I’ve followed the Insidious franchise since it first premiered back in 2010. I love supernatural horror. This weekend I popped a bag of popcorn and settled in to watch Insidious: The Red Door, and I have a few thoughts.
Warning, mild spoilers.
Set nine years after the original film, the sequel sees Dalton, played by Ty Simpkins, who reprises his role from the first film, is heading off to college, driven to school by his father, Josh (Patrick Wilson), in what is an incredibly awkward ride. Dalton and his father have a strained relationship, with Josh not being around much as the kid has grown up after Josh and his wife divorced, and Josh’s head has been in a fog, thanks to the fact that both father and son were hypnotized to forget the events in the first film.
The action kicks off after Dalton’s art professor makes the class count down from ten. Suddenly, Dalton and Josh begin to see flashes of memories from before, and they are able to enter “The Further” once again and reportedly for the last time. Word is this is the final film of the franchise, but we all know how that goes. Someone will see they can make another dollar and revive it at some point.
The movie does have a problem with the returning characters of Dad and Mom, Josh (Patrick Wilson), and Renai (Rose Byrne). During the majority of the film, they are made to come across in a negative light. Josh is mainly portrayed as an absent father who doesn’t really want to know his kids, and Renai comes across as a bitter, petty woman. After all, she divorced her husband because of something he did while possessed, and she knows that fact. She seems too cold. I have to question that, seeing that were are meant to connect and sympathize with them, why go this route?
One of the most clever aspects of The Red Door is that it connects back to the original movie by including scenes from it here and there with the current characters stepping into them. I thought that was a great touch.
The movie isn’t all doom and gloom. We get comic relief from the character Chris, played by Sinclair Daniel, and she nails her role, being both funny and part of the drama and darkness.
There is something else that I do want to mention. The film marks the directorial debut of its star Patrick Wilson. Starring in and directing your debut film can not be an easy thing. You have to respect his dedication.
Here’s the big question, is it scary? The answer is yes. It successfully builds real tension and dread, which in my humble opinion, is far more critical than a jump scare, but don’t worry, there are plenty of those as well.
When it comes to the cinematography, it doesn’t disappoint and creates a separation between worlds simply and with ease. And the special effect and makeup are on point.
I’ve heard people call Insidious: The Red Door the best of the franchise, but I have to disagree. I believe that title still belongs to the original, but don’t get me wrong, Insidious: The Red Door is by no means a bad movie. It’s definitely worth watching. And you can watch it now on VOD.
