Insidious: Chapter 2 review

Family demons

Horror. It's a genre that is probably the most complex in terms of being universally understood. More so than romances or comedies, it's particularly hard to create something that everyone will like because there are so many ways of making someone scared. Some people like gore, some people like jumps and some people just don't know what they want!

It's fair to say, screenwriter Leigh Whannell and director James Wan take horror seriously, which could be seen as an ironic statement as Insidious: Chapter 2 sometimes appears a little on the silly side, but that's exactly the point. They're evidently not afraid to make their horrors "complete-package movies", with hints of comedy, old-school style and most importantly, a story.  Nor do they think that a horror can't be a blockbuster hit. (Despite what the critics say, Chapter 2 smashed it's opening weekend by raking in $41 million) and their ambition shows.

In a genre so bogged down by B-Movie influence or found-footage films, Wan and Whannell push aside all of those modern day conventions and strive to make more intelligent, classic HORROR and deliver.

It's such a positive that not only the duo returned for the second film, but the whole acting cast too. Chapter 2 truly feels like an extension of 2010's Insidious, almost making the viewers feel like they're watching an extended cut.

Starting exactly where we left off in the previous film, Chapter 2 ups the ante from the first instalment, providing not only more scares but a more-fleshed out, solid plot, based entirely around the actions of the first, as the Lambert's are still plagued by the entities moving things around and pestering them no end. 

After Josh (Patrick Wilson) came back from The Further at the end of film No.1, his wife Renai (Rose Byrne) and his family can't help but feel he's a little altered. The film is almost split into forever-altering segments, focussing on different characters and aspects of the plot, as well as different time periods. The whole story is centred around Josh and his connection with the spirit world, explaining his troubled childhood and his relationships with the characters seen in the first film.  

Wilson's talents shine in 'Chapter 2'

Patrick Wilson is particularly notable in this instalment as he gets to display his acting talents a lot more than he did in the first. His role in The Conjuring was slightly backgrounded, but as the story here surrounds his character, past and present, he gets a lot of airtime and he knows what to deal with it. 

Calling Chapter 2 merely just a sequel wouldn't be fair, it's more of an explanation of the events of the first, whilst moving the story along at the same time. It is almost a prequel and a sequel wrapped into one movie, and that couldn't have been an easy feat! By the end of the movie, audiences will be satisfied with how things were wrapped up and every loose end is tied up. 

Writer Whannell reprises his role as Specs, and Lin Shaye is back as Elise

Wan's cinematography is starting to become recognisable across many of his movies, Death Sentence, Insidious and The Conjuring all possessed a similar muted tone, close-up shots and old-style treatment and it looks brilliant cinematically. 

All things considered, it's impossible to knock Insidious: Chapter 2 for being a bad movie. It has humour, genuinely creepy moments, time jumps, the supernatural and doesn't show any signs of struggling, dealing with all of this. It is scary without being filled with violence which appears to give it more elegance than so many horror movies nowadays. And, lastly, it is clear the story has been thought-out, it's not just about the body count!

Wan has been documented, saying that he is 'done with horror' which seems odd as this film certainly ends on a scene that looks like it's leading to another follow-up. Towards the end, the film seems to shift it's focus from the Lambert family to clairvoyant Elise and her rookie team, so does this mean Insidious: Chapter 3 WILL happen? It just won't be under the watchful eye of Wan and starring his right-hand man Wilson? Those that appreciate stylish, intelligent horror hope not, but only time will tell.