“Insidious: Red Door”

(Horror/Mystery: 1 hour, 47 minutes)

Starring: Ty Simpkins, Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne

Director: Patrick Wilson

Rated: PG-13 (Suggestive material, strong language, frightening images, terror and violence)

Movie Review: The original cast returns for this final — about time — chapter of this horror franchise.

A point comes where the thrills are present when watching but the horror elements that play with the mind secede into mere darkness.

Thus, “Insidious: Red Door” becomes more of a father-son drama than a horror.

Directed by star Patrick Wilson, who has been a staple in horror movies, is now Josh Lambert, an estranged father of two teenage sons.

His oldest son, Dalton (Simpkins), is now in college. While taking an art class from a renowned professor, he draws a red door. The painting appears as a repressed memory, a gateway to another part of the universe called The Further.

Dalton’s art triggers the malevolent beings that live in that other dimension.

To lock away demonic beings that hunt them, the two men must travel deeper into The Further.

There, they must confront their family’s dark past by discovering what is behind the red door.

Plenty about this movie makes no sense. For one, Dalton sleeps with a night light but he appears to enjoy sitting in the dark while producing art.

Family secrets that should have appeared long before now suddenly seem relevant 10 years later when necessary to facilitate a story.

While the father-son relationship between Josh and Dalton is intriguing, a greater story appears present that is untold about their relationship.

Simpkins has an everyday appeal that works as the lead. His character is tangible as a college student and as an artist.

Simpkins and Wilson, who makes his directorial debut, are a neat pairing. Their familial bond at the end of the movie is worthy of a dramatic story but not a horror movie.

While frights exist, they are nominal compared to previous movies in this franchise.

Grade: C+ (Open it; then, close it.)

Playing at Valdosta Stadium Cinemas

“The Lesson”

(Drama: 1 hour, 43 minutes)

Starring: Daryl McCormack, Richard Grant, Julie Delpy and Stephen McMillan

Director: Alice Troughton

Rated: R (Language, violence and sexual content)

Movie Review: “Good writers have the sense to borrow from their betters. Great writers steal.”

These words happen at the beginning of “The Lesson.” They offer foreshadowing, a mystery unseen until the last few scenes.

This movie is a good lesson about writing a good screenplay.

Liam Sommers (McCormack), a young attractive writer, takes a position tutoring Bertie Sinclair (McMillan) for the young man’s writing entrance exams to Oxford University.

Bertie is the son of wealthy parents. His father is famed writer J.M. Sinclair (Grant) and curator and artist Hélèn Sinclair (Delpy).

J.M. is a self-absorbed man more concerned about his writing than his wife and alienated son. Hélèn appears distant and neglected.

All are still grieving the loss of the family’s oldest son. Liam’s arrival is just what the family needs. He injects a refreshing energy into the family.

“The Lesson” has an intense edge that creates anxiety. The Sinclairs have a beautiful life: a fine spacious mansion, wealth, luxury cars, their health and servants that take care of their needs. Yet, this family appears as unhappy as all get out.

As the movie progresses, one realizes why their angst and agony persist.

Among their grief, a deep sense of loss and the unseen mystery occurs behind it. The cast portrays their roles well to exude a family still missing a beloved one.

A very small, fine group delivers mightily. Richard Grant and Julie Delpy are sensational. They render a loving but flawed couple.

Grant creates a certain antagonistic appeal that makes his character nicely intimidating. Delpy is talented to the point that she communicates much with a glance, even more expressive with words. Grant, Delpy, Daryl McCormack and Stephen McMillan are a splendid ensemble.

Alice Troughton skillfully directs the cast in her full-length debut. She directed television shows such as “Merlin” and “EastEnders.” She keeps the story written by Alex MacKeith (“Exit Eve,” 2019) focused, neat and tight, although the brisk conclusion could be better. The final moments feel rushed.

Still, numerous tension-filled scenes connect because of richly developed characters portrayed by a talented cast.

Grade: B (A worthy lesson.)

“Every Body”

(Documentary: 1 hour, 32 minutes)

Starring: Sean Saifa Wall, Alicia Roth Weigel and River Gallo

Director: Julie Cohen

Rated: R (Strong language and graphic nude images)

Movie Review: “Every Body” impresses with its candidness. It expresses the point that not all bodies are the same.

One such form is an intersex body. Intersex are people born with both male and female anatomical and/or chromosomal variations.

This documentary focuses primarily on Sean Saifa Wall, Alicia Roth Weigel and River Gallo but it does showcase several other intersex individuals. One sees how they, their families and their doctors hid their true existences. These brave people dealt with shame, isolation and depression that sometimes cause tragic consequences.

Their stories are uplifting despite how they began. These people believe their “coming out” will let thousands of others know they are fine, too.

This documentary is one-sided as it does bring medical professionals on to talk about the issue from their perspective. Some scientific findings as part of this movie would propel it as an informative piece as much as it is a campaign to accept intersex individuals.

Julie Cohen and her team do a good job of keeping this movie intriguing throughout. Wall, Weigel and Gallo’s ability to affect their viewers is a nice addition to this documentary.

Together, everybody associated with “Every Body” provides a fascinating educational feature.

Grade: B (Everybody of appropriate age should go see “Every Body.”)

Adann-Kennn Alexxandar has been reviewing movies for more than 25 years for The Valdosta Daily Times.