Review of Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) by D.a. Z — 29 Mar 2014

If you have yet to watch the first installment of Insidious-in all its bloodcurdling glory-stop reading this, run to your Netflix account or nearest Redbox, and watch it as soon as possible. Then, and only then, should you proceed, because a sequel as cleverly orchestrated as Insidious: Chapter 2 will only be fully appreciated with the first film as a frequent reference.

As a quick refresher, Insidious tells the dark tale of Dalton, the son of Josh and Renai Lambert. Dalton has the ability to astral project, a supernatural power that allows his soul to travel through spiritual planes while he sleeps. A demonic force kidnaps Dalton during one of his projections, and his father is forced to astral project into a spiritual plane, named The Further, to save his son. Although Dalton is rescued, the film ends with the shocking realization that a demon has possessed his father, who proceeds to murder a psychic that aided them throughout the film.

Insidious: Chapter 2 starts off hours after Insidious ends, with Renai Lambert discussing the death of the psychic with a detective, and specifically, the possibility of her husband being the murderer. She remains unconvinced that her husband is capable of such a brutal act, and the family moves on happily unscathed. Only they don't. Supernatural occurrences and ghastly apparitions begin haunting the Lambert family once again. Dalton suspects something is wrong with his father, and as audience members, we are particularly well informed about his father's possession and why the acts of terror do not cease.

As the film progresses, the plot brilliantly thickens with narratives that occur in different time periods, yet also seem to happen simultaneously. As we try making sense of this conundrum, the hauntings and time-travel elements become increasingly mind-boggling. This deeply layered mythology in Insidious: Chapter 2 is what makes it such a fantastically unprecedented experience. The film is also deeply integrated with specific events from the first film, creating an expansive storyline that will leave fans in awe.

Unfortunately, the suspense in Insidious: Chapter 2 is scarce, relying on poorly executed jump-scares as a pathetic excuse for horror. It frequently channels cult classics such as The Shining and A Nightmare on Elm Street, and although it integrates its own supernatural twist, it lacks the deep sense of intense terror from the first film entirely. Ultimately, Insidious: Chapter 2 has many opportunities to terrify audiences, and it unwittingly sacrifices far too many of them.