some jewels which are somewhere in the building. Also along for the ride is Snow (Kristina E. Howard), ostensibly as a producer – even though she doesn’t know what one does. She is also an obsessive fan of Wallace. Is the place really haunted? Can they capture anything on camera? Will Chet find what he is looking for?

Overacted by all concerned, this is fitfully amusing in an undemanding way, with silly, sometimes puerile and childish humour. However, the whole thing soon wears thin – this might have worked better as a short. Saving grace – it’s only 72 minutes long!

Steve Kirkham