The Insidious films have probably one of the most original and well made series of horror films to come out in a very long time, The Last Key is the latest in the series.
Throughout the series we've seen renowned parapsychologist Dr. Elise Rainier struggle with demons tormenting the innocent souls of the living, which has been a pretty rough but exciting journey so far. The Last Key is a bit different to her past cases however as Dr. Rainier is forced to go back to her childhood home and face her own demons and the spirits that haunted her and her family as a child. Which is a pretty solid plot but does it deliver the chills?
Well according to the group of young guys who literally jumped and screamed at almost everything that happened... yes. But how does it fare for a seasoned horror veteran? It wasn't terrifying but if you've seen as many horror films as I have you would struggle to find many movies that are. The jump scares are well placed and the suspense that builds while you're expecting a few of them is almost untenable, but it's the scares that come from nowhere that got me a couple of times. This movie isn't just a jump scare fest though, it has a really eerie and almost uncomfortable feeling throughout that really sucks you in and takes you there with the characters. I guess because it's such a personal story for the lead character that you really get drawn in to the world and feel what she feels, it's especially well written in that way. There's also her sidekicks that are very good at what they do but offer a few moments of comedic gold which breaks up the tension masterfully.
I really enjoyed this installment of the Insidious series I feel like it was probably the most complete and well written movie so far, you really felt for the characters, all of them, in some way. I feel like it was written so calmly and in an almost meditative state as the story just has such a perfect flow to it, it rises and falls in the perfect fashion, it keeps you buried in your seat but also on the edge, just when you're getting comfortable something new happens. It's almost like a merry-go-round, where one side you're getting the backstory and well made plot and then it wheels around to the other side where all the bad stuff is happening... it's hard to explain what I mean. They have also left the series open for more movies which could either be good or bad depending on what happens. If Leigh Whannell stays involved I could see it staying good, here's hoping it doesn't end up like the Saw franchise.
I highly recommend Insidious: The Last Key, it was an utterly complete film, it wasn't just a good horror it was a good film full stop and probably my favourite in the Insidious series so far. I'd give it an 8/10 just because the story is so complete and the managed to get me with a couple of the jump scares.