Starring Lin Shaye. Leigh Whannell and Angus Sampson

Directed by Adam Robitel

Universal, out now

Paranormal investigator and psychic Elise has to return to her childhood home to save some lost souls and battle a demon.

By the time you’ve reached the fourth instalment in a series, particularly the sequel to a prequel of the first one, the brand is well-established and followers of the franchise know exactly what to expect. So, while the world was never crying out for a fourth Insidious movie, spending time with Elise Rainier and fellow ghostbusters Specs and Tucker is never a chore.

Effectively an origin story for Elise, we see how the young girl meets her first demons in the grounds of a prison and escapes from an abusive relationship. Lin Shaye (sister of New Line Cinema’s Bob Shaye) is always great value as Elise, and series creator Leigh Whannell has given both his own character (Specs) and Angus Sampson (Tucker) some fun movie moments to break the tension, while also handing over the directorial reins to Paranormal Activity writer Adam Robitel.

As with all movies that rely on jump-scares and partial glances of the big-bad, when the reveal eventually comes, it’s never quite as terrifying as what your mind has already created. The key-fingered demon is fine, but it’s better served in the shadows and the corner of the frame.

Verdict: Made to a tried and tested formula, Insidious: The Last Key promises to be the final instalment in the series, and by butting up directly with Insidious, it serves as the Rogue One of the series. Low on gore but made with the efficiency of a well-run ghost train or carnival house of horror, you get exactly what you expect, though nothing more. 7/10

Nick Joy