Insidious: Chapter 2 Review Roundup: Critics Say It Is "Scary Indeed" but Also "Stupid"

Find out what people are saying about the horror-thriller

The horror-thriller Insidious: Chapter 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the acclaimed 2010 film Insidious, hits theaters on Sept. 13. 

Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne are back to reprise their roles as husband and wife Josh and Renai Lambert, who are seeking to find out the mysterious childhood secret that has left them dangerously connected to a world of darkness. Sounds like they are in for a roller-coaster ride, filled with some terrifying moments!

Directed by James Wan, how do critics feel about the franchise's second installment? Let's find out!

The Telegraph's Robbie Collin writes "this sounds like more of the same, and it is: Insidious: Chapter 2 picks up the story at the very moment we left it, and expects its audience to have a detailed understanding of that first film's characters and rulebook. Anyone who does might feel a pang of disappointment that the plot is even feebler this time, and becomes slightly bogged down as Renai, her mother-in-law (Barbara Hershey) and a team of ghost-hunters engage in some Scooby-Doo-like detective work." But still, Collin adds that "the scares are mostly very scary indeed, and that means the film does its job."

Time Out's Nigel Floyd is far from enthusiastic about the film, saying "even if you succumbed to the dog-eared scares of The Conjuring, you'll struggle to find magic in this calamitous sequel to director James Wan's earlier, sillier haunted house movie, Insidious."  He finishes his review on a tough note, adding "for all but the most forgiving horror fans, this is a lazy, stupid and incoherent failure."

Bruce Demara from The Toronto Star gives praise to the actors, explaining "performances are also pretty much on par with the first, with Rose Byrne as Josh's wife Renai even more anxious to protect her children and the always watchable Hershey getting an expanded role. Wilson gets to extend his range a little further, from the skeptical dad in part 1 to a Jekyll-and-Hyde wannabe. And dead or alive, Lin Shaye's Elise as the ghost medium is awfully good."  He adds that the director is "capable of generating plenty of chills without resorting to gore."

Rotten Tomatoes gave Insidious: Chapter 2 a 41 percent fresh rating.