Found footage horror is a dime a dozen: aside from the “Paranormal Activity” series which just keeps spitting out cheapie sequels and raking in zillions, films in the genre make a quick buck in theaters and then disappear. This sub-genre has hurt the horror field in recent years, but a slightly new variant seems to be emerging: the mid-prestige level supernatural film that possesses a budget, decent production values, respectable filmmakers and stars. The “Insidious” series definitely seems to be part of this new tier.
Perhaps this is why Blumhouse, the growing indie shingle that has dominated the field of low-budget (but not no-budget) filmmaking is trying to connect the “Insidious” series to the also successful “Sinister” franchise, which was a big cost effective hit in 2012 ($70 million worldwide off a $3 million budget). While original director James Wan has moved on to the “Fast & Furious” series, “Insidious” is now in the hands of Leigh Whannell, who wrote the first two films and Wan pictures like "Saw" and "Dead Silence," and seems to have received a nicer production polish in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down. Here’s the official synopsis —and yes, this one is a prequel:
The newest chapter in the terrifying horror series is written and directed by franchise co-creator Leigh Whannell. This chilling prequel, set before the haunting of the Lambert family, reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl (Stefanie Scott) who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.
Starring Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Angus Sampson, Whannell and Lin Shaye, “Insidious Chapter 3” rolls into theaters on June 5th. Watch the international trailer below and check out some new posters as well.
