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Insidious: Chapter 3

26 June 2015English1h 37mPart 3 of the Insidious series
Horror
out of 10
Mixedlukewarm or divided
Monk Score · 6 scored reviews · 4 not rated

Atmospheric early scares fade as the second half loses its nerve.

Verdict tier Mixed, lukewarm or divided, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: atmospheric scares for franchise fans
  • Criticised: weak uninventive second half

Audience

User score 6.3 out of 10 from 4 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 1 audience review ↓

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Critic consensus

What 10 critics are saying

Critical reception for Insidious: Chapter 3 is mixed, leaning slightly negative. Some reviewers appreciated the film's dark atmospherics, its emotional undercurrent around grief, and its ability to deliver serviceable scares for genre fans. However, a number of critics found the film formulaic and unoriginal, with several noting that the second half loses momentum and that the story ultimately leaves little impact. The consensus is that the film works best as viewing for existing franchise fans rather than general audiences.

How the 6 scores spread

4 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 10 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (10)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    If horror whets your appetite you can hardly go wrong with 'Insidious: Chapter 3' – it's not often that a good horror film hits theaters, so make the most of it.

  2. FilmiBeat

    Film review ·

    Insidious: Chapter 3 is here to scare the hell out of you! If you have laughed off while watching the grotesque Chapter 2, then this prequel will bring you back to the terrific occurrences which left us fearful after watching Chapter 1.

  3. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    The film is high on ominousness, especially those dark atmospherics when Elise slips into the 'Further', a place fraught with danger. With the prequel and the subsequent two films now covering the gamut of scares, it's clear that the next one in the series will have to have some new ideas to keep the franchise fresh.

  4. DNA India

    Film review ·

    Go for this only if you're a fan of the franchise. You won't much care about it otherwise. You will end up chuckling, rather than being very afraid.

  5. NDTV

    Film review ·

    What starts off as an intriguing film ends up as an insipid horror tale that leaves no impact.

  6. The Navhind Times

    Film review ·

    There is also a whole load of mumbo jumbo about ghosts, spirits, dark side, the world of spirits (which is referred to as Further). There is little doubt in my mind that most of the superstitions in the world come from silly films like these.

  7. BookMyShow

    Film review ·

    Insidious: Chapter 3 offers the audience something more than most horror movies. From the very first scene, you can guess that the movie is headed in a completely different direction. While it doesn't pack a punch with the scares, it is the emotional undercurrent that stands out. Grief and dealing with the death of a loved one are the subjects the first two movies didn't really talk about. Avoiding cliches and conventionality, Whannell has put together a frightening, yet emotional movie that covers all its flaws brilliantly.

  8. Rediff

    Film review ·

    A simple story of demonic possession seems to have gotten lost in the mists of the Further while one was away during the interval, the ends of which are tied up with laughable simplicity and a saddening lack of creativity. Much like a bumbling partner in a three-legged race, the second half of the film weighs its first half down. Insidious: Chapter 3 is less insidious and more insipid.

  9. The Free Press Journal

    Film review ·

    The hideous visages of these creatures might give the fainthearted sleepless nights. Mercifully, Insidious 3 adopts a pro-life values in its stand against suicide and its extolment of family.Most important, it has good winning against evil.

  10. The Hindu

    Film review ·

    The chapter doesn't teach us anything new but it has serviceable characters and scares to keep the teenagers occupied.

From our readers

Audience reviews (1)

4 ratings · user score 6.3

  1. VarunJul 2015
    8/10

    I think Insidious 3 does not pretend to be something its not , it does not pretend to be like other movies in the genre like "The conjuring" or "The Babadook." Insidious is what it is. So is it an entertaining movie ? Yes , it absolutely is ! I has an amazing storyline , which has some amazing twists and several interesting characters , and It is the way the storylines of the different characters contribute to the Climax is what really makes the movie shine . Lin Shaye , who potrays Elise has done a great Job of bringing the character to life , the other actors Lin Dermot Mulroney as Sean Brenner and Stefanie Scott as Quinn Brenner also play decently. The film relies on many jump scares throughout , which surpisingly don't putt off the audience but leave the audience wanting for more. Aside from jump scares it has tense moments that build up the tension gradually. Nicely done. How ever the movie tries to be more "bad ass" than "perfect." which may be a positive or a negative depending upon individual tastes.

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