Well written and played your own fears against you!

Rating: 9/10 (30 September 2012)

I have just finished forcing myself to watch this film for the second time.....and I say forced because I still haven't gotten over seeing it in the theatre last year! This film stays with you long after you get home, then as you timidly start to turn off the lights to go to bed....you realise how much it has affected you! Let me start this review by saying that Insidious is a horror film that has taken on board all the scare tactics that every brilliant thriller/ horror has accomplished.....then meticulously uses these tactic to take you on roller-coaster of emotions from slight paranoia to downright "I can't breath I'm so scared" fear.
Immediately, as the opening credits begin stirring your inner paranoid thoughts,Insidious is blasted on the screen with threatening strings playing in the background with an old school Thriller/Psycho motif, and you already have hairs on your arms prickling with anticipation. You soon find your ears tingling at the slightest sound, and your eyes searching for creatures in the shadows and the film continues in this fashion for the next 103 mins leaving you sinking back in your chair dreading the next scene because your every sense is terrified.
I don't want to ruin the story for you with specifics, but, like any horror, you must let the film take you on the ride. The 'bad guy' is scary as hell, and while there are SAW-esque elements to the film, this film stands alone as it's own entity. I commend these guys for bringing out another psychologically played movie where your mind leads you into deeper fear and the film makers take full advantage of this.
Please, if you are a scare seeker, you must see this film. These guys know what they are doing......and maybe wear a nappy cause you are at risk of wetting your pants :)
The story could have sunk had it not been the brilliant directing and actors involved. The beautiful Rose Byrne leads a fantastic cast that you care for, and sometimes have a laugh at, they actually respond in a realistic way which makes the film more believable.
The only thing that I took 1 point off for was how the 'bad guy' was depicted in the end 10 mins where we really see it for what it is. This is where the SAW-esque elements are really seen, and it takes away from the horrifying way we are introduced to it, it's almost like there is no real big show down....However the film has scares coming at you until the bitter end. Enjoy...but leave some lights on in the house...trust me