Insidious: Chapter 2 (12/24/2013)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of terror and violence, and thematic elements.

Starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye and Ty Simpkins

Directed by James Wan (The Fast and the Furious 7, The Conjuring, Insidious)

Horror depends on scares, and scares depend on surprise, and surprises are a little harder to come by when dealing with the same characters and the same story.

The famed horror team of director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell reunite with the original cast of Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Barbara Hershey and Ty Simpkins in INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 2, the terrifying sequel to the acclaimed horror film, which follows the haunted Lambert family as they seek to uncover the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world.

“It’s not the house. It’s Josh.” That is the creepy line uttered during Insidious: Chapter 2, the follow-up to 2011’s horror hit about a haunted little boy. If it seems familiar, it should: The big payoff line in the previous film was, “It’s not the house that is haunted. It’s your son.” So, the new version is pretty much more of the same, only less elegant and less scary.

This is certainly nothing new, especially in the horror genre. Just look at two of the scariest horror films of all time: The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby. Their follow-ups are not only terrible sequels; they might just be two of the worst films ever made. So whether it’s Paranormal Activity (now on the fifth film) or the Jason movies (nine in all), the horror genre is known for going back to the well over and over and over again.

After the really dark ending of Insidious, Wan now continues the narrative. But the continuation undercuts the “disturbing factor” of the first film’s final shot. And although there’s some clever plotting to interweave the film’s second half with events in the original film, it’s simply not as scary. In fact, I say “Skip It.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Although it’s not as scary as the first one, it is still pretty scary…especially for younger viewers. There is no sex or nudity and the language is mild for a PG-13 film.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. What are some things that scare you?


2. What happens when you encounter ________ (fill in the blank with their fear)?


3. How can we overcome fear?


4. Read Romans 8:38-39
   
   I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!
   
   According to this verse why should we not fear _______?


5. How can you live this week trusting that nothing can separate us from God’s love?