'Insidious' Reviews: What Are The Critics Saying?

Original "Saw" director James Wan is back with another horror story.

The heavily anticipated scare-thriller "Insidious," staring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, hit theaters today.

"Insidious" tells the story of Josh and Renai Lambert, two parents forced to fend off evil spirits trying to drag their comatose son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) into a realm called "The Further."

Here's what some of the critics are saying.

Rolling Stone's Pete Travers:

In a multiplex ready to sucker punch us with wimpy kids and animated swill about Easter bunnies that hop-hop-hop, Insidious thinks we'll be better served by a scare flick that can fry nerves and tickle funnybones in high style. I sure was.

NPR's David Edelstein:

I'm a sucker for those bumps in the night and flickering lights and simple, no-effects scenes like the one in which Byrne locks the front door, checks another room and returns to see that front door wide open. But then a trio of ghost hunters arrives and with them an explanation for what's happening, and then come the splashy special effects reminiscent of Poltergeist and a feeling of deja vu: been-there-been-bombarded-by-that.

USA Today's Claudia Puig:

There's not much that's insidious, or subtle, here. A prolonged scene involving an unnerving high-pitched burglar alarm does get under our skin. But it's far more annoying than frightening.

Check out the trailer before you go see the movie in theaters:

Comments

[Scottcluthe]

05:22 PM on 04/04/2011

hey, at least this story got me to the new trailer for the latest Aliens movie! lol

gotta stop pushing the buttons....must stop.

stop now please....... cannot go on full screen.......please make it stop!!!!!!!!!!!

[AfricanLivedit]

02:16 PM on 04/04/2011

Loved the movie up until the final act... fell flat. Sigh...

[chaapai]

02:12 AM on 04/03/2011

Saw it last night. Took a first date. The absolute worst date of my entire life. Dinner before hand was an absolute joke. Made Panda express seem gourmet. (his pick) I thought the movie might at least save the day. I was wrong. The man behind me was eating his movie treats with the wild abandon of a starving donkey eating a bag full of apples. The tweens in front brought their infant child and between their yammering and their cell phones: they were completely annoying.

The acting was ham fisted. Rose Byrne was completely terrible and unbelievable. Every time she was in a scene, I recalled the music video scene in "Get Him To The Greek" and in my head I would sing, "ring around my dirty poesy". The Husband Character was cardboard and laughable. Some of the scenes were scary, and I jumped a few times. But I imagine the outright laughter by the rest of the audience wasn't supposed to happen. I couldn't help myself and when the medium put on the gas mask, I couldnt help but call out, "LUKE I AM YOUR FATHER!" Which made the group laugh.

An ok movie. Not worth the $20 concession bill nor the ticket prices. Best if rented from Netflix.

The worst date EVER! I am thru with movie theaters and I am thru with dating. From now on Nextflix and my couch!

[LazarusDurden]

06:35 AM on 04/03/2011

I'd never take you to a cheap restaurant. *puts on his suave cool voice.* First class all the way girl. You can even get the Double Whooper with cheese if you want it.

And I wouldn't even make you pay for the 3-D glasses girl. Yes ma'am nothin' but first class for you.

On the real sorry to hear about your terrible date. He should've taken you to see the Adjustment Bureau. I hear that's a decent date movie.

[phoebequeen]

05:27 PM on 04/03/2011

Sorry about your night. I remember a few of those before I got married. Your just counting down the minutes till you can take off your bra, scratch, wash your face, put jammies on and plunk down in front of the tube with a glass o'wine. Too bad about the movie. I really like Rose Byrne. She was great in Damages. At least you have a sense of humor about the whole awful mess!

[stape45]

09:14 PM on 04/02/2011

Sometimes, film critics are more annoying than helpful.

[Mprior1224]

04:08 PM on 04/04/2011

What do you mean? You dont love it when people tell you what you should and shouldnt like? I bet your not a Limbaugh fan.

-all kidding aside that entire profession is a joke. Critic... who gives a s#^t what they think? besides hollywood.

[Truye]

06:45 PM on 04/02/2011

What a great advert for a movie I barely heard of. I will so watch the trailer before I go see it in theaters!

[RanSays]

10:34 AM on 04/02/2011

Sounds like we finally got an honest reviewer.