095 INSIDIOUS

Insidious is remembered for jump scares, creepy imagery, and one of the most unsettling uses of “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” ever put on film. But underneath the supernatural horror is a story about something much more grounded: generational trauma, parental fear, and what happens when the problems of one generation get passed down to the next.
In this episode of Cinemental, we break down the psychology behind Insidious, starting with the film’s portrayal of coma, brain injury, concussions, and CTE. We also dig into astral projection and ask whether some experiences people describe as leaving the body might have more in common with dissociation than the supernatural. And because this movie practically demands it, we eventually end up asking the small, easy question: Do human beings actually have souls?
We also look at the very real fears underneath the Lambert family’s story. What questions should people ask themselves before having children? What happens when two parents strongly disagree about the treatment of their child? How does damaged trust change a relationship? And for clinicians, what does it feel like when you reach the point where you genuinely may not be able to help someone? Along the way, Josh also breaks down several completely normal things that happen during sleep that horror movies have been terrifying us with for decades.
Then Jeff turns to the filmmaking side of Insidious for his screenwriting lesson of the day, before we finish with our Top 5 Ways to Learn How to Be a Screenwriter — the books, resources, habits, and approaches that can actually make you better at the craft.