InsidiousMovie Reviews

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Avg. Critic Score: 52 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
15 Iffy for 15+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 91
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    A haunted-house movie that has some of the most shivery and indelible images I've seen in any horror film in decades. Yes, it's that unsettling. Read full review

  • 75
    St. Petersburg Times | Steve Persall

    A tidy terror flick, and refreshing with its intention to make viewers gasp rather than gag. Read full review

  • 75
    Orlando Sentinel | Roger Moore

    The spookiest and most entertaining horror flick since "Paranormal Activity." Read full review

  • 70
    The Hollywood Reporter | John DeFore

    Successful to a point (though seemingly unaware of the chuckles it produces in between shrieks), the movie has strong prospects with genre audiences but won't spawn a phenomenon resembling the filmmakers' previous franchise. Read full review

  • 70
    Arizona Republic | Bill Goodykoontz

    No blood, no gore, no hacked-off arms and legs, but plenty of creepy set pieces, quick cuts and blasts of music that will have you both squirming in your seat and jumping out of it. Until the bone-headed part kicks in. Read full review

  • 70
    Variety | Rob Nelson

    A possession thriller less terrifying than fun. Read full review

  • 70
    Village Voice | Nick Pinkerton

    We need visionaries-but also solid craftsmen who seem to enjoy their work. Insidious is the product of the latter. It doesn't build a better haunted house but, when on its game, reminds us of the genre's pleasures. Read full review

  • 63
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    This one is not terrifically good, but moviegoers will get what they're expecting. Read full review

  • 50
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    It's far more annoying than frightening. Read full review

  • 50
    The New York Times | Mike Hale

    The strongest analogue for the second half of Insidious is one that the filmmakers probably weren't trying for: it feels like a less poetic version of an M. Night Shyamalan fairy tale. Read full review

View more reviews for Insidious on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 15+ Exceptionally scary flick is too intense for younger teens.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that although this horror movie is rated PG-13, it's one of the most terrifying scary movies in some time, and it's not recommended for younger teens (or anyone without a high tolerance for "jump" scenes). There's some blood, as well as some arguing and yelling, and a young boy is in jeopardy throughout the movie (he's separated from his parents, which may add to the anxiety for some kids -- even teens). But most of the horror is in the form of the stuff that nightmares are made of: darkness, shadows, and noises. It's very scary. Language is fairly light but does include one use of "f--k"; there's no sex, drugs, or drinking content of note.
  • Families can talk about the movie's violence and terror. How did it affect you?
  • How scary is the movie? What makes it different from, and scarier than, other horror movies? Is it scarier given the fact that a young boy is in trouble?
  • Are these characters likable? Why do you think they act the way they do? Are they role models?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: There's a fair bit of conflict -- characters argue a great deal and are unable to agree on much. The wife wants a supernatural solution, and the more practical husband won't allow it. The problem is solved, but not entirely solved.
  • rolemodels true0 Positive role models: Though these people are all nice enough, they're not much in the way of role models. The wife spends the film being scared, and the husband is vain and argues and hides from his responsibilities for much of the movie. Though he eventually shows bravery, it may be too late.
What to watch for
  • violence false4 Violence: The movie isn't violent in a gory way, though viewers do see some bloody handprints and some intense fighting; there are loud, scary noises on the soundtrack; and a young boy is in jeopardy throughout. But while it isn't graphic, the movie is very frightening, with lots of creepy, half-glimpsed figures and a scary alternate universe in which everything is dark and anything could be hiding anywhere.
  • sex false0 Sex: Not an issue
  • language false3 Language: Language isn't constant but includes one "f--k," plus "goddamn," "hell," "bitch," "oh my God," "goddamn," and "whore."
  • consumerism false1 Consumerism: One main character uses an Apple laptop.
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false0 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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