Insidious (film series)
The Insidious film series is an American horror franchise created by Leigh Whannell, primarily distributed by FilmDistrict and Sony Pictures Releasing. It consists of five films: Insidious (2010), Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013), Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015), Insidious: The Last Key (2018), and Insidious: The Red Door (2023).
The films center around the Lambert family and their connection to a malevolent dimension known as "The Further." The franchise utilizes themes of astral projection, demonic possession, and paranormal investigation. Elise Rainier, a parapsychologist played by Lin Shaye, serves as a central character throughout the series, assisting families haunted by supernatural entities.
Insidious (2010) introduces the Lambert family, whose son Dalton falls into a comatose state that doctors cannot explain. His parents discover that Dalton's spirit is trapped in The Further, a realm of tormented souls, and must journey there to rescue him. Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) continues the story of the Lambert family, revealing more about Josh Lambert's past and his connection to The Further. It explores themes of inherited trauma and demonic influence.
Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) serves as a prequel, focusing on Elise Rainier as she uses her psychic abilities to help a teenage girl, Quinn Brenner, who is being haunted by a demonic entity. Insidious: The Last Key (2018), also a prequel, delves into Elise Rainier's own past and the origins of her abilities, confronting her with the demonic entity that haunted her childhood home.
Insidious: The Red Door (2023) acts as a direct sequel to the first two films, revisiting the Lambert family as Dalton is now a college freshman. Both Dalton and Josh begin experiencing repressed memories and nightmares, forcing them to confront the demons of their past, and venture once again into The Further.
The Insidious franchise is known for its jump scares, suspenseful atmosphere, and exploration of supernatural themes. It has been a commercially successful horror franchise, contributing to the resurgence of supernatural horror films in the 2010s and 2020s.