When Louisiana estate agents Jim and Sara Evers (Murphy and Thomason) hear that a massive manse is about to go up for sale, it puts increased strain on their marriage. Sara wants the workaholic Jim to spend more time with their kids (Jefferies and Davis). When they stop to look at the house, they get more than they bargained for, as a sudden rainstorm strands them in the massive, creepy mansion with a sinister butler (Stamp), the gothic lord of the manor (Parker) and a couple of twitchy servants (Shawn and Waters). And they'll have to break a centuries-old curse to get out alive!

There might be a good movie in the Disneyland ride, but this isn't it. Everything here is belaboured, from the overwrought production design (looks great but there's too much of it) to the overcomplicated plot (makes no sense really). The cast seem adrift, unsure why they're in the movie at all--Murphy just cracks jokes with his usual energetic glee, Stamp snarls perfectly, Tilly is funny as a gypsy in a green orb, and so on. They're all fine, and they thankfully never go over the top.

But none of it matters, so it's impossible for the film to generate any suspense at all. Comic thrillers are always risky, but this one lacks even a hint of badly needed black humour. It's far too silly, with a paint-by-numbers plot to connect each unrelated set piece. It's watchable and enjoyable to a degree, but as Minkoff tries harder and harder to crank up the slapstick and suspense, the film lumbers to a halt. It's another case where outtakes during the closing credits would have helped hugely!