Tags
2010's, Angus Sampson, Barbara Hershey, Horror, Insidious, James Wan, Leigh Whannell, Lin Shaye, Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Supernatural Horror, Ty Simpkins
Film Title
Insidious
Director
James Wan
Starring
- Patrick Wilson as Josh Lambert
- Rose Byrne as Renai Lambert
- Lin Shaye as Elise Rainier
- Barbara Hershey as Lorraine Lambert
- Ty Simpkins as Dalton Lambert
- Leigh Whannell as Specs
- Angus Sampson as Tucker
A creepy, unsettling horror movie with supernatural overtones, Insidious is nightmare inducing stuff that will have you sleeping with the light on for a long time after viewing it.
School teacher Josh Lambert and his songwriting wife Renai have recently moved into a new house with their three children; Dalton, Foster and baby Cali. Everything is going well for the family until one event sets in motion something very terrifying. Young Dalton falls while exploring the attic and is rendered comatose, with the doctors saying he might never come out of it. Devastated by this, Josh and Renai try to make their way through this unimaginable situation the best they can. But strange events soon take hold that can’t be explained; Renai hears strange whispers on the baby monitor but finds no one there, Foster recalls seeing his comatose brother walking around at night and many more creepy events soon occur. Terrified, the young couple moves house in an attempt for a fresh start. But it appears that whatever is causing these events has followed them or more specifically Dalton. It is here that Josh’s mother Lorraine begins to tell of similar events happening to her and that she knows someone who may be able to help. Enlisting the help of paranormal investigator Elise, and her team, the Lambert’s soon learn that something very sinister is afoot involving Dalton that links to the realm of supernatural and an unusual gift that the young child possesses. Having to overcome their fears, the Lambert’s attempt to get their son back from wherever he is before it is too late.
James Wan directs with a real flair for the material here, crafting uneasy tension, jolts of terror and slow-building menace. Rather than just hit us from the very beginning, he slowly but surely litters the proceedings with strange events, while also giving something of a heart to the story as we witness the parental concern and nightmare of Renai and Josh.I did feel that somewhere in the second half of Insidious, it ran a little out of steam with some of the supernatural stuff. But it still kept me riveted as well as terrified, as it had built up very nicely and had done a number of unexpected things. One such thing is the fact that Insidious could easily having been just another haunted house movie, but instead the family moves house and the evil follows. This little detail helped me appreciate the film for not falling prey to that genre trapping. The visual palette is one of muddy mauve, faded yellow and melancholy grey, that gives Insidious that feeling of dread and the blurring of what we know and what we are scared to know. There are genuine rings of emotion in Insidious, predominately from the reactions of the parents while trying to figure out how to save their son from terror. Thankfully this drama is balanced with the scare factor and the two mingle very well together, instead of overwhelming one another. A score of unusual sounds and sudden jolts of terror is effectively used throughout Insidious and males it very chilling and nail-biting.
Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne are immensely convincing as the devastated parents attempting to save their son from the harm of the supernatural and unknown. The two work very well together as we see their differing attitudes of what to do, but them being united in their battle to free Dalton. Lin Shaye is delightfully eccentric but full of warmth and knowledge as the medium Elise, who is brought in when every other avenue seems closed. Barbara Hershey is very good in her supporting role of Josh’s mother who knows a little bit about some of the supernatural events happening. In the pivotal role of the comatose Dalton, Ty Simpkins is exactly right in conveying the terror and providing some chills when supernatural events take hold. Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson add some comic relief as paranormal investigators under the command of Elise and armed with an arsenal of unusual gadgets.
Bone-chilling, unsettling and filled with terror, Insidious is horror filled with creepiness and startling images.
impossiblegirl123 said:
I don’t like to watch horror movies, but I do like Patrick Wilson a lot so I think I started watching it oncebut turned it off again. I just can’t deal with anything scary hahaha
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vinnieh said:
Horror isn’t for everyone, and as much as I love it, I still get nightmares.
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impossiblegirl123 said:
Yeah, see that’s just something I’m really not good dealing with. When I was an exchange student in the US, my host sister loved watching horror flicks. That was more than 5 years ago and I still can’t stop thinking about some of them. The worst one was Mirrors with Sutherland, because the entire front of our wardrobe, which covered the wall next to my bed, was made out of a mirror. Not funny!
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vinnieh said:
I would have covered that mirror up for a long time.
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impossiblegirl123 said:
My host sis made fun of me, so I didn’t have much choice other than to pretend it didn’t scare me.
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vinnieh said:
I’m one of those people who is more than willing to admit that a film scared me. After all it is the job of horror films.
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impossiblegirl123 said:
Oh, I’m a terrible actress, so everyone knew I wasn’t cool with it.
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vinnieh said:
I’d stick to the genres that you like then, rather than scaring yourself to death.
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impossiblegirl123 said:
Oh, I am sticking to the stuff I like. Sometimes I just have the feeling I should check something out. Mostly, I end up not liking it that much hahaha
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vinnieh said:
It’s good to sometimes watch something out of your comfort zone, but if you’re happy with what you’re watching, stick to it.
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Slatethesilverscreen said:
Ive been meaning to watch this but the trailer scared the crap out of me so Im going to have to find a willing volunteer to take the plunge with me
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vinnieh said:
Ha, watch it with someone else, definitely a good option.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Awesome review Vinnie. I LOVED this movie! 😊
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vinnieh said:
It’s a chiller, isn’t it? I’m still freaked out after watching it again.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I need to do an Insidious marathon at some point.
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vinnieh said:
Now that sounds like a great idea.
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The Telltale Mind said:
Good review. Love this film!
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vinnieh said:
Cheers, it really frightens me every time I watch it.
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emmakwall said:
Awesome, awesome review Vinster! I remember I went to see this at the cinema expecting the usual kind of movie and was actually bloody terrified lol (probably even more terrified after I got home and was in bed in the dark!!)
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vinnieh said:
I had the same experience, I couldn’t sleep soundly for a long time.
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The Vern said:
I should watch this movie again because I hated it the first time I saw it. I coud have used it as a shitfest entry that year. Yeah Wilson , Byrne, and Shay were good but I felt like the director was trying way too hard to be scary. Here is my review http://www.videovangaurd.com/2012/02/on-netflix-insidious-movie-review.html
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vinnieh said:
I will check out your review soon Vern.
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HusbandAndHusband said:
I watch so many horror films, but for some reason I can’t remember if I’ve seen this one or not. I guess all horror films are too similar now.
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vinnieh said:
I’d watch it again if I were you just to be sure of whether you’ve seen it or not.
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HusbandAndHusband said:
You know what, I think I will : )
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vinnieh said:
I’m very happy to hear that.
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beetleypete said:
I saw this on TV quite recently, and it was better than I expected. I wouldn’t say it made me leave a light on (little does) but it was nicely creepy. I agree that the colours help the theme a lot, and the cast not being too famous didn’t hurt either.
Not as scared as you were mate, but still a good all-round shocker.
Regards, Pete.
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vinnieh said:
I admire your varied taste in film Pete, you’re a real film lover who’ll watch just about anything.
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beetleypete said:
‘Just about anything’ is right mate.
Not Bond though, never ‘The James’!
Keep an eye out for my next DVD shelf roundup for some strange ones…
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vinnieh said:
Strange ones? I bet some of them are quite naughty Pete, you rascal.
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beetleypete said:
Come on now, I have told you about the remotely naughty ones already.
The other stuff was all on VHS, chucked out years ago…
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vinnieh said:
Hehe, only joking Pete. You’re a respectable guy with fine taste.
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beetleypete said:
Thanks, but I am not so sure, on either count!
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jmount43 said:
One of the best and creepiest horror films I’ve seen in recent years. Great review.
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vinnieh said:
Very creepy and frightening.
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drakulus23 said:
This was a good movie with some big flaws in my opinion. The atmosphere was great, the characters were likable, but man that ending was dumb.
Great review.
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vinnieh said:
It ran out of steam a bit, but it was still a good movie.
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drakulus23 said:
I agree. It was definitely a good movie. My wife and I really enjoyed watching it up until the end :].
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alexraphael said:
Not the sort of thing I’d normally go for, but like the two main leads a lot. Saw them both years ago in different things and hoped they would make it bigger.
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vinnieh said:
Wilson a and Byrne really sold it as the devastated parents.
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vampireplacebo said:
I liked this one, despite it’s silly ending and the Darth demon. I am, and always will be, of the belief that less is more when it comes to things like that. Wan and Whannell seem to be at the other end of the spectrum when it comes to that, hehehe.
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vinnieh said:
Nice to hear from you, how have you been?
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vampireplacebo said:
I was able to do a few things while I was away, but unfortunately I had to spend a good part of the vacation cooped up. I did manage to go dancing, though, if only for a little while.
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vinnieh said:
Hope you danced the night away.
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beetleypete said:
Spookily enough, this was on TV last night. I didn’t watch it again, but went to bed and left Julie watching it. I don’t think she stuck with it though, too scary for her.
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vinnieh said:
That is spooky indeed Pete, talk about coincidental timing.
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Keith said:
Ok this sells me. I have long dismissed this movie and I can’t really say why. Time to get watchin’!
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vinnieh said:
I’m glad to hear my review has made you want to see it.
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SusanElizabeth said:
One of my favorite horror movies and a wonderful surprise. I never expected Insidious to be so scary with its pg-13 rating but the opening title sequence set the tone. I watched this one on a sunny afternoon and was perfectly horrified=) Awesome movie & review from you.
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vinnieh said:
That was one creepy title sequence.
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