Insidious: Out Of The Further - Is It Time To Let Go Of The Red-Faced Demon?

With 2026 seeing the return of the Insidious franchise with a new sequel, it's time for the series to finally let its most iconic part go. Insidious was a huge success for horror fans when it originally premiered worldwide in 2011. The spooky atmosphere mixed with well-timed scares turned it into one of the most lauded modern horror films.

The sequels that followed were met with varying degrees of success. Insidious: Chapter 3 is often credited as the franchise's best follow-up, but Chapter 2, The Last Key, and The Red Door drew mixed reception from fans.

Now, three years after the franchise supposedly ended, a new film is officially releasing this year. Titled Insidious: Out of the Further, the movie's trailer turns the spotlight on a new character named Gemma.

She has the same astral projection abilities as Dalton. However, what sets her apart from others that came before her is that she can actually bring spirits back from the Further without the need of a host body.

As a whole, the film looks promising. It has the same uncanny feel the original had, while also providing a fresh idea to the 15-year-old series. However, one shot in particular is troubling as it hints at the return of the franchise's biggest villain, the Red-Faced Demon, long after he should have probably been put to rest years ago.

It's Time For Insidious To Move Past The Red-Faced Demon

The Red-Faced, or Lipstick-Faced, Demon is a recurring antagonist throughout the Insidious series that originally pulled Dalton's spirit into the Further in the first film to take his body. His design and presence have made him a fan-favorite for many years. However, as each sequel has gone by, what made him interesting has waned drastically.

The sequels hinted at his grand return, only for him to go completely unseen until The Red Door. Even then, he wasn't nearly as frightening as he was in the first film because fans had been promised a worthwhile ending featuring him. Instead, the fifth film delivered more of the same, which ended with a lackluster finale.

Now, the trailer for Out of the Further features a brief shot where fans can see the Red-Faced Demon doing the same pointing motion from the original film. It's a sign that he's going to be coming back, but after four sequels that didn't live up to his original debut, it's probably best for the franchise to retire the character.

Insidious: Out Of The Further Has Great Ideas Without The Demon In The Trailer Alone

What's disappointing about the Red-Faced Demon's inclusion is that Out of the Further actually has some cool scares and set pieces sprinkled throughout the trailer. The eerie vibes of the Further are stronger than ever, feeling more reminiscent of the original film over any of the sequels.

The spirit designs in particular are also incredibly creepy, adding to how unsettling the concept of this afterlife where time stands still really is. What's even better is that the trailer showcases some great scary moments.

The endless couch fort, in particular, is a massive highlight. It's a unique touch on liminal space horror similar to Backrooms, which is also getting a film adaptation this year. However, the shots of the spirits peeking from the cushions are delightfully terrifying and is a welcome addition to the franchise's pantheon of scares.

Hopefully, this Insidious sequel will keep the Red-Faced Demon to a minimum and focus on its original ideas. However, if he plays a major part, it would be incredibly disappointing because of how played out he's become. He may be the series' most iconic villain, but it's time for the series to let him go to tell new stories.