The guy sitting next to me covered his ears for literally the entire movie. I don't blame him, as there were a frustrating amount of obnoxious, tasteless jump scares.
But an equal amount of the scares were EXTREMELY effective, involving clearly thoughtful placement of disturbing imagery and refreshing patience. Patrick Wilson's extensive experience in horror films gave him insight on how to craft atmosphere. I just wish he would have done it more often.
The story does find good reasons to exist-to continue this long-delayed franchise. It explores themes of memory that feel like a natural continuation of the Lambert's story. And it culminates in an emotionally satisfying ending.
It's just that the script too often falls upon stilted, unnatural dialogue and is paced without a sense of progression, and it makes this movie a lot less effective and memorable than it could have been with the many good ideas on display.
