Tyler Perry’s new film, “Tyler Perry Presents Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor,” produced by Tyler Perry, is a big joke.

Audiences were shocked when the steamy, PG-13 erotic thriller promised in the film’s trailers turned out to be only 12 minutes long and consisted of Tyler Perry pointing and laughing at viewers. The actor-director-writer-astronaut-celebrity chef also reportedly gives the audience the middle finger while striking the Heisman pose in the film’s opening credits.

“I can’t believe you all paid to see this movie!” Tyler Perry exclaimed.

The trailer for “Tyler Perry Presents Temptation,” which is based on the novel “Tyler Perry Presents: Tyler Perry as Tyler Perry,” written by Tyler Perry, demonstrates Tyler Perry’s deft knowledge of how to navigate a modern romantic relationship. One scene depicts a man yelling “Touchdown!” rather than paying attention to his wife, which, as Perry’s book says, means he’s a terrible person.

Tyler Perry’s exquisite and sophisticated writing style likely drew audiences to the film. In the trailer, a particular exchange serves as the focal point of Perry’s talent.

“I don’t really dream anymore,” says Lead Actress. “What do you dream about?”

(Eleven-second pause.)

“You,” says Lead Actor.

This is definitely a conversation people would have in real life.

Reportedly, every one of the actors knew about the ruse, except for one — Kim Kardashian.

“You really thought I’d put Kim Kardashian in a movie,” Tyler Perry asks while in hysterics. “She is freaking terrible!”

While audiences may have been shocked, critics loved the film. It currently holds a 99 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Most critics are praising Tyler Perry’s performance as Tyler Perry as “incredibly brave, bold and other-adjectives-that-should-not-be-used-to-describe-actors.”

The one holdout is Armond White, who is definitely not a deliberate contrarian. White wrote in his review that he wished Tyler Perry did another film like “Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too?”

“You see, it’s funny because the ‘too’ means ‘as well,’ and the number two! It works on so many levels,” White said.

“Tyler Perry Presents: Tyler Perry as Tyler Perry” did, however, end on a serious note.

“But seriously, you guys,” Tyler Perry says solemnly. “Be sure to check out my upcoming movie ‘Tyler Perry Presents: Marriage is Terrible and Men Dressed as Women Are Hysterical.’”

Perry spends the remaining 47 seconds laughing and shouting “Tyler Perry!” before leaving the set, an armchair and cutouts of various Perry characters.

A version of this article appeared in the Monday, April 1 print edition. Josh Johnson is arts editor. Email him at [email protected].