When a horror franchise reaches its sixth installment, expectations naturally shift. You generally aren’t expecting a reinvention of the wheel; you’re hoping for an effective spooky ride that respects the mythology and delivers a few memorable jolts. That was precisely my mindset heading into Insidious: Out of the Further.
The verdict? It was an enjoyable enough movie that didn’t blow my mind, but was merely satisfactory.
The film picks up threads from the eerie purgatory of the Further and stages some solid, suspenseful sequences with director Jacob Chase behind the camera. It keeps the pacing brisk, leans into the shadowy, red-tinted aesthetic we know so well, and gives fans of the series a familiar dose of haunted atmosphere. But it plays things very safe, rarely taking the kind of narrative or tonal risks that make a horror sequel truly unforgettable.
The highlight of the film, without question, is Lin Shaye.
I’ve loved Lin Shaye for many years. She has long been one of the most reliable and charismatic character actors working in cinema, particularly across genre film. Whether it’s her appearances in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise or her completely unhinged, laugh-out-loud performance as the hyper-religious mother in Detroit Rock City, she elevates every single scene she steps into.
Back in 2015, I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing Lin at Monster-Mania, and she was every bit as warm, sharp, and gracious in person as she is captivating on screen. In Out of the Further, she returns to reprise Elise Rainier, and once again, her presence provides the story’s emotional heartbeat. Whenever she’s on camera, the film instantly finds its footing.
That said, Lin’s charm and a handful of well-crafted jump scares aren’t quite enough to push the film into must-see territory.
While Out of the Further is decent, so many superior horror movies have been released this year that they’ve raised the bar. With 2026 offering a stacked lineup of genuinely inventive, pulse-pounding horror (e.g., Obsession), this entry doesn’t feel essential. It’s worth watching only when it’s eventually available to stream for free on a platform you already have. Until then, you can comfortably leave this door unopened.
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