Though made on a relatively modest budget, the first Insidious raked in enough horror-loving dollars to merit a sequel. Said sequel went on to make almost double the box office of the first, firmly placing Insidious in franchise territory. For its next outing, the series ditches its original stars (Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne) for a prequel following psychic Elise, a fan favorite supporting player. Elise must travel into The Further (the supernatural world of the dead) for the first time in order to save a teenager’s life, while also battling demons of her own. Insidious: Chapter 3 opens nationwide on June 5, but The A.V. Club and Focus Features have an opportunity for you to catch a free, early screening of it on June 3. For your chance to win a pair of passes to the advance screening, simply follow the link here and enter your information. Remember: Seats are first come, first served, so be sure to arrive early. An official plot synopsis and trailer can be found below.
“The darkest Insidious chapter plunges audiences back into the otherworldly realm The Further, revealing how Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) first braved it in her fight to save a young woman from demonic possession. In the prequel, teenaged aspiring actress Quinn Brenner (Stefanie Scott) senses that her late mother is trying to contact her, and seeks out a gifted psychic – Elise. Elise feels protective of sensitive Quinn, but tragedy in her past has left her reluctant to use her abilities. Soon a shocking accident leaves Quinn recuperating at home, as her widowed father Sean (Dermot Mulroney) struggles to hold his family together. Then Quinn is attacked in her bedroom by a malevolent supernatural entity, and Sean pleads with Elise to help. Wrestling with her faith and sense of purpose, Elise summons her powers to contact the dead – with support from two new acquaintances, unlicensed parapsychologists Tucker (Angus Sampson) and Specs (Leigh Whannell). Forced to venture deep into The Further to protect Quinn, Elise soon finds herself facing off against the most ruthless enemy she has ever encountered: a demon with an insatiable craving for human souls.”