REVIEW: Insidious: The Red Door (2023)

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Insidious: The Red Door embarks on a chilling odyssey into the depths of supernatural horror, deftly guided by director Patrick Wilson in his debut at the helm. As the fifth installment in the esteemed Insidious franchise, the film masterfully crafts a sinister narrative of forgotten memories, familial discord, and the malevolent specters lurking within the shadows.

Set nine years subsequent to the events of Insidious: Chapter 2, the story introduces us to a fractured realm where Josh Lambert's haunting history remains concealed within his suppressed recollections. Patrick Wilson's portrayal of Josh navigates a life scarred by divorce, bereavement, and strained relationships. The passing of his mother, Lorraine, marks the commencement of unsettling encounters that plunge into the core of unresolved family dynamics.

The plot gains momentum as Josh's son, Dalton, embodied by Ty Simpkins, unwittingly sketches an ominous depiction of the eponymous red door—a portal to the disquieting realm known as The Further. As spectral phenomena unfurl, the magnitude of the red door's legacy transcends mere superstition. Josh's clash with the vengeful spirit of his estranged father reveals layers of emotional turmoil, melding the supernatural with deeply ingrained familial discord.

In parallel with his father's journey, Dalton's path takes a foreboding twist as he wrestles with his burgeoning ability to astral project. The fusion of contemporary technology, such as YouTube videos expounding astral projection, with the sagacity of Elise Rainier from preceding films ensures a seamless continuity within the franchise. The juxtaposition of a frat party scene—blending the mundane with the paranormal—amplifies tension as Dalton and his friend Chris stumble upon a ghastly presence.

The film thrives on meticulously choreographed sequences that ratchet up suspense, leaving audiences perpetually on edge as maleficent forces tighten their grip on the characters. The return of the red-faced demon, a specter haunting both Josh's past and Dalton's present, serves as a chilling reminder that certain horrors defy the confines of time.

The intricate interplay between Josh, Dalton, and the supernatural culminates in a climactic showdown within The Further. Josh's veiled memories resurface, paralleled by Dalton's escalating astral projection proficiency, as past trauma and paranormal dread coalesce in an exhilarating confrontation. The hellish lair of the red-faced demon serves as a visceral backdrop, heightening the dread enveloping the characters.

Insidious: The Red Door adeptly pays homage to its franchise's legacy while forging a distinctive trajectory. Patrick Wilson's dual role as both director and actor adds nuanced depth to the film's eerie ambiance, while the screenplay by Scott Teems and Leigh Whannell delves into the psychological terrors of suppressed memories and fractured bonds. The film's adept fusion of the mundane with the supernatural underscores the filmmakers' commitment to the genre's evolutionary progression.

Positives:

Outstanding visual effects and makeup design evoke an unsettling unease. The script is well-crafted, buoyed by a compelling performance from Patrick Wilson.

Several well-executed jump scares contribute to the film's tension, adding to its allure.

Negatives:

Occasionally, the film takes itself too seriously, and its PG-13 rating limits the gore that horror enthusiasts might anticipate.

Overall:

Insidious: The Red Door emerges as a commendable addition to the Insidious saga, offering a spine-chilling narrative that lingers long after the final credits. While it may not align with the tastes of more discerning critics, general aficionados of horror will undoubtedly relish it.

While it may lack the gore sought by some, it maintains a sufficiently eerie ambiance to satisfy.

I rate Insidious: The Red Door a respectable 7.5/10.

Now playing in theaters!

In cinemas now!

And also available on Apple TV at https://apple.co/3KvRoOJ and Amazon at https://amzn.to/3OHVaak

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