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SOUND OFF

Sound Off: James Wan's Newest Horror 'Insidious' - Your Thoughts?

by Alex Billington
April 2, 2011

Now that you've seen it, what did you think? Director James Wan may be known for directing the first Saw film in 2004, but he's moved passed that and is back with another fresh new take that could reboot the horror genre once again. In theaters this weekend is Insidious, starring Patrick Wilson & Rose Byrne, which first premiered as an indie film at the Toronto Film Fest. So does it reinvent the horror genre? How are the scares? What do you think of the twists and turns and tonal shifts in the story? What did you think of the last few scenes? If you've seen it, leave a comment below and let us know what you thought of Insidious!

To fuel the fire (spoilers may be included), I actually really, really enjoyed Insidious. I first saw it at its very first Toronto Film Fest premiere (read my review) and although I was scared out of my mind half of the time, I had a good time. I love how insanely creepy it is with the haunted house at the beginning, I love how he twists things up and changes directions and tone midway through, then does it again. It's a great haunted house movie then it almost becomes Sam Raimi does Poltergeist, which I thought was creative and totally fun. I know the response has been polarizing, which I understand, but I still loved it. A new horror favorite.

What did you think of James Wan's Insidious? A creepy new horror classic or complete mess?
We will remove any comments that indicate you have not seen the movie, as this area is meant to discuss the film only once you have seen it and can talk about your thoughts. Please keep the comments civilized!

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32 Comments

meh...

Nick S. on Apr 2, 2011

Just saw insidious tonight and was completely BLOWN AWAY....I went in with high expectations and those were blown out of the water. This is the creepiest movie I've seen in awhile. Lagitametly terrifying. Well worth every penny I spent on it. you can create any movie with a possesed girl, but this master piece is one of a kind! Ten out of ten!

Twitchuc on Apr 2, 2011

Good movie, loved the creepy haunted house scenes, especially at the end! Seems like it was filmed in SoCal, in one of those cool Craftsman houses. Wish there was more of a resolution, it kind of left you wondering. Original story, though, an overall great movie that's not too predictable, scary as hell, but doesn't leave you with a "kinked slinky" when you try to go to sleep! However, I cannot get that bloody "Tiptoe Thru the Tulips" song out of my head (thanks, guys).

Daytami on Apr 2, 2011

I've been hearing everywhere that this is an excellent horror flick. One of the best in a long time. Got to see it.

john s on Apr 2, 2011

saw it last night, it scared the heck out of me. scariest movie I've seen in ages,,,

jac on Apr 2, 2011

Loved it! I love a good haunted house story and after seeing the full trailer, I was compelled to see this. It did not disappoint. Great movie.

Judasbarronx1 on Apr 2, 2011

I thought the first hour was one of the scariest movies I have ever seen. I also thought it got incredibly stupid in the last half hour.

Brian Ricci on Apr 2, 2011

The movie was Fantastic it scared the hell out of my sister she was cussing and jumping out of her seat the whole time and the audience's reactions were Priceless! Did anyone else notice the Drawing of Jigsaw on Josh's Chalkboard at the school I thought that was Funny!

N. on Apr 2, 2011

Sadly I wasn't impressed. The whole thing smacked of a remake of Paranormal Activity. I don't want to post any spoilers so sticking with just the tidbit in the trailer "your son is haunted" isn't this the same premise as P.A.? Again I want to say more but I don't want to ruin anything for someone who might want to see it and might enjoy it. Just not for me.

AudiolaPCb on Apr 2, 2011

The only thing they tell you in Paranormal Activity was that a demon is in their home haunting them. This movie introduced other elements, which may or not have been great. Also, this was actually incredibly creepy and has great sets and photography, whereas Paranormal Activity was awful, and consisted mainly of people sleeping. The story wasn't the best, it wasn't amazing. But the atmosphere, and the typical horror movie molds that were broken definitely put this movie a step ahead of the game. Very well done, and it gave everyone in the theater chills when I went to see it.

Mike P on Apr 2, 2011

Really REALLY enjoyed this flick. Dare I say I am in love with it? Maybe.. It definitely got a little hokey at parts but never enough to take me out of the experience. Some great scares and fantastic tension created. I think this is a must-see

timbuel on Apr 2, 2011

Scared me litterally s#!tless... seriously.

Scared S#!tless on Apr 2, 2011

I COULDNT SLEEP..I WAS UP TILL 5 AM...IF YOUR GOING TO SEE THIS MOVIE BE PEPARED NOT TO SLEEP THAT NIGHT!!

rob on Apr 2, 2011

WOW, thought this was going to be crap, but after a few minutes in it caught my attention and held on. For the first time i have hope for scary movies again.

jvj590 on Apr 2, 2011

I enjoyed the last half of the movie more then the beginning of it. I usaully dont go out to see horror movies, as they were getting to be all the same crap, but I knew this was going to be different, and I was not let down. Any true horror buffs need to go see this movie.

HorrorMovieAficionado on Apr 2, 2011

Right up there with Drag Me to Hell and Descent in my books; all three were great unexpected well done fun!

Hattori Hanzo on Apr 2, 2011

Just saw insidious and I must admit I was totally creeped out. This movie had it all...a fairly original idea, humour, emotion and basically it was just plain SCARY. I left shaking from the theatre and definatley plan to sleep with the lights on tonight. If you are looking for a great thrill like the first scary movie you saw...then this is for you.

Adam on Apr 2, 2011

Watched it in the afternoon and I was impressed. Good scares and just an all around creep fest! James made an instant classic in my opinion. A notch better than drag me to hell though.

Dee on Apr 3, 2011

I saw it last night, it was pretty good, very scary in the beginning, but I felt a bit letdown towards the end, but can someone please explain to me, what did that other family have to do with the movie?

jah p on Apr 4, 2011

they lived in the house b4 i d say

easye on May 2, 2011

I saw this move twice and absolutely loved it! It was a great on the edge of your seat suspense! It made one of the girls in the audience who was watching it with me at the time scream at the top of her lungs at points through out the movie!

Pspfanatic on Apr 4, 2011

I feel sorry for anyone who has to come home to an empty house after seeing this movie. I could not sleep for about 3 nights afterward, and when I'm alone, I start thinking what if the radio starts to talk or the tv or the phone... that walkie talkie scene was really creepy. i'm not sure if there are other movies like this, but i liked how they gave weight to the ghosts/demons. these aren't silent stalkers - they stomp and become very real. the little boy dancing just sent shivers down my spine.

Cl on Apr 4, 2011

i watched it alone in a fairly large empty house spooky!!

easye on May 2, 2011

Saw it last night and I was very impressed. It's been a long time since I've seen a scary movie that's made me lose sleep. Well done James Wan. SPOILER ALERT! Was anyone else freaked when the creature is right behind Josh (the dad). I still can't get that image outta my head! Lol

GrandDoc23 on Apr 4, 2011

Loved it. It was awesome to see Darth maul get another gig.

lord sidious on Apr 4, 2011

Loved it! Here is the review on my blog! http://keithsreviews.blogspot.com/2011/04/insidious.html

Kkerlavage on Apr 5, 2011

Loved it...one of the scariest movies in a long time. And loved the change of plot/twist 3/4 of way through. BTW why dont you guys have any info about Prowl? or Husk?

Kiddo on Apr 18, 2011

It wasn't scary. You guys are lame. Not to mention that 'plot twist' in the end wasn't at all scary or interesting. I could see that a mile away. I thought I heard good things about this but I realized that I didn't. Now I understand why. The highlight of the movie was seeing Darth Maul.

InkyPinkyBlinkyandClyde on May 5, 2011

I genuinely found this film hilarious. Wasn't sure I was watching the same film as everyone else

Soyaz12 on May 17, 2011

Loved the understated humor. The ghostbuster Angus Sampson (with the beard) was brilliant. Could take our eyes offa him.

Summer on May 18, 2011

I didn't think it was scary at all. I am a self proclaimed horror junkie and had really high hopes for this one. I enjoyed it, just wasn't scared. It was being hyped as scarier than Paranormal Activity....which I found scary as hell. In PA you never saw the entity and everything happened when they were sleeping....that movie STILL keeps me up.

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