So got to checking out the last (or is it?) installment of Insidious over the weekend. Did a chronological binge of the previous films too, particuarly since the word was that part 5 is actually more a direct sequel to part 2 more than anything. The previous two entries ended up being both prequels too so I went 3, 4, 1, and then 2 for the order.
Anyhow, after seeing the new one, I felt very underwhelmed. The film felt more dramatic and slow building than any of the others for sure.
The first hour was far too much dramatic introspection particularly with father/son themes....it got repetitive and kinda jarring how heavy handed they were going with it. It was nice to see them draw deeply into the events of the first and second film in why things are disconnected with those two characters, but they just went too long in the tooth with it. Plus just getting to where things "opened up" with tension and terror, jump scares, etc, was a chore to get to that point.
While it was a satisfying conclusion (generally, but I still have issues with it) to the Lambert family trilogy, it felt like we got little to no real finality on the demons parasites ghosts etc who inhabit this world and why and how of it all. I was hoping for more of a robust explanation/extended mythology on all that, now five films in. They also didn't touch upon the ending of the third film at all which has a super young Jenna Ortega in a blink and you will miss it moment.
My guess is judging by the after the credits scene, this franchise isn't done but the Lambert story is. I wouldnt be shocked if we do see a next installment directly follow the end of Insidious 3. But time will tell. Adding Jenna Ortega into the frey some more in a future installment isn't the worst idea in the world either.
