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Insidious 6 was made because the franchise's psychic wouldn't let Sony cancel it

Lin Shaye, who has played Insidious's Elise Rainer since the first film, took immediate action after learning Sony had planned to pull Insidious: Out of the Further

News by Grant DeArmitt, Staff Writer

Published on Fri Aug 28 2026

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As horror fans worldwide already know, there is no Insidious without Lin Shaye. The veteran actor and scream queen, whose 50+ years in Hollywood have seen her be a part of franchises such as A Nightmare on Elm Street and Ouija, has played series protagonist Elise Rainer ever since the first film came out in 2010. But the franchise's most recent installment - Insidious: Out of the Further - might owe even more to the terror titan.

Because when she heard that Sony was pulling the film, she thought to herself, in her words, "Fuck this."

The story comes out of a Variety article detailing the almost-aborted plans for what is now the sixth entry into the Insidious saga. To paraphrase, Sony made behind-the-scenes changes to their release schedule as Out of the Further was being produced, attempting to pull the film entirely. That's when Shaye took action.

Penning a letter to Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group chairman and CEO Tom Rothman himself, Shaye made a passionate argument for moving forward with the film - on behalf of the fanbase, she said - and got a response that we don't see too often in Hollywood these days: a movie exec was willing to make a change.

"It gives me chills," Shaye said, speaking to Variety, "Because I don’t consider myself a mover and a shaker, [...] it’s not like I single-handedly got this movie made, but I spoke up. I think speaking up must never, ever stop. Don’t ever stop."

Now, not only is Insidious: Out of the Further made and in theaters (temporarily outperforming Spider-Man: Brand New Day as it arrived), but Shaye said that sticking up for the film has brought her a landslide of positivity.

"I’m going to live until I’m 250," said the actor. "Because I’m taking all this gorgeous energy that’s being delivered to me in such a graceful way. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been."

Hell yeah, Lin. 250 isn't half enough.

Insidious: Out of the Further is in theaters now.

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Grant DeArmitt: Grant DeArmitt (he/him) likes horror, comics, and the unholy union of the two. In the past, and despite their better judgment, he has written for Nightmare on Film Street and Newsarama. He lives in Brooklyn with his partner, Kingsley, and corgi, Legs.