In recent years, there have been very few horror movies that stand out in this ever-growing, almost oversaturated, genre of film.

While not a masterpiece, “Insidious: Chapter 3” is definitely worth spending your time and money on.

Set before the haunting of the Lambert family, seen in the first two films, “Insidious: Chapter 3” is centered around the haunting of teenager Quinn Brenner following the recent death of her mother Lilith.

There are many things to praise in this film. To start, the performances are fantastic.

Lin Shaye reprises her role as Elise Rainier, everybody’s favorite psychic, and is just as fantastic as before. Dermot Mulroney plays Sean Brenner, the father of Quinn, and turns an otherwise clichéd character into someone you actually care about.

The most surprising performance to me was that of the main actress Stefanie Scott.

In short, Scott plays a relatable character that you actually feel attached to and she does it very well. I’m surprised that I had never heard about Scott before because she is an excellent young actress.

Aside from the great performances, the direction is excellent. James Wan, director of the first two films in the series, handed the reins over to long-time writing partner Leigh Whannell for this entry.

To my surprise, this is one of the most well-directed horror films in years. From the genuine scares to the dynamic cinematography, Whannel definitely delivered.

However, the film does have its flaws. To me, it has some pacing issues and feels especially slow in the second act.

Also, near the end of the movie, some of the dialogue is too cheesy for me to enjoy. In the last 20 minutes or so, it feels very rushed and almost childish.

The only other complaint I have is that the main demon of the film is never fully explained, leaving you with a desire for more information.

Overall, “Insidious: Chapter 3” is a well directed and entertaining horror film featuring great performances and genuine scares. Though it has flaws, it is worth the visit to your local theater.

Rating: B+