Sinister
Sinister

Movie spotlight

Sinister

2012
Movie
110 min
English

True-crime writer Ellison Oswalt is in a slump; he hasn't had a best seller in more than 10 years and is becoming increasingly desperate for a hit. So, when he discovers the existence of a snuff film showing the deaths of a family, he vows to solve the mystery. He moves his own family into the victims' home and gets to work. However, when old film footage and other clues hint at the presence of a supernatural force, Ellison learns that living in the house may be fatal.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes62%
Metacritic53/100
Google Users67%
Director: Scott DerricksonGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A true-crime writer, Ellison Oswalt, moves his family into a new home, unaware that a gruesome murder once took place there. While exploring the attic, he discovers a box of disturbing home movies and a supernatural entity that begins to haunt him and his family. As he delves deeper into the mystery of the recordings, he uncovers a horrifying truth connecting them to past tragedies.

Critical Reception

Sinister received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric tension, effective jump scares, and Ethan Hawke's performance. However, some critics found the plot predictable and the supernatural elements derivative of other horror films. Audiences generally responded well to its scares and suspense.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its effective scares and unsettling atmosphere.

  • Ethan Hawke's performance was highlighted as a strong point.

  • Some found the plot to be a bit predictable, with familiar horror tropes.

Google audience: Audiences found 'Sinister' to be a genuinely scary and suspenseful horror film, appreciating its dark tone and frightening imagery. While some felt the storyline followed common horror conventions, the overall sentiment was positive, with many recommending it for its effective scares.

Fun Fact

The film's score heavily features ambient and noise music, designed by the band The Caretaker (James Leyland Kirby), to create a deeply unsettling atmosphere.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Gimly

Gimly

Hits an absurdly high number of horror clichés, but manages to do it in a pretty successful manner. Features many more laugh out moments than you might expect from a horror of this type. Not sure if that's a pro or a con. _Final rating:★...

John Chard

John Chard

Bughuul the Bastard! After moving himself and his family into a new house that was the scene of a horrendous crime, true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) finds a box of 8mm "snuff" films that suggest the murder he is currently r...

SheBlogger

SheBlogger

Sinister (A Horror Movie): From a Commoner’s View NO SPOILERS – SheBlogger hates spoilers :) Okay…so here’s another horror movie review from the girl who is yet to be scared with scenes shot in the dark, gory murders and startlin...

Video Reviews

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