Review: Insidious – Chapter 2 / Cert: 15 / Director: James Wan / Screenplay: Leigh Whannell / Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey / Release Date: Out Now

Insidious: Chapter 2 picks up in the moments following the conclusion of what we thought was Insidious’ then self-contained narrative. A turn of the metaphorical page and we are thrust back into the second part of the Lamberts’ supernatural nightmare. From the threat of possession to actual possession, Chapter 2 tells the story of Josh’s (Wilson) liberation from the Further, where he is trapped following the possession of his body by his childhood tormentor, the Bride in Black.

The original was a film of courage and brilliance as Wan and writer Leigh Whannell dared to make a decisive tonal change that provoked and continues to provoke a polarising reaction within the horror community. Suddenly they dragged us off the roller coaster of terrifying, suspenseful horror and thrust us into the realm of the fantastical. This time round, expectations will be raised, and therein lies the problem, because Insidious: Chapter 2 is a disappointing retread, nowhere near as terrifying as Insidious, its exploration of the Further less creatively compelling.

The genuine scares are few and far between. Wan trots out his usual tricks, but by now we’re becoming desensitized to them and they’re beginning to seem tired and worn. The Bride in Black, in particular, pales in comparison to the menacing demon of the first film. The whole thing lacks the suspense, heightened fantasy, and menace of its predecessor, and a nonsensical and manipulative possession plot doesn’t help. Unlike Insidious, which packed a powerful punch that stayed with you for days and nights after the fact, Insidious: Chapter 2 is likely to be one of those movies that quickly slips your mind.

Expected Rating: 7 out of 10

Actual Rating: