Capsule Reviews: 'Insidious: The Red Door,' 'Joy Ride' & 'Wham!'

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the films being covered here wouldn't exist.

by Philip Price

Insidious: The Red Door

Photo: Sony Pictures

As a fan of this series, I was excited both for the return of the Lambert family to the core of the franchise as well as to see what star Patrick Wilson might do with his directorial debut. Unfortunately, aside from a few solid sequences and some legitimately scary staging “Insidious: The Red Door” feels like a dimly lit and minimalistic production that lets the narrative linger too long to be compelling making The Further-heavy finale more careless than conclusive. Serious props to Sinclair Daniel though, who effectively steals the movie.
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“Insidious: The Red Door” is now playing in theaters.

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Joy Ride

Photo: Lionsgate Films

That “Joy Ride” is as moving as it is laugh-out-loud funny is stunning. The laughs come quicker than a virgin, but the sneaky strong themes of self-discovery and belonging pay off in spades through its genuine heart. Don’t fret though, it’s still gloriously and unapologetically filthy. 

“Joy Ride” is now playing in theaters.

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Wham!

Photo: Netflix

I dreamt of becoming a famous pop star from the time I was 12 years old. My three younger brothers and I would sing and dance and just knew we were going to make it one day. We didn't. Watching “Wham!” it made all those longing feelings return. Knowing the arc of George Michael's solo career, his struggles with drugs and alcohol, and the complicated feelings of remaining closeted about his homosexuality that resulted in his music and career becoming the whole of his personality only makes the end of his life more tragic which in many ways makes me thankful for what I have now in exchange for what I always thought I wanted my life to be. That said, the idea of the titular band remaining so finite as to keep its youthful essence intact is admirable in a way I hadn't really considered in regard to their legacy and furthermore, it works. I haven't stopped listening to Wham! in the week since I've seen the film as it perfectly captures those summer days when we'd dance and dream.
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“Wham!” is streaming on Netflix.