Patrick Wilson is stepping behind the camera for the first time to direct the next “Insidious” sequel.

A fifth film in the supernatural horror franchise is currently in the works, though a release date has not been set. The story picks up a decade after the events of 2018’s “Insidious: The Last Key” and sees the Lamberts’ son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) heading to college. Scott Teems wrote the script based on a story by franchise co-creator Leigh Whannell. Wilson, who has starred in all four films in the series, will also appear in the upcoming installment.

“I’m honored and thrilled to be at the helm of the next ‘Insidious’ installment, which will provide an amazing chance to unpack everything the Lamberts went through a decade ago, as well as deal with the consequences of their choices,” Wilson said in a statement. “Directing the movie is both professionally and personally a full circle moment for me, and I am extremely grateful to be entrusted in continuing to tell this frightening and haunting story. Into the further we go…”

Patrick Wilson confirms that Insidious 5 is on track to begin shooting this year. The Insidious franchise is the second major horror franchise created by director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell, who previously collaborated on 2004's low-budget megahit Saw, which spawned a sprawling series that now includes nine feature films and two video games. Insidious, which came out in 2010 and featured a family being tormented by a demon from a sideways dimension known as The Further, was the pair's first collaboration with the horror-focused studio Blumhouse and became an instant success.

Insidious: Chapter 2 came out in 2013, following the continued terrorization of the same family, with Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne reprising their roles as the parents and Ty Simpkins and Andrew Astor returning as their young sons. 2015's prequel, Insidious: Chapter 3, explored the origin story of Lin Shaye's medium Elise, and its 2018 follow-up, Insidious: The Last Key, saw her timeline meet up with that of the original film, seemingly completing the loop. In October 2020, Blumhouse announced that the story would be continuing with Insidious 5, which would be directed by Wilson, also reprising his role along with Ty Simpkins.

In an interview with Screen Rant's Ash Crossan while promoting Moonfall (in theaters February 4), Wilson shared an update on Insidious 5 development. When asked if the horror sequel was moving forward, Wilson said, "Yeah, we are" and mentioned filming starts shooting in the spring. Wilson also shared his thoughts on Insidious 5 being his directorial debut:

It's something that I'm super passionate about, and there hasn't been a day since they pitched me the idea that I haven't been all in. It's been a lot of work by Scott Teems, the writer, and me. And Leigh Whannell has helped out obviously a ton, and of course Blumhouse is a great partner. I've done a bunch of stuff with them, so I couldn't be happier to have my first experience with a very helpful and comfortable group of people that, for some reason, trust me. So, we'll see.

Although Wilson's Josh Lambert has appeared in some form in every Insidious film (he appears at a younger age, played by Garrett Ryan, in Insidious 3 and has a brief cameo in Insidious 4), this will mark the first time that the character has led a film in the franchise since Insidious 2. It is currently unknown if any of the other key performers are returning, including Byrne, Astor, Shaye, or Whannell and Angus Sampson, who play Elise's assistants Specs and Tucker. Scott Teems, who wrote Blumhouse's upcoming Firestarter remake, is penning the screenplay from a story by Whannell, who wrote all 4 previous scripts and directed Insidious 3, so his pulled-back involvement may imply that the duo are not returning.

Insidious 5 comes after a slightly longer gap than any of the previous sequels, though it is still close enough to the most recent entry to feel like the series is still an organic whole. However, despite Wilson and Simpkins' involvement, fans will be nervous to approach the film if it doesn't feature Shaye, who has been the anchor of the entire franchise since her appearance in the first film. That performance was as instantly memorable as Zelda Rubinstein's appearance as Tangina in Poltergeist, so she quickly became synonymous with the franchise, her role increasing with each entry.

EXCLUSIVE: Screen Gems and Stage 6 Films are set to start production on Insidious 5, the latest installment in the hit horror series with Sinclair Daniel, Peter Dager, and Hiam Abbass joining returning cast members that include Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne and Ty Simpkins. Wilson will direct the film, marking his directorial debut.

Set ten years after the end of Insidious 2, Josh Lambert (Patrick Wilson) heads east to drop his son Dalton (Ty Simpkins) off at an idyllic, ivy-covered university. However, Dalton’s college dream becomes a nightmare when the repressed demons of his past suddenly return to haunt them both.

Scott Teems penned the script based on a story by franchise co-creator Leigh Whannell and Teems, and based on characters created by Whannell. Jason Blum is producing the film for Blumhouse, along with franchise creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell. Oren Peli is also producing. Steven Schneider, Ryan Turek and Brian Kavanaugh Jones are executive producing.

Sony Pictures’ Screen Gems and Stage 6 Films will release the film in cinemas on July 7, 2023.

The family’s darkest secrets will be unlocked. 🔑 Type in the chat to go further into The Further. Insidious: The Red Door trailer coming tomorrow. #InsidiousMovie

In Insidious: The Red Door, the horror franchise’s original cast returns for the final chapter of the Lambert family’s terrifying saga. To put their demons to rest once and for all, Josh (Patrick Wilson) and a college-aged Dalton (Ty Simpkins) must go deeper into The Further than ever before, facing their family’s dark past and a host of new and more horrifying terrors that lurk behind the red door.

The original cast from Insidious is back with Patrick Wilson (also making his directorial debut), Ty Simpkins, Rose Byrne, and Andrew Astor. Also starring Sinclair Daniel and Hiam Abbass. Produced by Jason Blum, Oren Peli, James Wan and Leigh Whannell. The screenplay is written by Scott Teems from a story by Leigh Whannell, based on characters created by Leigh Whannell.

Insidious: The Red Door Opens July 7th.

Directed by: Patrick Wilson

Screenplay by: Scott Teems

Story by: Leigh Whannell

Based on characters created by: Leigh Whannell

Produced by:
Jason Blum
Oren Peli
James Wan
Leigh Whannell

Executive Producers:
Steven Schneider
Charles Layton
Ryan Turek
Brian Kavanaugh Jones

Cast:
Ty Simpkins
Patrick Wilson
Hiam Abbass
Sinclair Daniel
Andrew Astor
and Rose Byrne