Synopsis: Josh and Renai have a happy family with their three young children. When tragedy strikes their young son, Josh and Renai begin to experience things that science cannot explain. Josh and Renai have a happy family with their three young children. When tragedy strikes their young son, Josh and Renai begin to experience things that science cannot explain.
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Lin Shaye, Rose Byrne
Director: James Wan
Writer: Leigh Whannell
Producer: Oren Peli
Talk about getting some horror movie heavyweights together. You have the creators of Saw and the producers of Paranormal Activity joining forces for what was touted as a major frightfest. Saw’s James Wan and Leigh Whannell team up with producer Oren Peli who directed Paranormal Activity.
Touting more scares that any movie in recent memory, even Paranormal Activity, Insidious does a great job on a lot of levels. Well timed scares are used effectively throughout the movie and it made for one of my favorite theatrical experiences in a long time. I had a great time watching Paranormal Activity in the theater, but Insidious made for a much better experience for me. I really love the reaction of the audience from jump scares.
Insidious is immensely different from Saw, so do not expect to see the traps, or even the blood and gore. Insidious relies heavily on jump scares and it works very well in this film. Insidious is also a character-driven movie and does tell a solid story. As the story unravels, you fall deeper and deeper into the film until the end comes up and grabs your last breath.
As far as the characters go, everyone was believable with Lin Shaye being the standout. She has a way of lighting up any screen and making you fall in love with her performances. She is highly underrated and turns in another brilliant performance. The other characters all put in solid performances as well, and some of them even are able to offer some levity into the story, which is much needed at times.
The sound used in the film was spot on as well. In some instances, the scares are illuminated by the sound, and in others, there is an ominous figure standing in plain sight, but the audience does not see it straight away, so when it becomes obvious that the figure is there, it makes everything ever more terrifying.
Overall, Insidious is a rare treat that is not perfect, but is a film that I know that I will enjoy many more times in the near future. Post your thoughts on Insidious below.
