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Posted January 3, 2018 by Scott Davis in Features
 
 

The Preview Reel: Insidious: The Last Key


Welcome to this week’s “Preview Reel” column, wherein we look at the week’s upcoming wide-release movies. The 2017 holiday season was kind to movie fans as there were plenty of films to choose from, and audiences showed up in droves. Star Wars: The Last Jedi predictably made an enormous amount of money, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle made more money than expected, and even The Greatest Showman showed some promising staying power. We have now come to January, which is a traditionally slow time at the cineplexes. This year is no different as there is only one wide-release movie coming out this week—Insidious: The Last Key.

 

Insidious: The Last Key

Insidious: The Last KeyWhat we are excited about: The Insidious franchise is better than most of the other horror franchises out there. The films in the series have sported a good balance of jump scares and atmospheric creepiness, which many PG-13 horror films tend to miss. Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) proved that the series can rely on Lin Shaye to carry the franchise, and that seems to again be the case with The Last Key. The trailers are about the same quality of the other trailers in the franchise, so if you’re a fan of the previous three films, there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to be excited for this installment.

What we are worried about: While the Insidious franchise is better than most horror franchises, there has been a definitive decline in quality over the course of the series. Horror sequels are usually made to make a quick buck, which unfortunately seems to be the case with this Insidious: The Last Key. Yes, the trailers are creepy, but we’ve been burned by plenty of horror franchises in the past to know that they usually don’t get better by the fourth film.

The Buzz: The internet buzz is still surrounding the holiday releases, but the first week of the new year is usually a good spot for a horror movie. Don’t ask us why, but maybe after all the light and fluffy entertainment given to audiences over the holidays, they want something scary. We’re not sure, but The Last Key does not have any reviews yet, which isn’t a good sign. Look for an opening around $20 million.

Final Thoughts: If you’re a fan of the franchise, the trailers seem to be giving you exactly what you want. If you’re not, catch up on movies you missed instead.

Scott Davis

Scott Davis

Scott Davis is a recent graduate of Oakland University where he earned a degree in journalism. He worked for the student newspaper on campus, The Oakland Post, where he became the paper's managing editor. He also earned a minor in Cinema Studies at OU. Scott enjoys all things film and TV related, especially the blockbuster kind. He might be the biggest Christopher Nolan fan you know.