Insidious: The Red Door, the fifth installment in the popular horror film franchise, brings back many familiar faces from the previous movies. One of the strengths of the Insidious series has been its reliable cast, who make appearances in various capacities throughout each film. The story began with Josh and Renai Lambert seeking help from psychic Elise Rainier to investigate their comatose son Dalton, who was being targeted by malevolent entities from another dimension known as The Further. While the sequels focused on Elise’s origins and world-building, the latest installment takes place ten years after the events of Insidious: Chapter 2, with the Lambert family now fragmented.
Patrick Wilson reprises his role as Josh Lambert, who also makes his directorial debut in Insidious 5. Josh struggles to connect with his son Dalton due to suppressed memories of The Further and the haunted spirits within it. This unresolved anger and disappointment form a rift between the two, unaware of each other’s struggles. Josh’s journey of self-discovery and redemption, exploring his family history and possible mental illness, is portrayed with convincing emotional repression by Wilson.
Rose Byrne returns as Renai Lambert, who has shouldered much of the emotional burden for the family throughout the franchise. The events of the previous films have taken a toll on Renai, who carries the weight of their experiences and keeps the truth about The Further and her family’s connection to it a secret for ten years. Byrne brings earnestness, sincerity, and conviction to her portrayal of Renai.
Ty Simpkins once again plays Dalton, who, on the brink of adulthood, grapples with his relationship with his father through his artwork. Dalton accidentally reopens the connection with The Further when he draws the Red Door in an art class, leading to a battle between good and evil that brings the Lambert family’s story full circle.
Other returning characters include Foster Lambert, portrayed by Andrew Astor, who plays a more active role in assisting his brother Dalton. Kali Lambert, the youngest of the Lambert children, is largely unaffected by the past events and has few memories of her father’s possession. The iconic Lipstick-Faced Demon, played by Joseph Bishara, returns to possess Dalton once again, creating a terrifying showdown.
No Insidious film would be complete without Lin Shaye’s Elise Rainier, the powerful medium and paranormal expert. Elise offers sage insight to Josh and serves as a spirit guide. Specs and Tucker, played by Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson respectively, reprise their roles as part of Spectral Sightings, providing information on astral projection and aiding Dalton in his quest. Carl, portrayed by Steve Coulter, makes a cameo appearance at Lorraine Lambert’s funeral, while Barbara Hershey’s Lorraine is referenced, impacting the story despite her absence.
Insidious: The Red Door explores the fractured Lambert family, their connections to The Further, and their journey to confront their painful past. The film combines familiar characters, emotional depth, and terrifying encounters to deliver another chilling addition to the Insidious franchise.