Get ready to have your mind blown and your funny bone tickled with these 10 surprising facts about “Insidious”, the horror movie by James Wan that came out in 2010 and sparked the famous franchise that still captivates to this day. From talented demons to blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Easter eggs, this movie is packed with surprises. Let’s jump right in!
The Multifaceted Demon
Remember the Lipstick-Face Demon? He’s not just a scary face! Joseph Bishara, who plays this nightmare-inducing character, also composed the spine-chilling score for “Insidious.” Talk about multitasking. And he’s not done spooking you yet—Bishara has his dark fingerprints on the music of “The Conjuring,” “Annabelle,” and “The Conjuring 2” as well. Someone give this guy an award for the most horrifyingly talented person in Hollywood!
Cinematic Easter Egg?
Hold onto your popcorn! About 30 minutes into “Insidious,” there’s a nod to another James Wan classic. On a classroom chalkboard, you’ll spot a drawing of Billy, the Puppet from “Saw.” Could there be a sinister shared universe lurking beneath the surface? Horror fans, let’s start our theories!
Rapid-Fire Filming
Filming “Insidious” was a real race against the clock. The crew wrapped up the entire shoot in just three weeks. That’s right—21 days of non-stop scares. If only all of our projects could be finished with such horrifying efficiency!
Josh’s Close Call
Patrick Wilson nailed the role of Josh Lambert, but he wasn’t the first pick. Ethan Hawke was initially considered for the part. Given Hawke’s later creepy performance in “Sinister,” it’s fun to imagine what could have been. But hey, Wilson’s chilling portrayal proves he was the perfect choice.
Familiar Plot line
There are also references to other horror movies throughout the franchise. In the first movie, Poltergeist (1982) is referenced in the scene where Leigh Whannell’s character rests his head on the kitchen island and puts a steak on his face. When Rose Byrne’s character is spooked in the family’s attic, it mirrors a scene from The Exorcist (1973). The seance scene mirrors the one in The Changeling (1980).
Director’s Challenge
One of our favourite surprising facts about Insidious. James Wan, the mastermind behind the movie, had a point to prove. After the bloody success of the “Saw” franchise, Wan challenged himself to scare audiences without relying on gore. With “Insidious,” he aimed to create a spine-tingling atmosphere instead. Judging by our sleepless nights, we’d say he succeeded!
Creepy Filming Spot
The creepy vibes of “Insidious” were amplified by its filming location. When Josh ventures into “The Further” to save his son, those scenes were shot in the Herald Examiner Building in Los Angeles. This place is notorious for covering one of LA’s most gruesome cases—the Black Dahlia murder in 1947. Talk about a match made in horror heaven!
Literal Demon Name
The Lipstick-Face Demon’s name might sound mysterious, but there’s no hidden meaning. His name comes from the very literal fact that Bishara’s face was colored with actual lipstick. Imagine the makeup artists raiding every cosmetics store in town!
Sneaky Ghost Boy
James Wan loves sneaky details. In “Insidious,” there’s a ghost boy who Renai spots dancing in her living room. But did you catch him earlier? Half a minute before she notices him, he’s standing in the hallway, facing the wall. A classic blink-and-you-miss-it moment!
The Book
In Insidious Leigh Whannell’s character talks about writing a book. The joke is that Leigh Whannell literally wrote the script the film is based on.
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