A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Insidious franchise has always been about crossing boundaries—between the living and the dead, between indie horror and mainstream success. But now, it's at a different kind of crossroads. With Insidious 6 on the horizon, Sony Pictures and Blumhouse Productions have tapped Come Play director Jacob Chase to helm the project, aiming for an August 2026 release.
It's a bold choice. Chase, known for blending supernatural horror with deeply personal storytelling, isn't just a hired gun—he's a filmmaker with a vision. But is he the right one to resurrect a franchise that, frankly, may be showing signs of fatigue?
From Come Play to The Further
Chase made waves in 2020 with Come Play, a modern ghost story about a lonely autistic boy who connects with a terrifying entity through his tablet. It wasn't just jump scares and dark hallways; it was a meditation on isolation and technology's eerie grip on childhood.
That's what makes him an intriguing pick for Insidious 6. The franchise's eerie, fog-drenched spirit realm—The Further—has always served as a metaphor for grief, trauma, and the things we try to ignore. Chase's knack for blending horror with emotional depth could inject new life into a franchise that's sometimes felt like it was running on fumes.
A Franchise in Limbo
The Insidious series has had its highs (Insidious and Insidious: Chapter 2) and lows (The Last Key, anyone?). Last year's Insidious: The Red Door attempted to wrap up the Lambert family's haunting, but critics were split on whether it was a satisfying conclusion or a desperate attempt to cash in on nostalgia.
Meanwhile, a proposed spin-off, Thread: An Insidious Tale, was supposed to expand the universe in a new direction. With Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani attached, it promised a Back to the Future-meets-The Conjuring vibe. But that project has been eerily silent, much like the ghosts that populate these films.
Blumhouse's Need for Speed
One thing is clear: Blumhouse doesn't want another delay. Insidious 6 was originally slated for 2025, but with no production in sight, it was pushed to August 2026. Chase's other project, Bad Boy—a serial killer thriller told from the perspective of a dog—was set to film this year, but he appears to be prioritizing Insidious 6 instead.
The urgency is understandable. Insidious has been one of Blumhouse's most reliable franchises, and horror is having a moment right now. But rushing into production just to meet a release date? That's how franchises turn into soulless cash grabs.
What Could Insidious 6 Look Like?
With no plot details available, we're left to speculate. Given Chase's strengths, it's easy to imagine a film that dials down the franchise's more gimmicky elements (astral projection duels, anyone?) and leans into psychological horror.
Could we finally explore the origins of The Further? Or maybe a completely fresh take—new characters, new hauntings, but the same eerie, spine-chilling tone that made Insidious a hit in the first place?
Will Chase Deliver—or Will Insidious Finally Flatline?
Horror fans are divided. Some are excited to see what Chase can bring to the table, while others worry he might be too much of a wildcard. One thing's for sure: Insidious 6 is a make-or-break moment for the franchise.
If it's great, Chase could become the new face of Insidious, much like how Mike Flanagan reinvigorated The Haunting series. If it's a mess? Well, The Further has plenty of room for one more ghost.
What do you think? Will Chase be the director Insidious needs, or is the franchise past saving? Let us know in the comments.
