Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)
Certified: 15
Duration: 105 minutes
Directed by: James Wan
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye, Barbara Hershey, Steve Coulter, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Andrew Astor, Danielle Bisutti, Tom Fitzpatrick, Michael Beach
KRS release
In 2011, the horror genre was well and truly rocked with Insidious, a movie made on a budget of $1.5 million but which was spooky and disturbing enough to generate $97 million.
James Wan, the director behind the original Saw (2004), has recently delivered The Conjuring, a similarly haunting film and also another cash cow – it closed off with over $300 million in box- office takings. And Insidious: Chapter 2 is already generating very healthy returns.
In 1986, Josh (Patrick Wilson) had undergone a series of haunting experiences, which had involved out-of-body astral projections. It was only through hypnosis that he managed to forget these paranormal events.
This film, set in the present day, picks up where the first film left off: Renai (Rose Byrne) is being questioned by the police in connection with the death of Elise (Lin Shaye), who had also tried to help her husband Josh when he was still a child. Renai has to deal with the fact that her husband may be a killer but also that he may be possessed by some demon from the astral world of The Further.
She and her family thus go to live at Lorraine’s (Barbara Hershey) place but the ghostly appearances start to increase. The piano starts playing by itself and there are increasing signs that Josh is still under possession of the old woman seen in the first film.
Meanwhile, two paranormal investigators, Carl and Specs (Steve Coulter and Leigh Whannell), attempt to unravel what is going on; however, each time they make a discovery, the danger increases.
Wan shows he can do more with less: he can deliver frights, suspense and genuine horror without the need to feature over-the-top gore. Here he was faced with the challenge of continuing the events that had started in the first film and higher expectations from his audience.
He re-teamed with Saw co-writer Leigh Whannell, who also stars in the film, and adopted a more sprawling style – less focused but still very disturbing.
This second chapter also benefits from several standout scenes where the adrenaline is pumped up to the max: being greeted by a little girl who warns you that if you remain there, then she will be made to kill you, is not a normal experience.
This second chapter benefits from several standout scenes where the adrenaline is pumped up to the max
Wan suitably circumvents the plotting problems and sets the film around these scenes. He manages to set up the right ambience with this eerie environment of séances, spirits and ghostly happenings, without overcooking the situation, but keeping his audience on the edge of their seats.
Fans of the first film will not be short-changed... It seems that another franchise is in the making.