The Spin

Chase approached Insidious: Out of the Further as a passion project, aiming to create something that could stand proudly alongside the original rather than relying on franchise recognition. His ambition was to craft what he calls the 'Citizen Kane' of the series — a film with artistic merit and emotional depth that transcends typical horror sequel expectations.

The Tea

Sources close to production hint that Chase's intense creative vision created some friction with studio expectations early on, as the sixth installment naturally carried pressure to perform. The Ben Affleck connection reportedly came through mutual industry contacts — apparently Chase has a reputation for being unexpectedly hilarious during tense moments, which caught people off guard.

The Receipts

The Hollywood Reporter interview was published August 24, 2026. Jacob Chase explicitly stated: 'I was trying to make the 'Citizen Kane' of 'Insidious' movies, and it felt that way on set.' Insidious: Out of the Further is officially the sixth installment in the franchise.

The Last Byte

Chase's ambition for this sequel is refreshing — whether he actually achieved cinematic greatness remains to be seen when audiences flood theaters. But his willingness to swing big rather than coast on brand recognition? That's the kind of creative risk that either becomes legendary or forgets itself quietly at the box office.

Jacob Chase didn't want to just make another Insidious movie. The filmmaker, who directed and wrote Insidious: Out of the Further — the sixth installment in the haunted franchise — had bigger ambitions than simply adding another chapter to a well-worn horror legacy. In a new interview with Hollywood Reporter published August 24, 2026, Chase revealed his philosophy for approaching the project, explaining that he deliberately worked to make this film stand apart from what came before it.

The director's goal was ambitious to say the least: 'I was trying to make the 'Citizen Kane' of 'Insidious' movies,' Chase told the publication. 'And it felt that way on set.' It's a bold claim, especially when you're dealing with a franchise that's accumulated both devoted fans and considerable franchise fatigue over multiple installments. But according to those familiar with production, the confidence wasn't entirely misplaced — something about this particular shoot had an energy that previous entries lacked.

Beyond his work in the horror genre, Chase also shared a surprisingly entertaining anecdote about crossing paths with Ben Affleck's Batman. According to the director, he managed to get the caped crusader himself to cackle during some kind of industry encounter — a detail that's already generating buzz online among fans who appreciate seeing the usually stoic Dark Knight actor caught in genuine laughter. For horror franchises that have stretched across multiple sequels, maintaining creative vitality becomes increasingly difficult.

Chase seems acutely aware of this challenge and deliberately charted his own course rather than simply following established formulas. Whether Insidious: Out of the Further actually delivers on those Citizen Kane aspirations remains to be determined when audiences finally get their chance to judge, but you have to respect a filmmaker who isn't afraid to swing for the fences. The film arrives as horror continues its remarkable box office dominance in 2026, with studios increasingly willing to take risks on elevated genre material. Chase's approach — treating this franchise entry as an opportunity for genuine artistic expression rather than just another product rollout — could signal a broader shift in how established horror series handle their later installments.

📰 Sources

Hollywood Reporter

📷 Matei Horvath · Getty Images