Film Analysis: ‘Insidious: The Red Door’ Stumbles in Delivering a Successful Finale for the Series

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The fifth edition of the “Insidious” series, “Insidious: The Red Door”, makes an attempt to reconnect with its original premise, echoing a sense of reunion for the film’s terror-stricken central characters.

The ensemble cast of Patrick Wilson, Ty Simpkins, Rose Byrne, and Andrew Astor, reunites in “Insidious: The Red Door”. Your inclination to open this metaphorical door may rest on your desire to see the series through to its end. For others, the prospect of leaving this door unopened may seem perfectly satisfactory.

The narrative picks up nine years after the second chapter of the franchise, released in 2013. The Lambert family, our heroes, are not faring well. With the parents, portrayed by Wilson and Byrne, now divorced, and their college-aged son, Dalton (Ty Simpkins), in a state of resentment towards his father. A frustrated Dalton cries out, “You really don’t know me!”

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The complicated father-son relationship forms a major plot point here, but the primary cause of their mutual discontent might be their suppressed memories of fighting off demons in a shadowy dimension known as The Further.

The Further, a sort of pre-“Stranger Things” Upside Down, is defined as “a world far beyond our own, yet it’s all around us, a place without time as we know it, a dark realm filled with the tortured souls of the dead, a place not meant for the living.” Sounds familiar, Hollywood?

Father and son are bonded by a unique talent — the ability to astral project, or separate their spirits from their bodies to traverse other realms. However, this gift comes with a heavy price — the son spent a year in a coma and the father was possessed by a demon, prompting him to try to murder his family. These memories were supposed to be erased.

As the father and son unravel The Further in this latest chapter, the film slowly devolves into chaos, using shock-tactic visuals such as disturbing dolls in a birdcage, a demon regurgitating, or circus contortionists emerging from sofas.

It’s regrettable because Wilson, who not only acts but also takes the helm as the director for the first time, delivers a commendable effort. He even contributes a vocal performance for the closing credits, partnering with Swedish rock band Ghost for “Stay”. It wouldn’t be shocking if Wilson was secretly running the projector at your neighborhood cinema.

The script, penned by franchise newcomer Scott Teems, leans towards fan fiction, paying homage to franchise staples such as the camper light, a haunting rendition of “Tiptoe Through the Tulips”, and a box of old photos of the father. However, the plot largely seems to lose direction.

In truth, Byrne and Astor barely get any screen time, and the main focus is on Wilson and Simpkins. The father attempts to make sense of his “foggy” feelings, while Dalton’s memories are sparked by a dynamic art teacher who imparts this philosophy: “You must let go of your past.”

The film introduces a few intriguing elements, like a hair-raising scene set in an MRI machine. Portions of “Insidious: Chapter 2” — including the final scene and a pivotal fight — are reused extensively. Sinclair Daniel provides some comedic moments and a dash of realism as the son’s college friend, although her character’s arc is left disappointingly unresolved. The finale of the movie feels overloaded with unresolved subplots and unearned reunions.

If you’re a die-hard fan of the “Insidious” series, feel free to watch the original Lambert family foursome confront the ghastly demons one last time. But for the rest, perhaps it’s better to let bygones be bygones?

“Insidious: The Red Door”, distributed by Sony Pictures and opening in theaters this Friday, has a PG-13 rating for “violence, terror, frightening images, strong language and suggestive references.” The film has a runtime of 107 minutes and has been rated two out of four stars.

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MPAA’s Definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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Online: https://www.insidious.movie

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You can find Mark Kennedy at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits

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More about Insidious: The Red Door review

• Insidious Official Website
• Mark Kennedy on Twitter
• Sony Pictures
• MPAA’s Rating Definition
• Patrick Wilson IMDb