INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 3

US, 2015, 97 minutes, colour.
Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson.
Directed by Leigh Whannell.

Insidious Chapter 3 is rather a misnomer. It is a prequel to Insidious and Insidious 2.

The focus of this film is a teenager, Quinn, played by Stefanie Scott, who is grieving the death of her mother and who goes to visit the house which will become famous in the previous Insidious films, to consult Elise, hoping that she will be able to make contact with her dead mother. Elise refuses but has a sense that Queen is in need of help.

At home, things are chaotic, her father, Dermot Mulroney, is anxious to keep his job, look after his children, grief for his wife. In the meantime, Quinn is rehearsing for an audition and goes to it, having a sense of her mother there, but also of a presence in the street and being hit by a car.

The film builds up a sense of apprehension, the introduction of a sinister presence, Quinn confined to bed and wheelchair, her father going to see Elise who comes to the home for a session to communicate with the mother but also to confront the sinister presence who is trying to possess Quinn. Also in the act are the two Spectre Sighters from the previous films, Australians Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson. Leigh Whannell was responsible, with his writing and directing partner, James Wan, for Saw, has written and directed this film – James Wan directing the previous two films.

It is good to see Lin Shaye in a substantial role, which she played in the previous two films.

1. The popularity of the Insidious series? Horror, communication with the world, the role of the dead, demonic pursuits?

2. This film is a prequel, presupposing audience knowledge of what was to happen in the house, the similar experiences?

3. Home, apartments and corridors, New York City, auditions, an atmosphere of reality? The musical score?

4. Atmosphere, the slow burn at the beginning? Apprehensions, contact, the mysterious figure, the mother’s presence, the man trying to breathe, the noises, the crack in the ceiling, the black footprints? Quinn and her dreams, and the floor upstairs, the sinister presence? The other world, possession, the mother, the creature, destruction?

5. Quinn, her age, the death of her mother and her grief, the decision to visit Elise, at the door, at least taking pity on her, listening to the story, her attempt to communicate with her mother? At home, and her father being flustered, the young boy, the pressure on her? Breakfast, food and the fridge, preparation for school? The father and his missing his wife? Going to school, Hector and his friendship, his father? Harry and his wife?

6. Quinn and her friend, chatting, going to the audition, nerves? Seeing the presence? In the street, seeing the presence, hit by the car? Going to the hospital, concern? At home, her broken legs, in bed, the bell, the visit of her friend, texting Hector?

7. The father and his response, the ceiling, with the janitor, the footprints, finding Quinn in the room, saving her from falling, his decision to visit Elise after listening to his daughter?

8. Elise, coming, the decision to have the session, the visuals, at the table, apprehensiveness, Quinn, Elise talking with the mother?

9. Elise and the dream, the confrontation with the Demon, asking the mother to help, Quinn and her not having any eyes, held, the monstrous presence? The mother helping, Elise and the rescue? Quinn returning?

10. The two workers, and their truck, helping Elise, her friendship with them, participating in the seance, apprehensions – their future Insidious work?

11. Elise’s warning, and not to have any contact with her mother afterwards? Happy?

12. Elise, the house, deciding to sell it? The future Insidious experiences?