I had trouble sleeping when I first saw this movie...

Rating: 7/10 (4 October 2016)

Horror movies have taken a whole new turn into being terrifying. This is not your average horror movie where there is a killer and a group of teens who get picked off one by one. This movie brings something forward that other paranormal movies have never done before. The young child in this movie does not get possessed by an evil spirit like in "The Exorcist", and this is not just another "Paranormal Activity." This movie contains something many parents can be afraid of when their children go to sleep, and make them worry if they are ever going to wake up. "Insidious" tells of a young boy in which there are several different things that bring it together such as the characters in the movie, and the biggest component... the sound and setting. "Insidious" is the peculiar tale of a child who has special dreams and can leave his physical body, however, one day he just never wakes up. For starters yes, this movie may seem corny, or lame to some viewers, but this movie is a genuinely ghastly experience. This movie takes a parents love and protection of their children to the real test. It makes them think of what can really happen when they are helpless and cannot do anything for their child, or newborn. There are two key characters in the movie; Elise the psychic, and Josh, Daltons father. Elise has an amazing performance and the way she brings forth her shaky and bloodcurdling words just makes the viewer realize how serious the situation really is. Then Josh really shows how sometimes parents like to be in denial when they are scared. He denies all of the bad things happening around the house, until they affect him, but also refuses to listen to his wife Renai. He does not take the time to process the severity of the situation and do what is best for his family. The son Dalton could have been sold better. Yes the child seems scared but on the other hand the acting seems fake and uninteresting. Renai is virtually useless because nobody listens. So she just freaks out urges the necessity of help with her voice going virtually unheard. If there was anything that really made the movie, it would definitely have to be the setting, and sound. The house in the movie is constantly quiet unless there is talking; there is no wind, nor creaks or squeaks. Then out of no where there is a flurry of violins or pianos when the scene is getting intense... There is whispering on the baby monitor when there should be nobody in the room. I do not think I can stress enough that one of the most creepy and uneasy parts of the movie is how they can take such a harmless song and turn it so evil and scary. "Tip Toe" sounds like a children's song about carelessly frolicking through flowers and playing by an open window. However, when combined with the eerie and empty setting of someone home alone in a house this song creates true anxiety. Especially when it starts playing on an old gramophone on its own.. Then towards the end of the movie this song starts playing when the evil entity is keeping the young child hostage in the dark place in Dalton's dreams, or "The Further." The unknown plays one of the most important roles in the movie. Along with the sinister atmosphere, when the psychic Elise has to contact Dalton she puts on an old gas mask with a hose running from the mouth to her analysts ears. You never know what is being said until you see what he writes... or draws. In one scene they are in Daltons room and Elise sees a black figure, and it's the same one Johns mother saw in a dream who said it wants Dalton. Then in another scene Daltons brother says he is afraid to sleep at night because Dalton, who might I remind you is in a deep coma, gets up and walks around during his slumber. Throughout the movie it gradually gets less and less interesting disappointingly. In all honesty the plot could have been better and as I said before even the cast could have been more carefully chosen. There was really only one true amazement in the movie, and that was the ambiance and atmosphere from all the sounds and the way the movie makes you feel. I feel as though there could be something here in the future of horror films if they continue with this style. So, why not travel with me into the further?