Emmy winner LinShaye (“EastSiders”) chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about returning as Elise in “Insidious 6.”
Few actors have become as synonymous with modern supernatural horror as LinShaye. Over the course of the Insidious franchise, Shaye has transformed the gifted psychic Elise Rainier into one of the genre’s most beloved characters, earning the admiration of horror fans around the world.
16 years after audiences first ventured into The Further, Shaye continues to embrace the role with the same passion and enthusiasm that helped define the series from the very beginning.
Reflecting on the franchise’s remarkable longevity, Shaye admitted that none of the filmmakers expected Insidious to become the enduring success it has become.
“It’s crazy,” she recalled with a laugh. “We started doing these movies back in 2010, and I remember James Wan saying, ‘Do you think anybody’s going to want to watch this movie?’ Leigh Whannell joked, ‘Do you think there’ll be any more after this? Maybe we shouldn’t kill you.'”
Her response, she remembered, was fittingly optimistic. “My answer was, ‘Well, it’s a ghost story, so you don’t have to worry about it.'”
More than a decade later, the franchise continues to resonate with audiences.
“And here we are, 16 years later,” she said. “We’re still making these films, and audiences are still enjoying them. That’s a huge deal for me. It truly changed my life.”
One of the reasons Elise has remained such a compelling figure is that Shaye has always viewed her as far more than a traditional paranormal investigator. Rather than portraying her as flawless, she has worked to make the character deeply human.
“It’s easy to think of Elise as a goody-goody, but she’s not,” Shaye explained. “She’s tough, fair, sometimes erratic—she’s human. That was always very important to me.”
She reflected on the character’s evolution throughout the series, noting how each chapter has expanded Elise’s mythology while allowing the audience to discover new dimensions of her personality.
“When we first created the character, we knew she would eventually become this leading figure in The Further,” she said. “Watching her evolve over the years has been fascinating because it almost feels separate from me. Each story adds another layer.”
The newest installment also marked a creative transition behind the camera. While Leigh Whannell established much of the franchise’s mythology, Shaye praised director and writer Jacob Chase for honoring that foundation while confidently introducing new ideas.
“He had to work within an established mythology while bringing in new characters and ideas, and I thought he did a wonderful job,” she said.
Even so, Shaye revealed that some of her favorite Elise moments never made the final cut. Those scenes, she explained, highlighted the character’s imperfections and struggles.
“I wish audiences could have seen a few scenes that didn’t make the final cut,” she admitted. “They showed Elise making mistakes and struggling. She’s not perfect, and I think that’s important. You don’t have to have all the answers to be a hero. We all have flaws, and we can still be brave.”
Although audiences will see Elise confidently navigating terrifying supernatural encounters, bringing those moments to life proved more challenging than viewers might expect.
Filming in Australia required Shaye to spend several weeks waiting before her major scenes were scheduled, creating an unusual rhythm that tested her ability to stay emotionally connected to the character.
“It taught me quite a bit,” she said when asked what she learned from the experience.
While she enjoyed exploring Australia with her manager, Gina, the lengthy gaps between filming days created unexpected challenges.
“I worked one day and then had a couple of weeks off before my next scenes,” she recalled. “That was challenging because it was difficult to stay connected to the character.”
When production resumed, the emotional demands intensified.
“When I finally returned to set, some of the scenes were emotionally demanding, and I worked very hard on them,” she said. “I hope audiences get everything they need from Elise, and I hope Jacob, James Wan, Leigh Whannell, and everyone involved are happy with what we created.”
Not all of the challenges involved supernatural forces. Some were surprisingly ordinary.
Because the film takes place immediately after Insidious: Chapter 3, continuity required Shaye to wear Elise’s exact costume from that film, something she admitted became increasingly difficult.
“By the end of filming, I was ready to burn the whole costume,” she jokingly laughed.
Even Elise’s simple black shoes became an unexpected obstacle.
“They didn’t feel stable,” she explained. “Elise is a grounded, confident character who moves with authority, and I didn’t feel that stability while wearing them.”
She laughed while recalling one particular hallway sequence where the shoes made it difficult to capture the confidence she envisioned for Elise.
“There’s a scene where I’m walking down a long hallway toward a door, and I kept wobbling,” she said. “It frustrated me because I wanted Elise to feel completely in control.”
Fortunately, Shaye praised Jacob Chase for fostering an environment where actors always felt supported.
“He never made anyone feel embarrassed or pressured,” she said. “If an actor was struggling, whether physically or emotionally, he was there to help solve the problem. He was collaborative, thoughtful, and supportive. I truly hope I get to work with him again.”
That spirit of collaboration extended across the entire production.
“It was one of the most supportive ensembles I’ve ever worked with,” Shaye said. “Everyone respected one another. Nobody judged anyone else, and everyone genuinely wanted the best for the film.”
Rather than competition, she found camaraderie. “Without sounding sentimental, it really was a loving group of actors,” she said. “We collaborated, laughed together, worked through problems together, and genuinely enjoyed the creative process. I was very proud of what we all accomplished.”
For Shaye, the greatest reward remains the connection audiences have formed with Elise over the years. While she certainly hopes fans enjoy the latest chapter, she also hopes the journey into The Further is far from over.
“I hope they have fun,” she said. “More than anything, I hope they love it enough to want another one.”
She believes there is still limitless storytelling potential within the franchise.
“There are still so many stories to tell in The Further,” she said. “I even have a few ideas myself that I’d love to develop—stories exploring more of Elise’s journey there, the demons, the mysteries, and the world itself.”
Despite Elise’s popularity, Shaye insists that her focus has never been on personal recognition.
“I don’t care about being the star,” she said. “I care about telling good stories.”
Seeing fans embrace Elise on such a personal level remains one of the most meaningful aspects of her career.
“People stop me every day because they feel they know her,” she said. “That makes me incredibly happy because it means she’s connected with people emotionally.”
She believes Elise’s lasting appeal comes from her balance of vulnerability and courage.
“I think Elise represents something many people feel but don’t always show their vulnerability alongside their strength,” she reflected. “If audiences leave the theater entertained, connected to the new characters, and wanting another adventure, then we’ve done our job.”
Looking back on the franchise’s evolution, Shaye recently revisited the earlier films and found herself appreciating just how much the series has grown.
“Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne were absolutely phenomenal in those early movies,” she said. “Patrick is one of the scariest actors I’ve ever watched, and one of the handsomest.”
Above all, she remains grateful that Elise has continued to serve as the emotional anchor of the franchise.
Beyond Insidious, Shaye also spoke enthusiastically about her recent work on House of Abraham, describing it as a deeply meaningful creative experience.
“It was wonderful,” she said. “Lukas Hassel is a terrific collaborator, and director Lisa Belcher was fantastic to work with.”
Throughout her decades-long career, she credits her collaborators for continually inspiring her.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate throughout my career to work with people who are creative, collaborative, meticulous, and genuinely passionate about storytelling,” she said.
Just as importantly, they share something else.
“One thing they all have in common is a great sense of humor,” she said. “I think that’s essential to making good art. You have to be willing to laugh at yourself, make mistakes, and keep creating.”
While House of Abraham differs dramatically from Insidious, Shaye believes it explores equally profound emotional territory.
“It explores suicide in a thoughtful and deeply human way, something we rarely see in cinema,” she said. “It asks big questions about life, purpose, and what people are searching for.”
For Shaye, whether she’s confronting demons in The Further or exploring humanity’s deepest questions through independent cinema, the goal remains the same: telling stories that leave audiences feeling something long after the credits roll.
Judging by the enduring affection fans continue to show Elise Rainier, that mission is one she has accomplished time and again.
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