Insidious (2010)

I am crazy! I admit it…I don’t know why I do this to myself.  I’m mega chickenshit and somehow I felt like Tuesday night was a great idea to put on Insidious.  Just to check our James Wan‘s skills.  The movie started and the DVD menu went on, eerie music going on, opening credits start…and I start regretting already.

insidious posterDirector: James Wan

Cast: Rose Byrne, Patrick Wilson, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Barbara Hershey

*IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THIS MOVIE, YOU MAY WANT TO SKIP THE SYNOPSIS, as much as I tried to keep it spoiler free, it might still ruin the full experience*

Renai (Rose Byrne) and Josh(Patrick Wilson) Lambert are settling into their new house with their 3 children.  When their son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) falls into a coma, they search to figure out what is causing it.  As this starts to strain Renai and Josh’s marriage, Josh starts dreaming up weird images.  At the same time, Renai starts experiencing eerie unexplicable events at home which leads her to believe that her house is haunted.  It is then she urges Josh to move out of their home in hopes that escape this.  However, at the new home, these events still occur and its then Josh’s mother  Lorraine (Barbara Hershey) advise them to seek the help of Elise (Lin Shaye) and her team Specs (Leigh Whannell) and Tucker (Angus Sampson). It is here they learn about The Further.

insidious dreams

I almost didn’t want to write a synopsis for this one because there is no way that you can talk about this and not feel like I ruined something.

This leads to me saying that this is a super awesome horror.  It scared the $&!% out of me but I am not alone.  This makes me feel good to say because basing this on my scare level is inaccurate, seeing as I’m scared of most horror movies.  On this note, you really want to check out The Horror Online and their awesome post on the “How Scary Is It?” Scale.  Just click on it and you’ll get to that post! This one (and The Horror Online agrees) is definitely a Stage 5.  I did not cry…I screamed at the top of my lungs.  Decibel levels flew off the charts! I’m still sleeping with my lights close and watching comedies.  Oh, and I don’t walk around my house with the lights off…and the boyfriend has after dark water duty for moi, because I refuse to go down into the dark…I’m sure you get the idea…

 

insidious group

 

This horror flick is hardcore.  This would’ve been good for the theatres though. The copy I got made me have to watch subtitles because I did not hear those effects that makes it a bit eerie until last minute.  Although eventually I learned that I had to turn it off because every time something happens, we get an alert with an “eerie sounscape” in the background.  Even though it was hinted eventually, it always provided some form of surprise.  Freaked me out every single time.  As much as my boyfriend laughed at it, by the end of the movie, those discordant violin sounds were MEGA CREEPY! Background music or lack of at times was really effective to make this horror factor increase! It made for a good compliments to some pretty crazy awesome jump scares, along with some built up moments!

insidious dalton

On top of that, everyone in this flick was convincing.  Maybe it had to do with the incredibly awesome storyline.  Patrick Wilson was fantastic and Rose Byrne was definitely no Helen (from Bridesmaids).  She went all out to prove to us that she can do horror genre equally well.  She lead a good part of the movie and was the focus for a lot of solo scenes.  She convinced me that there was evil at every corner of that house.  Plus, as little as screen time as the kids had, the little boys were both very convincing!  Elise and her team was pretty interesting.  They had an amazing vibe on screen to amplify the scare factor. Loved the character of Elise! She had to be all over the place with her reactions.  The same applies for her assistants! The cast was just outstanding!

insidious elise specs

 

James Wan is awesome in these spirits and evil horror genre.  I have seen nothing else from this guy.  However, I do have a little issue with his camera work.  However, if he does apply that to Fast 7, I think it might be alright ;).  I just can’t see this guy jumping into the action flick area though.  On another note, I’m excited to see Insidious Chapter 2 because it is what I need to wrap up this scary piece of entertainment.  At least I hope it will…its just how I am with horror flicks.

This is a definite YES! Horror fans should see this! Its awesomely scary with a mix of jump scares, eerie music and lots of creepy scenes! The music compliments it and the acting is pretty decent.  There was a lot hidden in the scenes if you look hard enough which makes it very intelligent.  I may be cursing myself and saying that I won’t see another horror for a while.  Whats sleep, right? Especially if its lost over a great movie 😉 This is most positively one of the scariest movie I have seen!

I’m usually the slow pokes at horror movies, so tell me, have you seen this?  Did you like it? Was there something you didn’t like it? Is it something you want to see? Anxious to see the sequel (which I think is coming out later this year)?

 

29 thoughts on “Insidious (2010)

  1. I enjoyed this though it was an okay horror but I can’t say it scared me quite the same bit I am tough to scare tbh. The bit with the kid running through the house from nowhere in the day was good and there was really good atmosphere. The end got silly but I did like the very final twist.

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    • You put kids into any horror and it always is a good part. That part was pretty creepy. The ending was somewhat predictable, I must say. Still, it had its effect on me. Probably it was from the atmosphere…I`m still quite an amateur at horror 🙂

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      • Horror is one of those things, everyone is different and that the effect it had on you which is exactly what it is intended to do, it’s a very primal thing. Paranormal activity is one the scariest films I have ever seen amongst hundreds over the years, thats the effect it had on me but others just laugh it off.

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    • I don`t watch a lot of horror so I don`t get know how to critique it, to be honest. I get scared easily so its easy for me to truly enjoy horror, even the pretty blah ones. Plus, spirits creep me out..it comes with the Chinese background, believing in ghosts and whatnot 😉 Thanks Nick!

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  2. I didn’t love it and I really like Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne (and I’ve always had a thing for Hershey – yum) (I’m old)…

    Here’s a blurb from one of my first write-ups (spelling errors corrected here):

    I will admit that most of the movie is creepy and the atmosphere and jumps are there. I really liked the two psychic technicians and the way they interacted with each other. I like Rose Byrne and the opening credits, but the last act was stupid to me and I hate “serious” movies that leave me with these types of questions:

    How did this high school teacher afford these two houses and five mouths to feed on his salary?

    Why would a kid that age go up into the ancient attic alone following the creepy noises?

    Why was the director’s name and a doodle of the “Saw” puppet on the blackboard when he dismisses his students but not there when he wakes up from his nap?

    If “The Further” is made up of human souls who want to get back to the land of the living, why is there a cloven hooved demon there in the first place?

    Why would the filmmakers make said demon look so much like Darth Maul?

    Why did the ghosts smile?

    I’m happy you liked it and got scared – it just kind of puzzled me….

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    • AHHH Eric, this is passion! You posted up your review here…LOL!
      You see, I was kinda laughing at why the kid would go up to the attic as well. Plus, I kept saying that there are lots of bad parenting in this.. haha!
      I only acknowledged the boyfriend as I was flipping through pictures for this…I didn`t see that movie so it didn`t catch my eye.
      See, that The Further was kinda funky. And then I was like, so their old place of residence was the hell hole of evil souls or something?
      All I’m saying is, I agree with some of these issues. However, those smiling ghosts were extremely creepy to me. It was evil smiles, ok?
      But you know, you can’t compare your knowledge with mine 😛 I’m just getting back into the horror scene…so anything pretty much gets me. This one had great atmosphere…I guess if the previous horror is The Roommate, this one can easily do its job as well, right? 😉

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  3. You are braver than I am. I can’t even watch scary movies! So reading your reviews will be the closest I ever get to seeing them. I had to cover my face for the previews of this movie so I can’t even imagine sitting through the whole thing. I’d probably have to wear a diaper. Lol.

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    • I do them very rarely! I expect these sleepless nights are going to last for at least a week 😉 I wanted to check this out because I was thinking of going to see The Conjuring at the theatres…but right now, I think I’m going to waive that plan…I don’t think a whole theatre of people want to hear my screams 😉

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  4. Okay, I haven’t seen this movie and haven’t read your review. I’d rather watch the movie before reading the review. Okay, now that that’s out of the way. Why do you torture yourself, Kim? I thought you said you were going to give Horror a rest! Ah, can’t let go of the Dark Side, huh? 🙂 Haha!!

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  5. Good review. Interesting to see what scares other people, as this didn’t really scare me at all. Agree with the others who say it falls apart towards the end. I have seen a lot of horror though. I’m just jaded, I guess. 🙂

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  6. Pingback: Double Feature: Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) & Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) | Tranquil Dreams

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