Insidious: The Last Key (2018)

Directed by: Adam Robitel | 103 minutes | horror | Actors: Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Kirk Acevedo, Caitlin Gerard, Spencer Locke, Josh Stewart, Tessa Ferrer, Aleque Reid, Ava Kolker, Pierce Pope, Bruce Davison, Javier Botet, Marcus Henderson, Amanda Jaros, Judith Drake, Hana Heyes, Thomas Robie

In the context of ‘forging the iron while it is hot’, ‘Insidious: The Last Key’ was released. This is the fourth installment in this horror franchise that debuted in 2010. After the success of the first part, new productions appeared every two to three years. With success, because the cinemas continued to fill up. There is a good chance that this fourth part will also get a successor. Is that right or not?

In ‘Insidious: The Last Key’ you will discover more about the family history of Elise (Lin Shaye). This psychic has had a “remarkable” childhood to say the least. Her abusive father (John Stewart) made her life miserable and that shaped her character. Years later, Elise is forced to revisit her childhood home when it turns out that the current resident is infested with an evil entity. Along with her sidekicks Specs (Leigh Whannell) and Tucker (Angus Sampson), she battles this demon and relives her past.

To answer the question posed in the first paragraph right away: yes, a sequel to this film is certainly justified. ‘Insdidious: The Last Key’ certainly warrants a sequel if that sequel is on the same level as this fourth installment. Director Adam Robitel knows exactly what makes this series so good: Lin Shaye! This aging actress (she is in her seventies) creates a very empathetic character that you will love. Elise is not your typical heroine, but a frightened somewhat frail woman who has been blessed with a psychic gift she didn’t ask for. Yet she wants to do what is right and puts her fear(s) aside. You are looking at a flesh and blood human being and not at a one-dimensional hero.

In addition to Shaye, the heavily underrated John Stewart also stands out. He portrays Elise’s brutal dad as a human being as tragic as he is monstrous. Despite his atrocities, he remains human. Very handsome and a lesser actor would have gotten no further than a caricature. Whannell and Sampson have to provide the comic relief, but they don’t come out well. The two therefore regularly rub against the irritation limit. Apart from a funny pun, there is little to (smile) laugh about this clownish duo. Fortunately, there is a bit more to be horrified. The build-up of tension is classical, which means that exciting music is played when – very slowly, of course – a door handle is grabbed or a strange shadow is visible. The reason these clichés work is because you empathize with Elise. The acting takes this film to a high level.

‘Insdidious: The Last Key’ is a cool film that will certainly captivate fans of the series. Don’t expect shocking things, but a great haunted house film in which you learn more about perhaps the oldest heroine from a horror film ever.