That even after hundreds of horror films with a similar design, films can still be made that scare you to death, director James Wan proves once again. Before this movie he showed with The Conjuring tat even with a fairly conventional story he could do more than just well. Especially the first half hour had a strong tension build-up.

Insidious had a very original design with a surprisingly creepy effect. Here too, it was mainly Wan's timing that was able to overtake the viewer at exactly the right moments. This is no different in the second part of the horror hit. However, at times the logic has to be circumvented in order to maintain consistency. Those who can still remember the end of the first chapter know that this could immediately cause problems at the beginning of chapter two. After all that happened, Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson), the father of the boy who was plagued by supernatural powers, would actually have to sit behind the bars (if that's righteous or not, is a different matter). But the official police investigation is still on-going, which helps to quickly catch up with the viewers who skipped the first chapter in a questioning scene.

Unfortunaly that makes an creepy build-up like in Insidious immediately impossible. It is therefore inconceivable that Insidious; Chapter 2can be as chilling as it's predecessor, simply because you already know how everything works. This second part is also regularly seen as a repetition of moves. It is logical that the film explores the world between life and death again, but little new is added to it. The way in which the story takes shape this time feels a lot easier. Particularly in the climax of the film, the viewer must take a number of unbelievable and moderately elaborate twists for granted.

But do not forget that the same James Wan is still the director. This man can take care of blood-curdling moments with something as simple as a baby monitor. Even though Insidious: Chapter 2 is no longer as refreshing and smart as the first part, it is still a horrot that, because of the horrible oppressive atmosphere and well-timed scares, effortlessly exceeds the average. And with that, even the almost laughable final scene, where the doors are unearthed open for a third chapter, is overlooked.

_" In my line of work things tend to happen when it gets dark."_
7,2/10