Entering The Red Door offers up a mixed bag of thrills and disappointments.
While the film capitalises on ‘jump scares’ to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, it falls short when it comes to delivering a compelling and meaningful addition to the much-liked franchise.
The final (though you never know these days!) chapter sees Josh (Patrick Wilson) and his now college-aged son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) going deeper into ‘The Further’ than ever before – facing their family’s dark past and terrors that lurk behind an ominous red door.
Wilson steps into the director’s chair for the first time with this fifth instalment, and despite the film’s shortcomings, he successfully showcases his potential as a director.
The filmmaker’s understanding of pacing and visual storytelling is evident throughout, but it’s such a shame that the script didn’t provide him with a stronger foundation to fully flex his directorial muscles.
The biggest let-down lies in its unnecessary – and quite lacklustre – storyline. Unlike its predecessors – which delved into the depths of the paranormal world – this fails to bring anything truly innovative to the table. The plot feels contrived and lacks the depth and complexity that fans have come to expect from the Insidious series.
That being said, the film does indeed manage to deliver on its promise of scary moments – and plenty of them! These well-executed and expertly timed moments of terror provide genuine tension and excitement.
Which means Insidious: The Red Door definitely opens up for horror fans looking for a quick adrenaline rush fix – but will remain locked if you’re searching for anything new.
ESP Rating: 2.5/5
Mikey Clarke
Showcase Cinema De Lux Peterborough, Out Now
Cast: Ty Simpkins, Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Sinclair Daniel, Hiam Abbass, Andrew Astor, Juliana Davies, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson & Lin Shaye
Running Time: 1 Hr 47 Mins
Director: Patrick Wilson