Insidious

Name: Insidious
Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Comedy
Released: April 1, 2011
Duration: 102 min
Rating: 52
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins

2011

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 571 Ratings

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7.3

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7.3	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 571 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

FilmDistrict | Release Date: April 1, 2011 | PG-13

Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins

Summary: "Insidious" is about a young family that makes the terrifying discovery that the body of their comatose boy has become a magnet for malevolent entities, while his consciousness lies trapped in the dark and insidious realm known as "The Further." (FilmDistrict)

Director: James Wan

Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror, Comedy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 102 min

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Critic Reviews

Owen Gleiberman

Mar 30, 2011

A haunted-house movie that has some of the most shivery and indelible images I've seen in any horror film in decades. Yes, it's that unsettling. Read full review

Michael Phillips

Mar 31, 2011

Nicely acted by all and photographed in creepy, cold, under-lit tones. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Mar 30, 2011

No blood, no gore, no hacked-off arms and legs, but plenty of creepy set pieces, quick cuts and blasts of music that will have you both squirming in your seat and jumping out of it. Until the bone-headed part kicks in. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

Mar 31, 2011

The pleasant surprise when you actually watch Insidious is that it turns out to be a moderately effective suburban-family creep show, majorly in debt to "Poltergeist" and "The Exorcist" and capturing at least a little of their spirit. Read full review

Liam Lacey

Mar 31, 2011

Throughout, Wilson and Byrne play these parts straightforward and there's an undercurrent of real anguish in the struggle of parents coping with a child's long-term care. Read full review

Mike Hale

Mar 31, 2011

The strongest analogue for the second half of Insidious is one that the filmmakers probably weren't trying for: it feels like a less poetic version of an M. Night Shyamalan fairy tale. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Mar 31, 2011

The only remotely entertaining aspects of Insidious come from Whannell and Sampson as a comic pair of hypercompetitive hipster ghost hunters, and even that schtick is repeated ad nauseam. Read full review

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User Reviews

InClass

Apr 1, 2011

I have not seen a movie that has scared me soo bad in a long time. Horror movies are my favorite types of movie. This one is one that because of its uniqueness is much more deserving of a higher score than it received. It may not have the best plot, acting, or consistency but damn was itI have not seen a movie that has scared me soo bad in a long time. Horror movies are my favorite types of movie. This one is one that because of its uniqueness is much more deserving of a higher score than it received. It may not have the best plot, acting, or consistency but damn was it scary and fun. I was clenching the seat and my kness hurt after from pressing on the floor. One of my top recent scary movies along with The Others, Drag me to Hell and Cabin Fever.… Expand

14 of 20 users found this helpful146

abduction

Oct 1, 2011

Insidiouse was a great movie. Scarery as hell. Literelly. I was in the movie theater watching it with my dad and he even scremed like a girl. It was hillariouse. I love my dad. What the hell is up with how scarehy they made this movie? After you have seen it once though it is not as f-ingInsidiouse was a great movie. Scarery as hell. Literelly. I was in the movie theater watching it with my dad and he even scremed like a girl. It was hillariouse. I love my dad. What the hell is up with how scarehy they made this movie? After you have seen it once though it is not as f-ing scarey. What the hell is up with that? Ok well I have to go.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

knorbi

Nov 30, 2012

It is probably one of the few movies that really go into the depths of ghost haunting and the reasons why it occurs. I actually believed that it might be the first horror movie with a happy ending. Besides, the original story, the sound effects and the apparitions will try to make you jumpIt is probably one of the few movies that really go into the depths of ghost haunting and the reasons why it occurs. I actually believed that it might be the first horror movie with a happy ending. Besides, the original story, the sound effects and the apparitions will try to make you jump off the seat more than one time.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

JollyG87

Dec 13, 2011

The ghosts in "Insidious" are not the "Paranormal Activity" kind where you rarely ever see them. These ghosts definitely make their presences known by running through hallways and wearing really creepy costumes. They're like a combination between the ghosts in "Carnival of Souls" and "TheThe ghosts in "Insidious" are not the "Paranormal Activity" kind where you rarely ever see them. These ghosts definitely make their presences known by running through hallways and wearing really creepy costumes. They're like a combination between the ghosts in "Carnival of Souls" and "The Shining." Because of this, "Insidious" might not be for everyone. But if you dig old-school horror films, you're in for a treat. James Wan takes his haunted house style of horror and runs with it. His film never lets up on movie atmospherics, and at times, it is truly terrifying. But with that said, the movie does get a little too hokey at times, and the characters aren't all that compelling aside from Lin Shaye as the psychic. But if you want to see a horror film that offers something different, check out "Insidious". Whether you laugh the whole time or you're scare straight from it; "Insidious" delivers the goods.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

vern

Apr 2, 2011

This is a scary movie that actually gets the job done, and does it well. It seems that most horror movies today can't do that. When plot, time consistency (and in some points, the acting) are concerned, this is not a great movie by any means. But this movie does provide plenty of genuineThis is a scary movie that actually gets the job done, and does it well. It seems that most horror movies today can't do that. When plot, time consistency (and in some points, the acting) are concerned, this is not a great movie by any means. But this movie does provide plenty of genuine scares and chills for the viewer. There is also sustained tension, an ominous tone, and some very haunting images throughout it's running time. This film gets an 8 for truly scaring me (and I normally don't get scared at many movies). If you are willing to suspend your disbelief for an hour and a half, you will have a very good time with Insidious.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

Compi24

Mar 1, 2019

James Wan returns to horror filmmaking through the same avenue he entered in the first place -- the low-budget route. Being produced for just a couple hundred thousand dollars more than his directorial debut "Saw," "Insidious" really acts as yet another platform to show the director'sJames Wan returns to horror filmmaking through the same avenue he entered in the first place -- the low-budget route. Being produced for just a couple hundred thousand dollars more than his directorial debut "Saw," "Insidious" really acts as yet another platform to show the director's creative talents at work on a smaller scale. And, indeed, Wan certainly knows how to direct the literal Hell out of a horror movie, even when the budget is decidedly low. We're given an creatively shot and staged horror tale. This unique look, however, just so happens to be paired with an only passable story to accompany it, unfortunately. Some of the ideas are interesting and relatively different for the genre, but I suppose I just didn't care for the pacing and final result of the events at hand. It's a competent effort and a worthwhile watch overall though.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

User32189

Oct 3, 2020

This movie is a train wreck the effects and story line are basic and honestly it is altogether a terrible movie not worth the good scores people give it. Don’t watch it’s a waste of time.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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21	#21 Most Discussed Movie of 2011
23	#23 Most Shared Movie of 2011