Truly mind blowing, entertaining, horrifying movie going experience!! A gem in the genre!!

Rating: Null/10 (25 September 2011)

I love finding a 10/10 film for me. Especially when you least expect it. I also love a good horror flick. Horror is probably my favourite genre. So I definitely go out of my way when I'm in the city to see the newest horror flicks and am I ever glad I caught Insidious because it turned out to be one of the best supernatural thrillers I have seen in a very very long time, possibly ever. Amazing, suspenseful, well acted, terrific twists and turns, emotional story, and just all out really creepy. Because I'm such a big horror fan it takes an awful lot to creep me out and Insidious got under my skin in all the right ways. One IMDb reviewer who also loved the film said he felt like a kid watching The Exorcist again and that is exactly dead on the money. This film could easily stand up next to The Exorcist and holds its own in any Ghost Story genre making Paranormal Activity look like child's play. Gripping and terrifying don't even seem to be strong enough words for the film. It mixes together the Haunted House factor, with demons, exorcisms, the imagery of Hell, and a twist to the story which is never easy to pull off that will really make you even more terrified.
As far as I'm concerned this is the performance of Patrick Wilson's career. He is terrific as the doting father who begins to unravel the mystery about his son and about his own past. He has an intensity and a down to earth quality that will make you relate to him. Rose Byrne plays Wilson's wife and the mother of the young man haunted by this being. Byrne gives an intense and worthy performance and her and Wilson have terrific chemistry and together they will make you riveted to the screen for the entire story. Youngster Ty Simpkins is anything but a newcomer. He has had multiple roles in his young life and this proves he has the acting chops to continue. His performance in this film is well beyond his years and he gives a stirring and disturbing performance on par with Linda Blaire's Exorcist performance. Lin Shaye might be the one small stone in the shoe of this movie. Her character is vital, and could be a truly terrific part and she does okay and her and Wilson have good chemistry opposite each other. But there are times when I feel like Shaye is giving a bit of a campy performance and doesn't live up the rest of the impressive cast. Still she gives a valid performance and an important character.
Saw patriarchs James Wan, Leigh Whannell write and direct the film and its no secret that these two guys work so well together and they know horror better than just about anyone else. I mean granted the Saw series is blood soaked and Insidious is more of a psychological disturbing film but both have great stories and has their fingerprints all over it. It's worth mentioning the great Easter Egg in the scene where Patrick Wilson is teaching his class and Leigh Whannell's name is on the blackboard below a picture of the Saw clown with an '8' underneath it. Either just a clever Easter Egg or a sign of another Saw instalment. However, Insidious makes the entire Saw series looking boring and contrived because this film is truly brilliant, fun, twisted, disturbing, and an absolute must see for horror/thriller fans!! Go see it NOW! 10/10