Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)

Posted on June 10, 2015 by emmakwall

I like the Insidious films so I was pretty excited to watch the third chapter last night. And Jordan I’m sorry, but I didn’t throw any popcorn. At those prices?! I’m not wasting it.

insidious3

So the first Insidious movie, released in 2010, scared me a lot. It was the first ‘typical horror film’ in a while that actually had an effect. I can watch a scary movie, not be scared and still enjoy it – but Insidious made me feel like a frightened kid again. I really rate James Wan and Leigh Whannell and they’ve already made some great films for this generation. Insidious 2, whilst not as good or scary as the original was still a decent film and better-than-average sequel. There was a coherent plot which tied in with the first movie but also told its own story.

One of the fun things about a movie franchise is following it until the end, even if at times it does get a little silly or complicated (Saw 4 – 7). Me and my friend Becky have now watched all three Insidious films together and it’s almost turned into something of an event!

So anyway, this is the first of the series to be directed by Whannel who also plays hapless ghostbuster ‘Specs’. He and his partner Tucker provide some really good laughs – I like a bit of character in any film I’m watching and genuinely enjoy their presence. They are funny!

specsandtucker

It’s nice to have decent characters in a supernatural horror film. How often does it happen nowadays, really? And let’s not forget the Ghost Hunter General herself – Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye who unbelievably is 71!)

elise

Insidious 3 is a prequel (yep another one), set before the events of the original film. There’s a whole new family and a whole new bad guy. You don’t need to have watched the first two films at all, there are references and recurring characters but it matters little and this is still a strong stand-alone film.

The story centres around a young girl called Quinn who lives with her dad and brother in an old apartment block. Quinn begins to attract the wrong kind of attention whilst trying to contact her deceased mother and finds herself in a battle against evil. You know – the usual.

quinn

I won’t bother droning on too much about the plot, what do you really need to know? Most of these films have a fairly generic storyline but it’s the scares and atmosphere that make it so enjoyable.

Quinn soon finds herself being stalked by the disturbing Man Who Can’t Breathe. He has a real physical presence in the film, more so than your average entity and sometimes came across more like a real life predator. He also looks totally freaky and sounds really horrible – the sort of creature that nightmares are made of. Well mine are anyway, maybe you’re scared of bunnies like Anya from Buffy – that’s up to you.

The tone of the film is Insidious all over and though a lot of the scares do come via shock tactics and suspense it’s important to mention it IS still scary. Last night I fell asleep with my lamp switched on and this wasn’t a coincidence. But that’s just what I love about these movies! They invoke childlike irrational fears of the bogeyman hiding under my bed – they’re a fun kind of scary. Demonic faces, misty corridors, horrible eyes, things that go bump in the night. I do love most types of horror but admit I’ll always be the most scared by some ugly, raspy fucker that walks like a weirdo and hides in the shadows. Or a kid that’s been possessed by the devil. Obvs.

Of course it’s not a perfect movie. The kid brother is pointless, so are some of the neighbours and parts of the storyline seemed rather irrelevant or the other end of the scale – too convenient. But this is a horror film, what’s new? I certainly won’t split hairs over a film that made me keep my light on.

As the three films go, this might actually be the stronger sequel though the family are less memorable than the Lamberts. It does rely heavily on jumpy scenes but jumpy is good! Isn’t it? As I watched the scariest moments (through my hands) I knew something would happen. It did happen and I still jumped. It’s a really tense, atmospheric film but happily, the visual scares are also in big supply.

_1414117383

You can probably tell I enjoyed this movie and I’m not sure if it’s because I had low expectations and was pleasantly surprised – but in any case, it was fun.

It won’t be for everyone and I’ve already read some meanie reviews from stuffy critics (bore off) but in my opinion, which is far more important than stuffy critic opinion, these films are a great modern franchise! They’re good, old fashioned horror movies with strong characters, decent dialogue, terrifying bad guys, clever suspense and of course the fantastically scary music the Insidious films are now known for. And they’re made by people who actually give a shit about the genre.

Will there be a chapter four? Who knows. But I’ll be there!

insidious

About emmakwall

Films, books, soundtracks, good humour
This entry was posted in Reviews and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

68 Responses to Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)

Newer Comments →
  1. The Vern says:
    June 11, 2015 at 04:22

    Emmy. You say that this is scarier then the 1st. Now I haft to check it out because I really did not like the first one. They tried to make Tiny Tim’s Tiptoe Through the Tulips as something scary when it was just freaking anoying. i know a lot of people were scared shitless by these films but im not one of them. I will however check this one out when it comes to Netflix

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      June 11, 2015 at 09:33

      It could possibly be scarier! But I’d have to watch it again and the first one, to have a true and fair comparison.

      There’s no annoying Tiptoe through the Tulips in this haha. I know what you mean. A bit like Jeepers Creepers (how d’ya get those peepers?)

      Definitely check this out on Netflix but in all honesty it’s got a very similar feel to the first two movies and even thought there’s a new family and villain, you may not enjoy it too much.

      Love ya Verny!

      Like

      Reply
  2. Laura says:
    June 10, 2015 at 20:22

    Emma! I’ll definitely watch this but probably not at the cinema. I liked the other two enough.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      June 11, 2015 at 09:29

      Yay! I think you’ll like this then 🙂 it’s certainly (definitely) on a par with the other two (if maybe even slightly better than the first sequel – was scarier anyway!)

      I’m starting to believe in Insidious! I’m going to champion this modern franchise!

      Like

      Reply
  3. The Telltale Mind says:
    June 10, 2015 at 18:37

    Great job Ems! I am definitely looking forward to this despite what the critics said as well. They can all bore off!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Jay says:
    June 10, 2015 at 17:56

    I don’t and can’t do horror but I’m intrigued by the popcorn throwing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. beetleypete says:
    June 10, 2015 at 17:52

    Insidious 1, OK. Insidious 2, Hmm..Insidious 3? You have to be a fan and watch it with your best mate. (Oh, you did…) And does she look 71? Check out that neck!! She sure does…
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Like

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      June 11, 2015 at 09:27

      I think she looks great! And most 71 year olds are retired not starring in horror movies 🙂 not much we can do about necks, knees or hands I’m afraid – they always show someone’s true age.

      It was a great film, really enjoyable! Obviously not your cup o tea but that’s fine 🙂

      Becky’s not my best mate. We used to live together and have remained friends. We’re both horror movie fans so tend to meet up two or three times a year for a horror film we fancy (including Insidious of course)

      Cheers Pete, best wishes to you too!

      Like

      Reply
  6. lukebbtt says:
    June 10, 2015 at 16:41

    I am a massive Insidious fan. It is one of the few horror movies guaranteed to reduce me to a nervous wreck. And I am loving that they are using a brand new villain. I am going in with lowered expectations, but I reckon it could be comfortably decent. Which is enough for this kind of movie.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • emmakwall says:
      June 11, 2015 at 09:22

      I think lowered expectations are generally best, then (as Yazz once sung) The Only Way Is up! I didn’t expect too much – except some fun at least – and was pleasantly surprised.

      I enjoyed it a lot, it was scarier than the first sequel and could easily have been a stand alone film. The new villain is hideous!!!!!!

      I love the Insidious series too, I think they’re great modern horrors.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. inspired4business says:
    June 10, 2015 at 16:19

    On my weekend to do list!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. theipc says:
    June 10, 2015 at 16:15

    Clam!!!!!

    My dear! I’m so glad you liked it! I’ll probably give it a check when it’s out on VOD : )

    Love Pen!!!!

    P.S. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. That Other Critic says:
    June 10, 2015 at 16:14

    At some point, I’m going to have to try watching horror if I want to stay a movie aficionado, aren’t I? Probably won’t start with this. Maybe some 30’s Dracula or something. I don’t know.
    But great review! And it’s always annoying when stuffy critics act all pompous.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. newguy87 says:
    June 10, 2015 at 16:03

    I am trying to avoid this one so i am not gonna read what you think lol

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
Newer Comments →

Any thoughts?