Insidious: The Red Door (2023) – Movie Review and Summary (with Spoilers)
“Insidious: The Red Door” is a reminder of why it has been so refreshing for new horror movies to not only come out but also get a marketing budget so that you know they exist.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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General Information
| Director(s) | Patrick Wilson |
| Screenplay By | Scott Teems |
| Based On | A Story And Characters Created By Leigh Whannell |
| Date Released (In Theaters) | July 6, 2023 |
| Genre(s) | Drama, Fantasy, Horror |
| Film Length | 1 Hour 47 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Rated PG-13 |
| Noted Characters and Cast | |
| Dalton | Ty Simpkins |
| Josh | Patrick Wilson |
| Renai | Rose Byrne |
| Chris | Sinclair Daniel |
What Is “Insidious: The Red Door” Rated And Why?
- Dialog: Some Cursing
- Violence: Some blood (usually people spitting it up or open wounds) and characters flinging or pushing one another
- Sexual Content: None
- Miscellaneous: Vomitting and drinking
Film Summary
This content contains pertinent spoilers. Also, images and text in this post may contain affiliate links. If a purchase is made from those sites, we may earn money or products from the company.
Dalton has reached the age of going to college, and with Josh have a distant relationship with him, Renai pushes the idea of Josh driving Dalton to school. He isn’t originally for this but decides to do so eventually. Dalton isn’t that moved, and it seems the two may not reconcile anytime soon. Enter Dalton going to a prestigious art class at his university where he is tasked to create from the soul, and he finds himself unlocking his and his father’s tucked-away memories.
This leads to astral projection, monsters, and Renai having to, despite the divorce, rejoin the traumatic experience, which is her now ex-husband, and eldest son, fighting off and trying to avoid being possessed by demons.
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
Dalton
Dalton is a college freshman who is an art major and is very much in his moody teen era, so even though Renai has done nothing wrong to him, she gets the same silent treatment as Josh.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Whale.”
Josh
Josh is Dalton’s dad and the father of Renai’s two other children, who has been dealing with memory issues lately and his son’s attitude due to Josh putting his individual life before his family.
Renai
Renai is Josh’s ex-wife who divorced him due to all that comes with being married to Josh.
- The actor is also known for their role in “I Am Mother,” their role in “Shark,” and their role in “Neighbors.”
Chris
Chris was Dalton’s original roommate, but with Josh uncomfortable with his son rooming with a woman, she made arrangements to move. But, despite how Josh and Dalton pressured her to change her living arrangements, she still grew quite close to Dalton.
Review
Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)
Highlights
You Don’t Need to Watch Past Entries Of “Insidious” To Follow
I’m aware of the “Insidious” franchise, mainly through trailers, but as for actually sitting down and watching a movie? Admittedly I haven’t done that, but I was curious, and I can firmly say you don’t need to read a recap of the series or watch the movies to follow what’s going on. Similar to franchises like “9-1-1,” you can just jump in.
Now, there are moments that may feel like winks and nods to people who have been there since the beginning, but you get the gist that this family is cursed or gifted. Also, while they think they handled what caused the issues, they didn’t, thus a new movie, the same old villains, and the expected result.
On The Fence
The Jump Scares Dry Up Halfway Through The Movie
The first half of the movie, when they are unaware of why things are happening, or even what is happening, is when the jump scares are there, and you get what you expect from a horror movie. Now, this isn’t to say the second half isn’t scary, but it is more scary imagery-wise than making you flinch, tighten your muscles, or anything like that.
Unfortunately, the second half becomes about Renai, Dalton, and Josh dealing with these demons trying to escape and their relationship. Which, I don’t know if it is from not seeing the first four movies or just the lackluster chemistry, but I believe you won’t care about this family healing. You’ll more so question if someone will die or not, or at least get injured, to help justify a 5th movie and show these monsters are somewhat formidable.
Chris
I enjoy Chris for who she is as a quirky character in Dalton’s life. However, after watching “The Blackening,” it is hard to believe that even if Chris has a crush on Dalton, she would voluntarily sign up to hang around a man dealing with demons who have no issue attacking her for being associated with him. She is a math major! I need her to use her analytic skills because sticking by Dalton’s side, considering she has known him for days or weeks? Oh, it doesn’t make any logical sense.
Recommendations
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FAQs
Is there a mid-credit or End Credit Scene?
Yes
Is the mid-credit or end-credit scene worth staying for?
No – all it does is make it clear there will be a sequel.
Are Steven “Specs” and Tucker In The Movie?
Yes
The frat scene was just a toxic femininity scene to continue their war in men. Chris attacks nicks groin solely for the fact that she didn’t like what he said. That’s horrible and offensive and should never happen in the first place. This scene should not have been in the movie