Latest ‘Insidious’ installment saved by scare factor
Insisious: Chapter 3 offers scares but lacks substance
“Insidious: Chapter 3” is a series of cheap jump scares that suffers from a dull plot. The story follows Quinn Brenner (Stefanie Scott), a teenager who is haunted by a demon spirit after she tries to contact her deceased mother on her own. To destroy this demon, her father, Sean Brenner (Dermot Mulroney), enlists the help of the reluctant psychic Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye).
Bottom line, “Insidious: Chapter 3” is a marginal improvement over the second chapter, with effective jump scares and good directing, but overall, the film fails to mirror the scares of the original film. “Insidious: Chapter 3” borrows elements from “The Exorcist” but does little to surpass the film. There is nothing original about the script, but the frightening scenes do make this horror film sufficient with its scare factor.
The best aspect of the film was how the director depicted the evolution of Shaye’s character, a recurring medium in the series. Her backstory reveals rather well how she struggled with the use of her gift, and sets the stage for the original film by introducing familiar supporting actors and demons.
Audiences who look forward to jumping in their seats will enjoy “Insidious: Chapter 3” because it frequently uses this ploy throughout the film. However, these jump scares cannot hide a weak script, no matter how effective they are individually. Luckily, supporting actress Shaye steals the show, providing a stellar performance and making the film more bearable to get through.
Rating: 2.5/5
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