Insidious: Chapter 2 proves once again that James Wan and Leigh Whannell can produce a horror film that’s relevant to current audiences and can still maintain a classic horror film feel.

Released Sept. 13, Insidious: Chapter 2 is the sequel to Wan’s film Insidious, released back in 2011.

The film returns with the same Insidious director, James Wan, and screenwriter, Leigh Whannell; along with returning actors Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Andrew Astor, Barbara Hershey, and Lin Shaye to reprise their roles.

By the end of Insidious, the audience finds out that as a child Josh possessed the power to travel in astral projection; just as his son, Dalton does.

The only reason Josh doesn’t remember is because his mother, Lorraine, decided to have it removed from his memory with the help of a medium by the name of Elise.

Insidious: Chapter 2 begins by going back to when a much younger Josh and his mother, Lorraine meet with medium Elise in hopes to help with the weird occurrences going on with Josh. Upon Lorraine finding out that Josh possesses the power to travel in astral projection

Just as a good film should, right as the scene’s suspense heightens the flashback is cut off by the large abrupt title of the film.

When the movie returns, Renai and a detective are in a police interrogation room going over her report of the events at her house that left Elise dead. Practically picking up where Insidious left off.

It’s apparent that Elise has been killed and that Josh is a suspect in her murder, and while investigations are going on at the Lambert’s home, they decide to stay at the grandmother, Lorraine’s house.

As time passes though it becomes more and more obvious that the spirits have followed the Lambert family.

To make matters worse with the murder accusations and eerie behavior from Josh, suspicions begin to arise amongst his family.

The duo of Wan and Whannell has found a way to fuse both the storylines of Insidious and Insidious: Chapter 2 seamlessly. The sequel’s plot works so well because it isn’t an obvious giveaway to viewers and yet is not being too farfetched.

The acting in Insidious: Chapter 2 was fairly good, but at times came off played up or even corny. Yet to the horror movie lover it’s evident that these corny moments are an ode to classic horror films, with certain one liners, or close up camera shots when a character is presented.

Patrick Wilson has a stand out performance as the father Josh Lambert, in Insidious: Chapter 2. In the sequel Josh is such a dynamic character that the talented Wilson can show his acting range. Still with all the drama and intensity within the film, characters Specs and Tucker (played by Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson) provide as surprising comedic relief to Insidious: Chapter 2.

The overall theme of the movie was perfectly portrayed with the help of the visuals. Color and lighting schemes played up the tension of certain scenes; as well as the locations, sets, and set dressings brought an eerie feel to the film.

Camera work by the D.P John R. Leonetti worked really well with both Insidious: Chapter 2 and Insidious. His technique of have constant movement and shifting causes the audiences to always be on high alert like that of the character in the scene; it leaves viewers scanning every room corner and window anticipating the next scare.

Insidious: Chapter 2 is a really well made horror film that can be enjoyed by a vast variety of people.

Although if you are expecting it to be a slasher horror type film, you will be disappointed. Insidious: Chapter 2 doesn’t have a lot of gore or random half naked women running from a killer, but horror film classic lovers will surely love Wan’s approach to a modern day horror movie.