‘Insidious: The Red Door’ Review: A Fun, No Frills Return To The Further
Josh Korngut
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If you’ve never been partial to the smoky soundstage spookhouse tactics of the previous chapters, then Insidious: The Red Door likely isn’t for you. However, if, like me, you found the franchise’s earlier films to be fun and ghoulish amusement parks, this new entry is a welcome return to form. From its performances, themes, and the simplicity of its scares, Blumhouse’s latest foray into The Further is a fun and easy haunted house attraction worth the price of admission.
While the fifth film of a franchise is often a low point (Friday the 13th, A Nightmare On Elm Street, Hellraiser, etc.), this entry benefits greatly by returning to its roots. We have not seen the Lambert family since Insidious Chapter 2, and things have changed considerably. Patriarch Josh (Patrick Wilson) is now divorced and seeing his grown son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) off to college. This relationship is shaky at best, and the two men seem to have lost the ability to communicate after years of hidden secrets and tucked-away trauma. But alas, the past never says buried for long, and soon Josh and Dalton are forced to confront their parallel demons. It’s a film about the bond between father and son, and while these are themes that could have easily turned sickly sweet, instead, they feel authentic.
Both Wilson and Simpkins deliver top-notch performances as the fractured father-and-son duo. Wilson’s turn helps to elevate the film from what could have been a run-of-the-mill scary sequel into something wiser and better. The script from Scott Teems (Halloween Kills) doesn’t exactly shine, but a strong ensemble of players, both new and familiar, helps to ground the story and its themes. Newcomer Sinclair Daniel is a welcome addition to the team, providing effortless levity to a franchise that can sometimes take itself a little bit too seriously.
Another welcome surprise for the film is the execution of its scares. As mentioned earlier, the Insidious brand of horror isn’t for everyone. It requires an appreciation for simplicity in horror. A24 diehards and fans leaning more exclusively into what some consider “elevated horror” should steer clear. There’s nothing elevated about this series, which is why I’m so partial to what it’s selling. At its best, The Red Door is an old-school carnival spookhouse, analog and back to basics. One of my favorite scares opens the film, and it’s as simple as they come but will leave you ghastly grinning as the title card appears across the screen.
But unfortunately, the simplicity of the film doesn’t always work in its favor. This is especially true when it comes to the third act when it’s time for Dalton and Josh’s storylines to entwine. While we are always rooting for these two, it’s still a little frustrating how easily they can comprehend the existential horrors plaguing their family for a decade. It’s just too easy when push comes to shove, and it undermines the thoughtful themes of buried trauma set up in its first half.
In the end, Insidious: The Red Door is a welcome return to form for a franchise that is at its best when it’s not trying too hard. Revisiting the Lambert clan from the first two chapters justifies the new film, and a cameo from Lin Shaye as Elise Rainier will undoubtedly leave fans of the series with a smile. This chapter is a scary, simple, and fun tour through a staple Blumhouse haunted attraction.
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Insidious: The Red Door
Summary
‘Insidious: The Red Door’ is a fun and simple haunted house attraction worth the price of admission, as well as a welcome return to familial roots.
