Hitting cinema screens this Friday in both the UK and the US, is the supernatural horror sequel, Insidious: The Red Door. The film – directed by and starring Patrick Wilson – features a cast that includes Ty Simpkins, Rose Byrne, and Lin Shea, and acts as a direct sequel to 2013’s Insidious: Chapter 2.
If you’re a horror fan then you may be off to watch this film when it plays in cinemas this summer, and you may even be tempted to take the younger members of the family along with you. But is this film suitable for all ages, including those who have just hit their teen years?
In terms of this movie’s suitability, it largely depends on where you reside in the world. If you live in the UK, the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has awarded Insidious: The Red Door a ’15’ certificate, which means it is deemed not suitable for anyone under the age of 15.
If you do fall below this age, then the cinema will turn you away. Insidious: The Red Door has been given this age rating due to the film meeting various criteria, and this age certificate is what cinemas will adhere to when selling tickets.
To give you an example of the BBFC’s ruling on this movie, the organisation gives the level of ‘threat and horror’ in the film a score of four out of five. It then backs this up by saying: “There are protracted suspenseful sequences involving supernatural horror, as demonic entities slowly reveal themselves in the dark, and possess characters while they are sleeping.”
The BBFC adds: “Jump scare moments involve hands bursting out of inanimate objects and characters being plunged into darkness. Elements of body horror also feature in some scenes, with a focus on people puking up blood and vomit.”
The BBFC also notes some injury detail, as well as horror sequences which “occasionally depict a monstrous figure eating what appears to be flesh.” This should give you a rough idea of what to expect in the film, so you can understand why the BBFC reached its decision.
If you live in the US, however, then the ratings at cinemas differ considerably. The same movie is playing, but the US guidance is different, with Insidious: The Red Door receiving a much less restrictive ‘R’ rating.
The ‘R’ rating tells audiences the film “contains some adult material” and suggests that “parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.” However, while parents are encouraged to check up on the film before viewing it, this doesn’t mean children can’t watch the movie.
The only restriction with an ‘R’ rating is that anyone under the age of 17 must be accompanied by a parent or an adult guardian when they go to a screening. Other than that, anyone can watch the movie.
Having watched Insidious: The Red Door for myself, I tend to agree with the UK’s ’15’ certificate rating. The film isn’t a particularly scary movie, but there are scenes which some young audiences may not be comfortable with.
Of course, you know your child better than anyone else, so it is ultimately your decision. And as mentioned above, depending on where you live in the world, your choices may vary.
For those living in the UK, the choice is fairly simple: Unless you are 15 or over, you will not be able to view this movie in a cinema. For those in the US, it is a judgement call.
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Thank you for stopping by It’s A Stampede! to read this post about Insidious: The Red Door. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
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