In his feature debut, Exorcism of Emily Rose writer/director, Scott Derrickson managed to blend compelling character drama with the overly familiar “exorcism story” – delivering a smart and disturbing film experience. Now the director is back with an entirely original horror project, Sinister, as well as a chilling new horror “monster” – Mr. Boogie.
However, in a genre that is dominated by sequels, remakes, prequels, spinoffs and other franchise cash-ins, non-franchise films often resort to established sub-genres, such as found-footage or “torture porn,” to stand out from the crowd. As a result, it’s up to moviegoers, via word-of-mouth, to support filmmakers who are trying, and succeeding, in delivering fresh scares and engaging/frightening stories. Does Sinister offer a smart and scary experience that’s worthy of your box office dollars and personal endorsement?
Yes. While certain elements of the Sinister plot are predictable, Derrickson has once again delivered a horror film that is not only creepier than most of its contemporaries, it excels with relatable characters, and a smart premise – a premise that pays off in both the larger story mythology as well as moment to moment scares. Moviegoers hoping for a bloody splatter flick might be underwhelmed by Derrickson’s preference for tension over outright violence – considering he relies heavily on creepy night sequences, grainy video footage, and the unfolding mystery around Mr. Boogie. That said, for viewers who have grown tired of the countless stock horror offerings in the genre, Sinister should provide an especially engaging and refreshingly spooky movie experience.
Mr. Boogie and the ‘Sinister’ children
As mentioned, part of the appeal of Sinister is watching the mystery unfold – so, for anyone who is already committed to checking the film out, do yourself a favor and avoid the trailers and other potential story spoilers. However, for those who aren’t yet sold on the film, Sinister follows true life crime author Ellison Oswalt (played by Ethan Hawke) who moves his family, wife Tracy (Juliet Rylance), daughter Ashley (Clare Foley), and son Trevor (Michael Hall D’Addario), to a new town – so that he can write a book about a grisly family murder. The Oswalts take up residence in the deceased family’s house and Ellison begins his investigation, attempting to piece together the details of the crime, until one night he discovers a box of super 8 home videos in the attic. Though, as Ellison views the tapes over the course of several nights (each one more disturbing than the last), he begins to suspect that the murders he’s investigating are just one part in a much bigger, and more terrifying, story.
Derrickson helps ground the story’s narrative within Ellison, who routinely disregards the severity of his situation, and the safety of his family, in favor of chasing best-seller book fame. At times, the character falls into the usual horror genre tropes, investigating attic noises and dark corners of the backyard, all for the sake of spooking the audience instead of acting like a rational person. Ultimately, there’s a lot more to Ellison than his actions sometimes indicate and the personal story of a man who intentionally places his own self-interest over the people he loves adds engaging layers onto an already interesting horror set-up. Hawke offers a solid performance as Ellison – convincingly depicting the man’s unraveling charm, obsessiveness, and fear over the course of the film.
Sinister also incorporates a number of lengthy uninterrupted scenes between Hawke and Rylance that help ground the proceedings in character as well as scares – showcasing the effect that Ellison’s actions have on his personal relationships. In other horror films these moments would be melodramatic but in Sinister they’re handled with care, helping to escalate the effectiveness of the unraveling psychological horror, not just fill in space between scares. Similarly, Deputy So and So (played by James Ransone) is an equally compelling human addition and helps bring some levity to the proceedings while at the same assisting in the forward movement of the supernatural story.
Ethan Hawke as Ellison Oswalt in ‘Sinister’
The scares themselves, as well as the larger mystery, are primarily revealed through a combination of the escalating disturbances in the Oswalt house and the super 8 tapes (which each depict a different grisly murder). Many filmgoers have begun to tire of the found-footage gimmick, as Hollywood continues to pump out one ridiculous application of the format after another, but the Sinister ”found footage” rarely disappoints. Each film is compelling and unsettling – with plenty of variation and uniquely horrific imagery to keep viewers squirming in their seats. Similarly, unlike many horror contemporaries, each violent moment in Sinister serves a larger story purpose (not just violence for the sake of violence) – resulting some satisfying call backs at the conclusion of the film.
Not every element of Sinister is up to par and while the larger story and experience deliver, a number of individual moments borrow heavily from prior horror films and could be predictable to anyone who is paying close enough attention (or anyone has seen the film’s notable inspirations). In addition, Sinister joins the growing list of films that rely on creepy kids to do their frightening dirty work. The children admittedly deliver plenty of spooky on-screen drama but “spooky kid” moments don’t quite live up to the promise established in the larger premise.
Despite a refreshing set-up, Sinister does rely on a number of familiar horror beats and definitely takes advantage of the overused, albeit effective, “creepy children” trend in Hollywood. Nevertheless, like the 2007 indie horror film Paranormal Activity (which originally gained traction through festival screenings and word of mouth), Sinister‘s rich premise and creepy monster, Mr. Boogie, could easily spawn a string of high-profit franchise sequels. Only time will tell but, until then, Derrickson’s film succeeds in delivering an exceptionally engaging, and frightening, movie experience with quality characters, a smart story, and plenty of scares.
If you’re still on the fence about Sinister, check out the trailer below:
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Let us know what you thought of the film in the comment section below. If you’ve seen the movie and want to discuss details about the film without worrying about spoiling it for those who haven’t seen it, please head over to our Sinister Spoilers Discussion.
For an in-depth discussion of the film by the Screen Rant team check out the Sinister episode of the SR Underground podcast.
Follow me on Twitter @benkendrick for future reviews, as well as movie, TV, and gaming news.
Sinister is Rated R for disturbing violent images and some terror. Now playing in theaters.
Our Rating:
3.5 out of 5
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Use your 12 bucks to pay someone to jump out at you you’re walking through your dark home (for the 34th time). Awful movie.
Use your 12 bucks to pay someone to jump out at you you’re walking through your dark home…for the 34th time…yawn…Awful movie.
Why?
Because Chaning Tatum wasn’t in it?
I just returned from seeing this movie. My 2 cents.
(Spoilers Ahead)
Stuff I liked: 1. The “found footage” sequences were very creepy. That was probably the best thing about this movie. 2. The soundtrack was good, it suited the “found footage” well, as well as suiting the movie in general. 3. There were some solid jolts and a lot of tense moments. 4. Good acting all around.
Stuff I didn’t like: 1. Kids that look at you and go “shhhhh”. The whole creepy kid thing in general has run its course. It’s officially annoying, unless it’s done in a very fresh way (which it wasn’t here). 2. Ethan Hawke’s character was too foolish too often, and for someone supposedly interested in justice he acts pretty selfishly by destroying all the evidence to 4 mass murders. Why didn’t he at least hand over his files to the cops? 3. At the very end when his cop friend reveals to him that his family is next on the “kill list” he does almost nothing. He doesn’t even ask his cop friend for help. He just hangs up his phone and seems to resign himself (and his family) to a terrible fate. 4. The complicated explanations about the ancient cult or whatever were just silly. Why not just call Mr. Boogie a ghost or a demon and leave it at that?
All in all there were some scary moments, some creepy “found footage”, but in the end it was not a wholly satisfying movie going experience. 2.5 stars from me.
damn not scary but then again i love horrors
I think this movie was AMAZING . It was not boring at any parts!! I would totally see it again and it’s very scary! I suggest you see it , it’s worth it!!!!
This movie was amazing I dont normally get scared at horror movies but this one did it terrified me Mr boogie will haunt me for the rest of my life but apart from that I did enjoy it as it is the only movie to have scared me in all my life it was so realistic was just pure amazing and the music was fantastic it was worth watching it in the cinema!
This film is terrifying! The right amount of suspense and jolts waiting for the story to unravel. I agree with Ben that Ethan hawks character didn’t seem bothered that he n his family were going to die he just watched another piece of horrific film! However still the scariest film I’ve seen in a long time
Very nice review, Ben. I just finished watching its DVD and I found Mr. Boogie terrifying. You’re right. There may be some negative points in the film but it is absolutely fresh and offered something new to horror fans out there. Cheers!
What a load of crap. Pity they couldn’t afford decent lighting!
Wow :/ freaky! Loved it!!! Wish I’d went 2 c it in the cinema now coz I’m scared 2 go down my stairs now
lol Plus keep going into check on my 2kids Maybe I should have watched it during the day 
I watched this movie downstairs in my livingroom during the day but i am still scared to go up and down my stairs ! Anyways best movie ever 5 stars <3
This is the best horror film I have ever seen . It,s old fashioned like Insidious was , but so much more scary . The music really makes this film , suitably unnerving and builds the tension nicely ,. I would not recommend watching this if your easily scared , the atmosphere is quite unnerving .
Poor writing and directing. Extremely predictable and disappointing. There were a couple of clever “jolts” but this movie could have been SOOOO much better.
One of the scariest movies I’ve seen in a long time.
Sinister was one of the scariest films that was actually scary, unlike the Paranormal films, Devil, The Happening, the Haunting in Connecticut, and those cheap knock offs of the Exorcist. I suppose you think those movies were better?
You just wanna bust people’s chops. But then everyone IS entitled to their opinion regardless how worthless it may be.
Are you people crazy???
Sinister was actually scary, unlike some of the worthless crap that’s out there
You can come over and enjoy my super scary farts, since you’re frightened of utter crap that only adolescents enjoy
What are you cranium7? Two hundred?
Maybe your right, Sinister probably wasn’t as scary as the day they invented the train
You know what?
I gotta ask.
To those that hated the film,
name me one recent horror film that was better. And remakes like Evil Dead do not count.
There’s episodes of Care Bears that are scarier. Yoplait creates scarier products. The bike shop episode of Different Strokes was way scarier. Duck Tales is scarier.
[rec] & [rec]² were scarier. There’s a Spanish film called KIDNAPPED that was scarier. Orphanage was scarier. Mama was scarier. Strangers was scarier.
The fact that someone actually believes there’s nothing scarier than the elevator music equivalent of a horror film that is Sinister is scarier.
BTW, I’m only 156, respect.
Please! Orphanage was boring, Mama was stupid, and Strangers had no freaking plot. Try posting after you’ve had your medication
Careful…your ignorance is showing.
I’m obviously debating with a child, so I’m going to back out for about 15 years, until your worth bothering with.
BTW, when your IQ hits 80…SELL!
Ta Ta,… You’ll be missed
White Chicks was kind of creepy
Just read the plot to KIDNAPPED
Your scary smelly farts have a better story
Finally saw Sinister and loved it.
Wasn’t as scary as people say, but all in all, awesome movie!
I loved this film!
Even the music was creepy!
So many horror films have been disappointing but this one really delivers
cranium needs to be told the Sinister flick was originally a Spanish film. Then he’ll like it
You could tell me its the cure for AIDS and I still wouldn’t recommendit to anyone
What was so bad about Sinister? Okay, I admit that kid with the night terrors should have been edited out, but otherwise I thought it was good.
Sorry dude, I read about those movies you said were better,…..
I can’t speak for Mama, never saw it, but those other flicks blew chunks.
Great freaking movie
This is a great horror movie! It has a excellent use of audio and the photo and cutting is great. haven’t been that scared in a while. Watch it by your self in a dark room with 5.1 surround sound and you will be scared. I loved it, but i pretty like every movie there is…
I fully agree. Especially about the audio.
The music played backwards was so disturbing.
So many horror films have been a letdown.
Remember High Tension, The Others, Strangers, Rest Stop or Hostel?
Sorry but I can’t be scared of a film that has no plot!
This movie kick a$$! Can’t wait for the sequel!!!!
This movie sucked! What th hell you all talking about????
And what the hell was the deal with the stupid backward showtunes?
What kind of moron takes his family to a house where a family was killed?
And then decides to still stay there after he’s seen ghosts?
The scariest thing about this movie was it was actually made!
You people are nuts! You wouldn’t know a good movie if someone beamed it off your stupid heads!
If there’s no thing I can’t stand, is people that have no idea what they’re talking about! Those murders happened years ago! And the family did everything to protect themselves! Try watching the movie when you’re not high, dummy!
I wish I was on drugs! Maybe this dumb movie might’ve made sense!
What’s so damn complicated?
He was a writer looking to make big bucks on his next novel! When he was confronted by ghosts he and family left the freaking house! He never felt the house was a threat to his family CAUSE THERE’S SUPPOSED TO BE NO SUCH THINGS AS GHOSTS!!!
Why not try something you and cranium can follow, like guy in the hat killed the other guy in the hat!
I enjoyed this movie. Check out my full review at http://misfitminded.blogspot.com/2013/04/sinister-review.html