Insidious: Attempting to terrify our non-physical bodies

One of the most fascinating theories of the ancient world is astral projection. Astral projection is an out-of-body experience which involves leaving the physical body behind to travel to higher planes in the form of an ‘astral body’. It is fascinating to think that in the modern world, in spite of science and the requirement of solid facts, there is place for belief in such ideas as astral projection; a form of living beyond the bounds of the physical body to experience more.

The Lambert family has recently shifted into a new house. The family consists of the patriarch, Josh, his wife, Renai, their two sons Dalton and Foster, and their newborn daughter. Dalton is an adventurous boy who likes to play with action figures and imagine new worlds as their battlefields. He does not lose a chance to explore new things and it is this curiosity that brings him to the attic of their new house. In trying to reach the light switch in the attic, Dalton has an accident and suffers a mild concussion. He goes to sleep that night as usual but unfortunately does not wake up the next morning. The doctors reveal that he is in a comatose state but medical science has no reason to explain his grave condition. Renai takes care of him for 3 months but finds it difficult to continue to live in the house which has an ominous presence. The family shifts houses but the hauntings continue. Finally, consulting with a paranormal expert, the family discovers that it wasn’t the house that was haunted but Dalton himself. Josh must take matters in his own hands to make sure his son comes back to his normal state safely.

The film begins with the story of an ordinary family who have just started their new life by welcoming a new member and moving into a new house. From there, the story goes into a tragedy of a mother taking care of her son before turning on its heels to become a horror about a paranormal condition of astral projection. The film starts decently and becomes quite interesting with the theories of astral planes and travelling beyond physical existences. The expectation of watching the characters take on what is called ‘The Further’ in the film, i.e. the astral plane where non-physical persons roam, becomes quite exciting. Unfortunately, the manner in which it has been dealt is quite disappointing. Towards the end of the plot, the horror elements in the film actual become quite ridiculous.

The film is not really terrifying. It does use a few scare tactics with good costume and makeup alongside quick cuts and sound effects, but that is as far as it goes. Overall, the film would have been more interesting if the astral planes were dealt with better and if the film maintained its consistency.