INSIDIOUS is the most successful film of 2011!

When was the last time you could say that about a horror film?!?  It brings me great joy to know that an independent and original horror film is the most profitable film so far this year.  Though we have been treated to some really bad horror films this year (The Rite, The Roommate, Season of the Witch), Insidious and its slow rise to fame more than makes up for them all.  The winning team behind Paranormal Activity have seemed to nailed it again.  A $1.5 million budget film has now grossed $44.5 million in the US alone in just 4 weeks! What does this prove? According to producer Jason Blum, “It shows that there is still a market for quality genre movies, and that it is possible to make film on a micro-budget.”

The Hollywood Reporter recently caught up with the producer to discuss the success of the micro-budgeted horror film.  Blum, along with Oren Peli and Steven Schneider seem to be two for two with successful horror films that have found an audience after the massive Paranormal Activity in 2007. Where other major horror films, like Scream 4, blew their budget up to ridiculous heights (Scream 4 was made for $40 mil. and has made only $31.2), Insidious managed to include a great cast and a creepy look for next to nothing by Hollywood standards. “It’s not about cost, cast or special effects,”says Stuart Ford of IM GlobalFord (who is handling the foreign sales for the film). “It’s about having a scary concept that’s well-executed.”  That is exactly what happened with Insidious.  Directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, Insidious managed to incorporate a simple idea and craft an effective and scary ghost story.  Where so many films these days seem to be direct remakes, unnecessary sequels, faux-documentary horror, or be littered with nods to gritty grindhouse films, Insidious managed to do something different.  It presented a more classic and straight forward approach to horror complete with creepy faces lingering in the darkness, an effective and prominent score (no nu-metal soundtrack here), and quality film-making that showcases the great cast while also displaying the talents of the crew.  If you haven’t contributed to the overwhelming and unexpected success of Insidious so far, I highly encourage you to treat yourself to some great scares in the darkness of a theater.  I, myself, plan on seeing it once more on the big-screen before it leaves.  Hopefully, it will continue its reign at the box-office.  But more importantly, I hope Hollywood takes note of this “little horror film” before they decide to waste money on   .  .  . well .  .  . you already know the films that I am referring to.