Insidious: Out of the Further (2026)

Insidious: Out of the Further is written and directed by Jacob Chase, who has made some solid shorts in the past but is making the first major motion picture of his that I've seen. There is very little to criticize about his direction, particularly when it comes to setting up scares. Chase understands how to build tension and makes especially good use of the film's more claustrophobic scenes, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere without relying entirely on cheap jump scares. The direction and horror setup are the film's strongest elements, even if the overall story doesn't quite reach the level needed for a full recommendation.

Amelia Eve delivers a performance that feels reminiscent of Naomi Watts in The Ring. She channels that same exhausted and increasingly desperate energy, making her character feel convincing as the supernatural events escalate around her. The performance fits the tone of the franchise well and helps ground the film's more unsettling moments.

Lin Shaye, known for A Nightmare on Elm Street and Critters, returns as the franchise's horror royalty and proves she hasn't lost a step at 82. Given what happened to her character in previous installments, you may have thought her time with the series was finished, but she's just as sharp with her dialogue as ever. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how impressive she remains, and while I hope this isn't her last outing, I wouldn't be surprised if it is.

Charli Penton plays the young Gemma and stands out as the stronger of the film's two child actresses. She handles the horror material well and gives the character more presence than expected. Maisie Richardson-Sellers, known for The Originals and Legends of Tomorrow, also has a memorable role and makes an impression whenever she's on screen. Unfortunately, her character is somewhat one-dimensional, limiting what she can do with the performance.

Overall, Insidious: Out of the Further delivers what horror fans expect from the franchise, with good scares, effective tension, and particularly strong claustrophobic sequences. Jacob Chase shows a good understanding of how to stage horror, while the cast, especially Lin Shaye, helps elevate the material. It falls just short of being something I would actively recommend to everyone, but horror fans will probably see it regardless and should find enough here to enjoy. Result: B

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