Insidious: Out of the Further Review: A Welcome Return to the Further
Few horror franchises have found as many reasons to keep returning from the dead as Insidious. Created by Leigh Whannell and James Wan in 2010, the series has enjoyed a surprisingly long run. When I say “surprisingly,” I simply mean that I never expected it to have this much story left to tell, yet it keeps finding its way back to the big screen. Not every entry has stuck the landing for me, but the franchise has remained remarkably consistent and, for the most part, thoroughly enjoyable.
So, when a sixth film was announced, I genuinely could not imagine where else the story could go. As it turns out, that uncertainty worked in the movie’s favour. Insidious: Out of the Further leaves familiar territory behind and introduces Gemma, a young woman with the ability to communicate with spirits and bring them into the world of the living. It is a dangerous twist on one of the franchise’s most familiar ideas, and one that opens the door to a fresh and intriguing new chapter.
Gemma Hall, our new main character, is a dental hygienist raising her young daughter, Maya, on her own. Gemma grew up under similar circumstances, but a tragedy involving her mother continues to influence the way she approaches parenthood.
Determined to give Maya a more stable childhood than her own, Gemma has kept much of her past hidden, believing some doors are better left closed. Unfortunately, this is Insidious, so they never stay closed for long. When disturbing visions begin pulling Gemma into the Further, she is forced to question what really happened to her mother and confront a connection to the spirit world that is far more dangerous than she realizes.
Gemma’s unusually deep connection to the Further allows the film to explore a realm we have visited several times before from a fresh perspective. Instead of immediately explaining everything she can do, the story lets Gemma slowly piece together what is happening alongside the audience. Her confusion gives those early encounters a welcome sense of unpredictability, while the gradual discovery of her abilities introduces new rules and dangers that expand the franchise’s mythology without feeling forced.
Beyond its narrative, Out of the Further is also a genuinely scary movie. I went in expecting something a little goofy and not particularly frightening, so I was pleasantly surprised by how unsettling it became. The spirits roaming the Further are brought to life through some deeply disturbing designs, with a few standing out as some of the franchise’s creepiest creations. The film also delivers several memorable set pieces that make effective use of its supernatural premise, but I will leave those for you to experience for yourself.
The central villain is equally intriguing, bringing an unsettling presence and an interesting motivation to the story. Unfortunately, the film does not explore him as deeply as it could have, leaving parts of his character and history underdeveloped. There is a strong foundation here, but the story never fully capitalizes on his potential. Even so, Out of the Further finds enough new ways to play with the franchise’s world and scares to justify another trip into the Further.
Ultimately, Out of the Further proves that there are still worthwhile stories to tell within this universe, even if the franchise has not always made the most of its ideas. Not every entry has worked for me, but this one shows what Insidious can still deliver when the right creative team comes together. Whether the series continues through more films or eventually expands to television, there is clearly still potential for something frightening, fun, and genuinely fresh to emerge from the Further.
