Pure evil threatens to bring the dead back into the world of the living in this sixth instalment of the supernatural horror franchise, which started in 2010. They are trapped in purgatory, an astral dimension known as The Further, and a young Pittsburgh mother and dentist, Gemma (Amelia Eve) holds the key. A malevolent entity, Cyrus (Sam Spruel) recognises that Gemma has the unique ability to travel back and forth between the real world and The Further.
Gemma, who is a single mother raising smart nine-year-old daughter Maya (Island Austin) in her childhood home experiences a series of terrifying nightmares. It is left to a tattooist, Claire (Maisie Richardson-Sellers), who channels dead psychic medium Elise Rainer (Lin Shaye), to explain to Gemma what is happening. Incidentally, Rainer has appeared in all Insidious movies, even though she died at the end of the first film.
Cyrus previously tried to bring back the dead through Gemma’s mother, Ingrid (Laura Gordon). That was in 1999 and the attempt failed when Ingrid committed suicide in front of her daughter (the young Gemma is played by Charli Penton). As a result, Gemma carries with her deep-seated trauma and a hatred for her mother, who she refuses to talk about to her own daughter, Maya.
The concern is that if the malevolent entity is blocked entry into the real world by Gemma, it will move on to Maya and continue its insatiable quest. Also in the picture is Gemma’s concerned policeman boyfriend, Nick (Brandon Perea), who is desperate to protect Gemma from harm. He, too, comes to realise the strength of evil intent.
The sequel to Insidious: The Red Door (2023) also involves movement through a mysterious red door. Written and directed by Jacob Chase (Come Play), it is suitably creepy and features a series of jump scares. Atmospherics have a large part to play and that includes music, costuming and ghoulish make-up.
Three decidedly out of place acolytes suddenly appear on the street where Gemma and Maya live and that marks a significant turning point. It is when the screws start to tighten. Although they don’t utter a word, they have an unmistakable presence. Just wait until one of them appears for a dental consultation. A maze of furniture traps Gemma in a claustrophobic scene. Liberal use of a fog machine is a further portent of the sinister. We see shadowy figures darting across the screen at speed and hear things that go bump in the night.
Amelia Eve makes a good fist of the deeply troubled mother, while the fearful and distressed looks in the child actors’ eyes are suitably evocative. The longer the film goes, the more it pushes towards the outrageous. Just strap yourselves in for a wild ride. Rated M, Insidious: Out of the Further scores a 6 out of 10.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
