What started as the most terrifying film of this generation has slowly descended into something of a monster of its own making. THE LAST KEY goes full circle, from prequel to the first two films as well as a sequel to the third instalment and closing on events that leave it open for a sequel to all four previous instalments. Now there’s no issue with the chronology but it does highlight how great the original films were, especially when the scariest moment harks back at the original film.

 

Chapter four in the INSIDIOUS series caries on from where CHAPTER 3 left off and follows Elise (Lyn Shaye) as she comes to terms with her paranormal abilities. After the vents of the third film, she and her companions, Specs (Leigh Whannel) and Tucker (Angus Sampson), set out to do good for those haunted by demons and a new case takes her to her childhood home that Elise had fought her own demons in.

 

At its core, THE LAST KEY is a character piece for Elise and elements of the story are engaging to watch, especially the destructive relationship with her father (Josh Stewart) which is a particular strong point which makes the supernatural ghost hunting moments feel ludicrously fitting to how they relate to Elise’s story.

 

For the majority of the film, it’s a question where the link is apart from the central cast however even when we finally visit the Further, it becomes apparent that the story is neither as tightly wound or interesting as that of its predecessors. It would be fair to say that Whannell’s story is a blessing and a curse. While he holds credit for all four films, it feels as though his attention has gone to other stories that have inherited the INSIDIOUS name rather than a constructed continuation of what has come before.

 

Where INSIDIOUS 2 put story first and scares second, it still delivered on a chilling and engrossing story, CHAPTER 3 gave us more delicious scares but its story was flawed and felt the focus had been lost on telling the story of Elise as it descended into what can only be described as a hellish mess that had redeeming qualities from a score and great central performance. This time round, the series reverts back to a focal story but one that delves between real events and those from the mysterious otherworld and the two don’t always gel forcing the question whether THE LAST KEY actually started out as an INSIDIOUS story at all.

 

The Key keeper is less humanlike and frankly quite silly, something that should be terrifying but becomes laughable. Where the lipstick faced demon was the sheer embodiment of fear, this time round the demon like creature is no more than a spirit who locks the voices of its victims and locks up their souls. No, this is not an episode of SCOOBY DOO!

 

As an avid fan of the series, the score, the cast, the visual aesthetic, it’s disappointing to see the fourth entry so far away from what mad e the original film so terrifying. While there is evolution in Elise’s story, the series can redeem itself in any future instalments but like all good franchises, this one looks set to fizzle out into forgettable territory.