After all, Specs and Tucker have never been the focus of any previous INSIDIOUS installments, but rather provided important brief moments of levity to give audiences a chance to breathe and have a break from the tension. You may notice the wording used in that last sentence and find it odd. Whannell also stars in the film as Specs, part of the sidekick ghost hunting duo that provide technical assistance to Dr.
#INSIDIOUS THE LAST KEY MOVIE SERIES#
Returning to pen this entry (as he did the previous three) is series co-creator (and director of INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3) Leigh Whannell. While some scenes may give audiences a quick jolt, the film never creates any lasting feeling of terror. Those scares are hit or miss, with a few genuine moments of surprise but many more of the telegraphed typical horror film variety.
It’s actually somewhat shocking that the film maintains a PG-13 rating with the heavy content, but like other films in the series it does shy away from blood and guts, relying more on jump scares and atmosphere to provide the audience a sense of fear. The details behind this particular occurrence are fairly dark in nature and the plot gets even more serious as it progresses. This insight into her childhood family dynamic and living situation immediately sets the stage for what will be her most personal haunting experience yet, when she returns to this childhood home much later in life to face off against a sinister demon. INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY begins with a flashback to a young Elise (series star Lin Shaye) living in her home on a prison campus. I’m going into this one with pretty low expectations and hoping to be pleasantly surprised. It’s not unheard for little known horror directors to surprise with a good film, but it is rare that fourth entries in a horror franchise ever live up to their original material. Now director Adam Robitel is attached for yet another Lin Shaye led sequel. Admittedly, INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 was a letdown and Wan’s absence was felt as co-creator Leigh Whannell took over directing duties. While James Wan has gone on to make much more masterful horror films in THE CONJURING series, his ability to create atmospheric dread made the series one I could stomach more than the blood and gore pictures in this genre. The concept of The Further and exploring a place where spirits roam while trying to attach themselves to the living is certainly an intriguing one. I acknowledge that it isn’t the best horror out there, but I very much enjoy the first two films in this franchise, and due to a strong final act I even don’t mind the third chapter.
The INSIDIOUS series has always been a guilty pleasure of mine.