2. Insidious (2010)
INSIDIOUS, Patrick Wilson, 2010. ©FilmDistrict/courtesy Everett Collection
A true classic among the younger generation. Insidious is tighter than Saw, although being a completely different movie. For Wan, it was a major improvement in acting, directing, and script. Still as much of a thriller, but much more of a horror, Wan sharpens the scares and decidedly backs off the body horror.
The supernatural element may seem goofy but if you buy into the first 20 minutes of the film, it makes for a much scarier ending. In short, the story revolves around Dalton, who’s become possessed because his father (Patrick Wilson), never got rid of the demon when he was younger. Now, the demon is here to stay and it’s put to Dalton’s Father and Mother (Rose Byrne) to get their son back from the spirit realm.
James Wan’s style is still seen throughout, especially in the washed out tone, making the entire film a lot more bleak. What makes it not as scary as The Conjuring is it has to rely on jump scares rather than showing the horror on screen. However, most have to do with the plot, and some are unexpected, making up for the PG-13 rating.
Warning: Do not be thrown off by the MPAA Rating. This film is still one of the scariest out there.
*Note: This film also spawned three sequels, none of which I have watched so I can’t really recommend them.
Streaming on Netflix.
