Taking place years before the events of chapters one and two, the third entry in the Insidious franchise follows many other trilogies by playing itself as a prequel and it’s central plot focuses around young teen Quinn (Stefanie Scott) who struggles between living with her father (Dermot Mulroney) and looking after her brother after the death of her mother and her destiny to become a hollywood star. When she’s caught in an accident, she awakes with a haunting presence that will stop at nothing until it gains her full attention.

 

Where Chapter 3 works well, is its continuation and storytelling of psychic medium Elise (portrayed brilliantly by the marvelous Lin Shaye) and the emotional power of bringing in her backstory only aids in the continuation of the franchise for what is inevitably next as she buddies up with bumbling ghostbusters Specs (Whannell) and Tucker (Angus Sampson). There are even moments when the family unit of Quinn and Sean feel strong as the Lambert family sit this one out.

 

Whether it is Whannell’s duality in writing and directing (even acting) that has diluted the formula somewhat, only time will tell, however the plot has so many holes it is difficult to capture everything that this film wants to be.

 

The issues lie within the ghoul of the hauntings. While at first sinister, the “breathing man” is never given a story or reason for being. So Quinn has her soul half inched by the demon and he persists in regaining the remainder (chillingly portrayed by a faceless/jointless being) for his collection. Apparently he has haunted the block and once lived there but no depth is ever given to him which is a shame being as there is much more emphasis pushed towards the spirited haunt of the previous two films giving a strong presence and rationale here.

 

Footprints conveniently appear when needed but are never there when the scares don’t need them and somehow, when Elise travels to the famed further, it lacks the power it held in the predecessors. Usually adorned by lost spirits, the guided souls appear for convenience to the plot rather than to provoke any true sense of danger.

 

Despite it’s flaws, there is no denying that Chapter 3 is one of the scariest films of the year and adds to one of the most impressive genre franchises of the past decade. Even Bishara's haunting music is as chilling as ever. It is however, a shame that what lets the film down is the writing, something that has been the franchise's strongest feature.

 

Overall, it’s easy to say that ‘Insidious Chapter 3’ brings some terrifying chills and while much of the central plot feels muddled and lost, it makes a worthy addition to follow Elise’s story and brings excitement for what will follow.