Why, yes, yes we do!
When the first Insidious dropped way back in 2010, it felt like a breath of fresh air in a stagnant paranormal pool. The horror genre had seen some brilliant storytelling gems in the late aughts due to the resurrection of interest in all things paranormal and the film quickly entrenched itself as a large jewel in the classics crown.
It's no surprise that ghosties and thinning spiritual veils have always been favorites in horror but the paranormal industry experienced an unprecedented spike in the mid-2000s, which was kickstarted by the T.A.P.S. gang on television's Ghost Hunters. The powers that be know they can always score a few bucks in spook material but even they were not anticipating just how hungry the world was for specters - both good and evil.
Looking at a post-9/11 world and the growing confusion and fear over new obstacles and unfolding conflicts, it's no wonder everyone was searching for fresh meaning; a new understanding of a taboo topic that may hold hope or offer peace of mind. At the very least, it offered a fun escape from the terrors and uncertainty of reality. It was a way to dive into exaggerated mayhem and be completely safe.
No matter the reasons or origins - let's face it, we get our kicks being scared.
Once Ghost Hunters catapulted, a slew of paranormal products hit the scene. More "reality" ghost hunters and psychics shuffled onto the small screen. Gear like the K2 Meter and Frank's Box sold like hotcakes. Podcasts became an active part of the pop lexicon with smash hits like Ghostly Talk and campy counterparts like The Gore Girl Variety Hour dishing up weekly installments. Haunted sites offered new tour experiences and paranormal conventions crawled out of every tomb.
The paranormal was HOT and Hollywood was eager to cash in.
From Paranormal Activity, 1408, The Messengers and more, we were enjoying the onslaught of fright flicks until a blitzkrieg of low-budget fare hit us until we were numb. It seemed like every story was a generic rehash and every demon wanted the spotlight.
We were growing weary of men chasing moving chairs on the boob tube and all the ghostly trappings that came with it.
And then we saw a little flick about a boy and a red door. We went in with expectations of some jump scares and possession but were knocked back with a bag full of assorted nasties. Paranormal hobbyists rejoiced at the astral projection and wide-variety of hauntings. Horror fans geeked out over the old woman and avalanche of vibrating dread.
Wan and Whannell became terror titans. Lin Shaye rightly became a recognized face and horror staple. Patrick Wilson, a new franchise golden boy.
What most of us loved was that it was a better story than Paranormal Activity. So much of the hauntings and scares resonated with real people who had actual experiences. It was chilling from the first frame to the last. Our brains were deluged with images of an old woman with a candle and chords of "Tip Toe Thru' The Tulips With Me."
Bottom Line: It Was FUN.
We've been given quite a few installments in the Insidious franchise since then. Some interesting story bits and scares strewn about - nothing as impactful as that first film - and yet we persist in watching them. Most likely because we will watch any paranormal movie to feed our addiction but, perhaps, a small part of it has to do with nostalgia. Revisiting original characters and storylines can feel like coming home again, serving as a small fix to feed our cravings for how we felt that very first time.
So, we WILL watch this new take, already secure in the knowledge that while no installment has, or could possibly, live up to the original, it's always nice to stop by and pay our respects. Or in this case, it's always a good time getting to tip toe through the garden.
Check out this Insidious: The Red Door trailer...