BLOOD WORK: SILVER TONGUED SILVER SCREEN: INSIDIOUS ~ THE LAST KEY (2018)

We begin the 2018 cinema year with something new and something horrific! INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY is the fourth film in the Insidious series and is the sequel to the prequel to the original. Got that? Good. For those of you who know me, you know I'm a fan of these films. I feel the first two Insidious films are very good and among some of the best PG-13 horror films out there. INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 3 came out back in the summer of 2015 and was the first in the series to not be directed by James Wan (he was working on FURIOUS 7 at the time). The potency of Chapter 3 dropped a bit compared to the first two but overall I enjoyed that film as well.

This fourth Insidious film isn't directed by James Wan either (again, he's busy with DC's Aquaman), instead directed by Adam Robitel (who directed THE TAKING OF DEBORAH LOGAN which I also enjoyed). Leigh Whannell, the man who has written all the previous Insidious films as well as the first three SAW films, returns once more to write this film and reprise his role in the film as Specs. Lin Shaye and Angus Sampson reprise their roles as Elise and Tucker as well. Lastly the film composer of all the previous Insidious films, Joseph Bishara, scores this film too. Bishara's music, in my opinion, has been one of the key components making this series as effective as it is and it is wonderful to have him return.

All these returning elements from the previous films point to this film being another success for the series.

But is it? Is it good?

Yes. I really enjoyed Insidious: The Last Key.

THE PLOT

Over 50 years ago Elise Rainier saw her first spirit in her family home near the Five Keys prison. It was there that Elise would see the ghosts of executed prisoners wander through her house. And it was there that Elise first saw a demon. 2010, now, Elise receives a phone call from a man needing help, claiming to be plagued by ghosts. Elise agrees to help until she hears the man's address; the very house she grew up in. Elise's past comes back to haunt her, literally, as she comes face to face with the demon she saw all those years ago, a demon that she inadvertently unleashed upon an unsuspecting world.

WHAT I LIKED

Lin Shaye. For those of you unfamiliar with the name, Lin Shaye is the younger sister of NEW LINE CINEMA founder and CEO, Robert Shaye. Proving it's not "what you know" but "who you know," Lin Shaye has appeared in dozens of films for New Line Cinema from cameos to lead roles. She's been in the original A Nightmare On Elm Street, Dumb & Dumber, Kingpin, Detroit Rock City, and many many more. The nepotism not withstanding, Lin Shaye is actually a great actress. The Insidious films have really showcased her wonderful acting talent. These movies wouldn't work without Lin Shaye and she delivers here once again.

Keyface. It's a funny name for a terrifying demon. Actor Javier Botet is swiftly becoming the go to actor for tall skinny monsters nowadays. He's portrayed Mama in the film "Mama," the Crooked Man in The Conjuring 2, the scary Hobo in 2017's "IT," and will be portraying the Slenderman later in 2018. The man is brilliant at bringing these terrifying characters to life. Keyface is the latest credit to Javier Botet and the creature design is horrifying. One of the staples of the Insidious franchise are the hosts of frightening figures populating each film. Keyface is among the scariest in my opinion. And the concept of the character has far reaching consequences for the series.

Leigh Whannell's script is one of the highlights of the film too, in particular how it's connected to the other films. It's an old tactic of Whannell's going back to how he wove together the original three SAW films. While this movie is a sequel to a prequel (so it's another prequel to the original) is reveals certain plot points that set the whole story in motion. It also explores the history of one of the most intriguing character of the series: Elise Rainier. Discovering her past and how she became what she is today was very cool. It also introduced a new character which could possibly take over Elise's role in future films of the franchise, Elise's niece, Imogen Rainier, who also happens to share Elise's powers. The setup was done well enough that I'd be okay if Imogen took over Elise in a future film.

A nice mix of "Found Footage" and traditional cinematography. Director Adam Robitel's previous directorial credit was with the found footage horror film, The Taking of Deborah Logan. The film has its effective moments and the director takes those strengths and mixes them in with the usual Insidious cinematography. I was worried at first that there might be too much found footage scenes in this film but that wasn't the case. Robitel uses the found footage sparingly but to great effect.

NITPICKS

Forced Humor. Humor in horror films isn't something new. And while humor has been employed in horror films for almost a century it remains one of the trickiest elements to pull off effectively. Insidious: The Last Key has perhaps the most humor of the four films. Some of it is good. Some of it is a little groan worthy. These films didn't need much humor in the previous installments but someone felt it needed it here and I don't really feel it did. Again, there are moments when it works well and moments when it felt like a step too far, at least for me. But remember, I'm the guy who prefers more serious narratives as opposed to comedies. It's my personal feeling that humor is a cancer on the Marvel films. I'm in the minority on this opinion so take my criticisms about humor with a big grain of salt.

The relationship between Elise and her brother, played by Bruce Davison, comes across a little cliche at moments. Or at least it did to me. I thought their scene together in the diner felt rather "by the numbers." Which is a shame because both actors are good. Conversely the setup and chemistry between Elise's nieces was done very well (there are two of them but only one has powers like Elise). It's too bad Lin Shaye and Bruce Davison's scene didn't work like the others.

THE VERDICT

Insidious: The Last Key keeps the terror flowing in this latest chapter in the saga. Lin Shaye's Elise once again takes the lead and the actress delivers another great performance. The story is twisting and turning and fits with the other films like a missing puzzle piece. A new and terrifying monster is introduced as well as an incorporation of found footage style filmmaking rendering this film unique among its siblings. A great number of cast and crew from the previous films return for this one making it another strong entry in the series.

Overall Ranking: 6 out of 10

Nude-O-Meter: 0 out of 10