Insidious: Chapter 2
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJames Wan
Screenplay byLeigh Whannell
Story by
  • James Wan
  • Leigh Whannell
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJohn R. Leonetti
Edited byKirk Morri
Music byJoseph Bishara
Production
companies
Distributed byFilmDistrict[1]
Release date
  • September 13, 2013 (2013-09-13)[3]
Running time
106 minutes[4]
CountryUnited States[1]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million[5]
Box office$161.9 million[5]

Insidious: Chapter 2 is a 2013 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wan. The film is a sequel to the 2010 film Insidious, and the second installment in the Insidious franchise, and the fourth in terms of the series's in-story chronology. The film stars Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, reprising their roles as Josh and Renai Lambert, a husband and wife who seek to uncover the secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world. The film was released September 13, 2013.

Two prequels, Chapter 3 and The Last Key were released on June 5, 2015, and January 5, 2018, respectively, with a direct sequel to Chapter 2, The Red Door, released on July 7, 2023.

Plot

In 1986, Lorraine Lambert summons demonologist Elise Rainier to help her son Josh, who is being haunted by the spirit of an old woman in a black bridal gown. While searching for paranormal phenomena in their home, Elise's arm is slashed by an unseen but physical force. She insists that they must suppress Josh's astral projection abilities for his own safety and plant altered memories in his brain.

24 years later, Josh's wife, Renai Lambert, is being questioned by a detective about the death of Elise. She's warned that if Josh's fingerprints are found at the crime scene, he'll be charged with Elise's murder. Josh, Renai, and their children – Dalton, Foster, and Cali – temporarily relocate to Lorraine's house, where they begin to encounter strange paranormal events again. Dalton tells his mother that he has been having bad dreams about a woman in a white dress, as well as hearing Josh talk to an unseen figure. Renai receives a call from the police stating that the fingerprints did not match Josh's. A ghostly woman in a white dress then attacks Renai and Josh hears a voice urging him to kill his family.

Specs and Tucker, Elise's former associates, show Lorraine a videotape of the 1986 investigation, enhanced to reveal an adult Josh standing behind the young Josh. They contact Elise's former colleague, Carl, who attempts to contact Elise's spirit. They are told to find answers at an abandoned hospital, where Lorraine used to work as a doctor. Lorraine recounts the story twenty-five years ago when a patient named Parker Crane, who was admitted for trying to castrate himself, had assaulted a then-young Josh. She saw Parker some days later and when she asked a nurse why he was out of bed, the nurse was confused, then stunned. She then told Lorraine that he had jumped to his death the day before. The group goes to the Crane family home where Lorraine is attacked by the spirit of Parker's mother, Michelle, who calls herself "Mother Mortis". She is the spirit Carl had summoned and mistakenly believed to be Elise. The group finds a secret room, containing numerous corpses, a black wedding gown, and newspaper clippings. Carl touches the gown and discovers Parker had been a serial killer known as "The Bride in Black,” who kidnapped and murdered 15 women while dressed as a woman. Parker had been forced to kill his victims at the behest of his mother's spirit.

Josh's body begins to slowly deteriorate, the longer Parker’s dead soul occupies it, and Renai realizes Josh is possessed. Lorraine insists that they all get away from Josh. Carl, Specs, and Tucker arrive to drug him but he gains the upper hand and incapacitates them, instead. Carl awakens in the spirit realm of The Further, where he meets the spirits of the real Josh and Elise. The time moves non-chronologically there, and Josh is able to communicate with himself as a child to locate Parker's house in The Further.

Meanwhile in the physical world, the possessed Josh ambushes Lorraine and Renai. After locking Lorraine in a closet, Josh pursues Renai, and attempts to strangle her. He is then hit over the head by Dalton, who has just returned home with Foster. Renai escapes to the basement with the children and Dalton voluntarily enters The Further to help his father. There, Josh and the others find Parker's house where they witness Michelle abusing him and forcing him to act like a girl. Elise saves Josh and appears to destroy Michelle's spirit, which stops the possessed Josh from murdering his family in the real world. Carl and Josh escape and Dalton leads them back to the living world, allowing Josh to finally regain control of his body. The Lambert family is finally reunited, with Josh and Dalton once again having their memories suppressed by Carl.

Some time later, Specs and Tucker arrive at the house of a family whose daughter, Allison, is in an inexplicable coma. No one but Allison's younger sister can see Elise's spirit, who is first seen standing behind Specs and Tucker, due to the potential ability of astral projection. Elise’s spirit then passes between them and enters Allison's room. There, a terrified-looking Elise is confronted by an unseen figure, behind Allison, as a creaking sound is heard.

Cast

Production

Development

It's a direct continuation from the end of the first film, so it's the same characters, same actors coming back. But where the first movie plays like a classic haunted house film, the second one plays more like a domestic thriller with supernatural elements to it.

—Wan, on the shift in genre[6]

After the financial success of Insidious In April 2011, discussions for a sequel soon followed. With producer Jason Blum insisting on the return of director James Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell, a treatment script did not arrive until nearly a year later. "As long as there was a chance that James and Leigh were gonna write the second movie and direct the second movie, I didn't want to do it with someone else," said Blum. "They kept saying they might do it, they might not do it, which was why there's quite a bit of time between the two movies."[7] On February 2, 2012, it was announced that director James Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell were in talks to return for the sequel.[8]

While promoting The Conjuring (2013) at New York Comic Con in October 2012, Wan described how he and Whannell were working closely on developing the story and the script for the follow-up to Insidious, explaining to ShockTilYouDrop.com, "I think the sequel to Insidious is kind of my reaction to Saw where for my own reason I wasn't as involved in the sequels, and so I felt with Insidious, think it would be good to shepherd it and keep it more in track to the version I had when I made the first film so that it doesn't detour too far."[9]

The film was titled Insidious: Chapter 2 because it is a direct continuation of the first installment.[10] However, the tone of the film was to be more grounded than in the first film, with Wan citing his work on The Conjuring as an influence to how he and Whannell approached Insidious: Chapter 2.[6] "I pulled things from Insidious that I applied to The Conjuring, and what I learned from The Conjuring I applied to Insidious 2," said Wan. "So for me, I feel like it's a cumulative filmmaking experience that I've gathered over the years."[11]

Casting

On November 19, 2012, it was officially announced that Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, and Ty Simpkins would reprise their roles from the first film.[12] The following month, it was announced that Barbara Hershey would also be returning.[13] In February 2013, Jocelin Donahue and Lindsay Seim rounded out the cast as younger versions of Hershey and Shaye's characters, respectively.[14][15] It was also confirmed that the film's screenwriter Leigh Whannell and actor Angus Sampson would reprise their roles as Specs and Tucker, respectively. When asked about the return of the two characters, Whannell explained, "There was this hatred that spewed out from fans saying 'I hated those guys! They sucked! They ruined the movie!' so there will probably be a lot of people out there who will be disappointed to hear that the Specs and Tucker characters will be coming back."[16]

Filming

Principal photography for Insidious: Chapter 2 began on January 15, 2013, in Los Angeles.[12] Having a slightly higher production budget than its predecessor, the film was captured over the course of 25 shooting days.[17] A bulk of the film was shot at a house in Highland Park, Los Angeles,[10][18] which served as the location of Lorraine Lambert's house. Another location used for filming was the former Linda Vista Community Hospital, which was redressed as a hospital setting and used for the construction of interior sets (including recreations of sets from the first film).[19][20] "I've never shot in Linda Vista," said Wan about the location. "It's kind of funny because Leigh and I have always heard so much about it. For research on the first one [Leigh] came here to do a bit of ghost-hunting. And I think a lot of that inspired us when we needed a hospital set."[20]

Music

The musical score to Insidious: Chapter 2 is composed by Joseph Bishara,[21] who previously collaborated with director James Wan on the first installment as well as The Conjuring. "Finding the right range and tone for the feeling is an important part," described Bishara on generating tension through sound. "James is very particular with sting placement along with Kirk, our editor on both Insidious films and Conjuring. Silence can create a listening space, where rather than give you something else to listen to it enables you to hear things."[22]

A soundtrack album for the film was released digitally on September 15 and in physical forms on October 8, 2013, by Void Recordings.[23] Additional songs featured in the film include:[24]

Distribution

Marketing

In April 2013, the first promotional poster for the film went on display at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.[25] The first theatrical trailer for the film was screened to a live audience on location at the Linda Vista Community Hospital on June 4, 2013, with an online release the following day.[26] On August 10, 2013, it was announced at the convention Scare L.A by producer Jason Blum and Universal's creative director John Murdy, that a maze attraction entitled "Insidious: Into the Further" will be featured at the 2013 Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood.[27]

Theatrical release

While originally intended to be released on August 30, 2013,[12] Insidious: Chapter 2 was rescheduled for a September 20 release date.[28] The film's release date was later moved again to September 13, 2013.[3]

On the night prior to its theatrical wide release, the film was shown in select theatres as part of a double feature with the first installment.[29] A red carpet premiere for the film was held in Los Angeles on September 10, 2013.

Release

Box office

In the United States and Canada, the film was projected to gross $32–35 million in its opening weekend.[30][31] It earned $1.5 million from its Thursday night showings,[32] and $20 million Friday, making it the biggest opening day in September box office history.[33] It went on to debut number one, taking in $41 million at the box office.[34] The film grossed a worldwide total of $161.9 million against a budget of $5 million.[5]

Critical response

Review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes reports an approval rating of 38% based on 130 reviews, with an average rating of 4.8/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Insidious: Chapter 2 is decidedly short on the tension and surprises that made its predecessor so chilling."[35] Metacritic, another review aggregator, assigned the film a weighted average score of 40 out of 100 based on 30 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[36] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[34]

Robbie Collin of The Telegraph gave the film a positive review, stating that "the scares are mostly very scary indeed, and that means the film does its job."[37] Scott Foundas of Variety praised the "artfully eerie" cinematography work of John R. Leonetti and the "pervasively unsettling atmosphere" constructed by sound designer and editor Joe Dzuban. Foundas further wrote that "where so many sequels seem like mere remakes of their predecessors, with bigger budgets and less imagination, Insidious: Chapter 2 feels like a genuine continuation of characters we enjoyed getting to know the first time around, and wouldn't at all mind returning to again."[38] Conversely, Robert Abele of the Los Angeles Times commented, "After the pleasurable free fall into old-fashioned nightmare artistry that was last summer's The Conjuring, this busy-yet-dull sequel feels like Wan robotically flexing his manipulation of fright-film signposts, an exercise more silly than sinister."[39] Justin Lowe of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Setting aside the movie's tediously lame dialogue, self-conscious performances and frequently predictable scares, the narrative's compulsively shifting chronology intermittently manages to engage, although it does little to obscure the distracting shortcomings of both plot and character development."[40]

Home media

The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD on December 10, 2013.[41]

Future films

Prequels

On September 16, 2013, a third film in the series was announced, with Leigh Whannell signed on to return as writer while Jason Blum and Oren Peli were also set to produce.[42] When asked about returning for another sequel, actor Patrick Wilson went on to say that he "[doesn't] know where else it could go", and that "[Josh Lambert has] been through the wringer, and I think the movie sets it up well at the end... And that's great, that's how it should end."[43] On March 11, 2014, it was reported that the third film wouldn't focus on the Lambert family, but would focus on a new family and story, that it wouldn't connect to the last teaser scene in the second film, and that Whannell and Sampson wouldn't return as ghost hunters Specs and Tucker. On May 7, 2014, Wan tweeted that Whannell would be directing the third film, which would mark his directorial debut.[44] Stefanie Scott and Dermot Mulroney starred in the film.[45][46] Focus Features and Stage 6 Films released Insidious: Chapter 3 on June 5, 2015.

A fourth film, Insidious: The Last Key, was announced in May 2016. Whannell returned to write, with Blum, Peli, and Wan producing, as well as Shaye reprising her role as Elise Rainier and Adam Robitel directing.[47] The film was released on January 5, 2018.[48]

Sequel

In October 2020, it was announced that a direct sequel to Chapter 2 was in development. Patrick Wilson was announced as director, in addition to reprising his starring role, while Scott Teems serves as screenwriter, based on an original story by Whannell. The premise centers around a now-grown Dalton Lambert as he goes off to college, with Ty Simpkins reprising the role. Blum, Wan, Whannell, and Pelli again serve as producers. Insidious: The Red Door was produced by Blumhouse Productions and distributed by Sony Pictures, and was released on July 7, 2023.[49][50]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Insidious: Chapter 2". American Film Institute. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Insidious Chapter 2 (2013) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Schaefer, Sandy (May 2013). "New Release Dates for 'Kung Fu Panda 3′, 'Insidious 2′, 'I, Frankenstein' and 'Pompeii'". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  4. ↑ "INSIDIOUS - CHAPTER 2 (15)". E1 Films. British Board of Film Classification. August 19, 2013. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 "Insidious Chapter 2 (2013)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Day, Patrick Kevin (May 29, 2013). "'Insidious: Chapter 2′ director James Wan on weird, surreal horror". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 14, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  7. ↑ Nemiroff, Perri (September 10, 2013). "'Insidious Chapter 2' Producer Talks Micro-Budget Horror & 'Amityville: Lost Tapes'". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  8. ↑ Kit, Borys (February 2, 2012). "Horror Hit 'Insidious' to Get Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  9. ↑ Douglas, Edward (October 14, 2012). "NYCC Exclusive: James Wan & Patrick Wilson on Insidious 2". CraveOnline. ShockTilYouDrop.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2012. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  10. 1 2 Foutch, Haleigh (May 29, 2013). "25 Things to Know about INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2 from Our Set Visit". Collider.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  11. ↑ Foutch, Haleigh (September 11, 2013). "James Wan Talks INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2, Why He Wanted to Make a Sequel, Taking a Break from Horror, FAST & FURIOUS 7, & the Genre He Wants to Try Next". Collider.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  12. 1 2 3 Kit, Borys (November 19, 2012). "Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne Coming Back for 'Insidious' Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  13. ↑ Patten, Dominic (December 11, 2012). "Barbara Hershey Back For 'Insidious Chapter 2′". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  14. ↑ Kroll, Justin (February 4, 2013). "Donahue to 'Insidious' role". Variety. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  15. ↑ Kroll, Justin (February 28, 2013). "Lindsay Seim Enters 'Insidious 2′ Role". Variety. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Exclusive: Writer/Actor Leigh Whannell Confirms Specs and Tucker Characters to Return for Insidious 2". Dead Central. February 17, 2012. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Insidious Chapter 2 - Q&A with Jason Blum, Leigh Whannell, Patrick Wilson, Lin Shaye, Barbara Hershey and James Wan". Dead Central. May 30, 2013. Archived from the original on June 19, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Insidious: Chapter 2 Filming in Highland Park". The Gringos of Highland Park. February 15, 2013. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  19. ↑ "The Further Hauntings". Film Journal International. Prometheus Global Media. 116 (9): 12. September 2013.
  20. 1 2 Dickson, Evan (May 29, 2013). "[Special Report] Getting Answers And Escaping Ghosts On The Set Of 'Insidious Chapter 2′!!". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  21. ↑ Barkan, Jonathan (November 19, 2012). "James Wan Confirms Joseph Bishara Back As Composer For 'Insidious Chapter 2'". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  22. ↑ Schweiger, Daniel (September 10, 2013). "Interview with Joseph Bishara". Film Music Magazine. Archived from the original on July 23, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  23. ↑ "'Insidious: Chapter 2′ Soundtrack Details". Film Music Reporter. September 4, 2013. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013) – Song Credits". Soundtrack.net. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  25. ↑ Weintraub, Steve (April 14, 2013). "First Posters for Spike Lee's OLDBOY and James Wan's INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2". Collider.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  26. ↑ Edwards, Justin (June 5, 2013). "The Further Awaits In Debut INSIDIOUS CHAPTER 2 Trailer!". Icons of Fright. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  27. ↑ Brigante, Ricky (August 10, 2013). "Insidious: Into the Further haunted house announced for Halloween Horror Nights 2013 at Universal Studios Hollywood". Inside the Magic. Archived from the original on August 13, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Things Get 'Insidious' This September!". Bloody Disgusting. March 1, 2013. Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  29. ↑ Trumbore, Dave (August 28, 2013). "INSIDIOUS and INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2 Double Feature Screening on Thursday, September 12th". Collider.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  30. ↑ Subers, Ray (September 12, 2013). "Forecast: 'Insidious 2' Poised to Possess Audiences on Friday The 13th". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  31. ↑ Kaufman, Amy (September 12, 2013). "'Insidious: Chapter 2' to spook 'The Family' at box office". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  32. ↑ Lang, Brent (September 13, 2013). "'Insidious: Chapter 2′ Racks Up $1.5M at Thursday Box Office". The Wrap. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  33. ↑ Mendelson, Scott (September 14, 2013). "Friday Box Office: 'Insidious Chapter 2' Scares Up $20m on Friday the 13th". Forbes. Archived from the original on September 15, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  34. 1 2 McClintock, Pamela (September 15, 2013). "Box Office: 'Insidious 2' Nabs $41 Million, No. 2 September Debut of All Time". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
  35. ↑ "Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Insidious: Chapter 2". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  37. ↑ Collin, Robbie (September 12, 2013). "Insidious: Chapter 2, review". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  38. ↑ Scott Foundas (September 12, 2013). "'Insidious: Chapter 2′ Review: James Wan's Pleasurable Sequel". Variety. Archived from the original on December 5, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  39. ↑ Abele, Robert (September 12, 2013). "Review: 'Insidious: Chapter 2' adds nothing to the story". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  40. ↑ Lowe, Justin (September 12, 2013). "Insidious: Chapter 2: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  41. ↑ "Insidious: Chapter 2 Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  42. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (September 16, 2013). "INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER THREE Moving Forward; Leigh Whannell Returning to Write the Script". Collider.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  43. ↑ Smith, Nigel M. (September 12, 2013). "Patrick Wilson On Why There Won't Be an 'Insidious 3' and His Love for 'Conjuring' Director James Wan". Indiewire. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  44. ↑ "James Wan on Twitter: "I'm truly honored & excited to b passing the torch onto my great bud @LWhannell, who'll make his directorial debut w #INSIDIOUS 3 @blumhouse"". Twitter.com. May 7, 2014. Archived from the original on May 8, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Horror Sequel 'Insidious: Chapter 3′ Scares Up 'Jem,' 'A.N.T. Farm' Star Stefanie Scott". Deadline Hollywood. June 11, 2014. Archived from the original on June 18, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
  46. ↑ Kit, Borys (June 25, 2014). "Dermot Mulroney to Star in 'Insidious: Chapter 3'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2014.
  47. ↑ "'Insidious 4' Announces Writer, Director, and Release Date". May 16, 2016. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  48. ↑ "'Insidious: Chapter 4' Moves to January 2018". April 20, 2017. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  49. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (October 29, 2020). "Patrick Wilson to Direct 'Insidious 5'". Variety. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
  50. ↑ Laman, Douglas (October 29, 2020). "Insidious 5 Announced by Blumhouse, Patrick Wilson to Direct". Comic Book Resource. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
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