Back in 2021, the theatrically demonic and hella poppy Swedish hard rock band Ghost contributed their song “Hunter’s Moon” to the finale of Halloween Kills. This year they’re soundtracking the end of another horror movie, now with assistance from that movie’s director.

Patrick Wilson, who starred in 2010’s original Insidious and its sequel Insidious: Chapter 2, is making his directorial debut with the fifth installment in the franchise, Insidious: The Red Door. In his role as director, one priority was to incorporate the music of Ghost, one of his favorite bands. Wilson saw Ghost in concert twice last year, and somewhere along the way he struck up a dialogue with the band’s Tobias Forge about having Ghost involved in the film. When he heard “Spillways,” Ghost’s collaboration with Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott from early this year, Wilson — a Tony-nominated singer — inquired about a duet.

As it happened, Forge was already working on a cover of “Stay,” a single from the goth-pop Bananarama offshoot Shakespears Sister (annoyingly, there is no apostrophe in their name) that went #1 in Ghost’s native Sweden back in 1992.

A statement from Wilson:

It was Joe Bishara, our Insidious composer and resident Lipstick Demon who first got me into Ghost about 10 years ago. Joe knew I liked metal… but he also knew I liked melody. What can I say? I’m a child of the ’80s… when soaring voices and blazing guitars were played at every dance, every fast food parking lot, and every day in my house. Ghost had the right blend of metal, melody, and an unforgettable image. This coming from a guy who collected Kiss cards in the ’70s… so I know good rock branding and imagery when I see it!

Ghost, for me, is one of the most unique rock bands out there. Tobias’ sense of melody is only matched by his storytelling. The blistering imagery of him and the band is unlike any other. The balance of dark lyrics with soaring (and dare I say… angelic) melodies, make listening to them a different experience than any other band out there. At least that’s what it does for me.

So clearly, when I wanted a band that embodied the spirit of Insidious lore, I knew where to look first. “Stay” is such a hauntingly beautiful tune to end my film with, because the dark lyrics juxtaposed against the sweeping melody (written by Dave Stewart) are a great bookend to my film. Singing on it, alongside Tobias, was an absolute thrill. I wanted the tune to feel like it was Josh Lambert (my character) singing… and then being tempted by the devil (the lipstick demon)… in this case, sung by the brilliant Tobias Forge. Tobias’ tone is a sharp contrast to mine, and his new arrangement of the song is faithful yet fresh. It was an honor to be featured on the tune, and I can’t thank Tobias and the Ghost crew, especially Tim Bickford and Kristen Mulderig, for making this happen.

Ghost is the perfect blend of theatricality met with musical mastery. Tobias is at the top of his game and I’m thrilled to have him on the soundtrack, and honored to sing alongside him.

Listen below.

Insidious: The Red Door is in theaters today.