Sinister – Creepy…yes, groundbreaking….not quite

Sinister.

A true-crime writer finds a cache of 8mm home movies films that suggest the murder he is currently researching is the work of a serial killer whose career dates back to the 1960s.
Release date: March 11, 2012 (initial release)
Director: Scott Derrickson
DVD release date: February 19, 2013
Running time: 110 minutes
Screenplay: Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill
Stars:Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, James Ransone

Sinister tells the tale of a true crime writer, Ellison Oswalth (Ethan Hawke), researching a series of seemingly unrelated serial murders that have spanned decades. Of course he moves into the house where one of the murders took place. Of course. What better way to get “into” a story than by secretly moving your entire family into a house where a family of four was murdered; strung up and hung from the old tree in the backyard.

Sinister. Family.

Personally I think your asking for trouble anytime you move into a “Murder” house, but hey what do I know. It turns out that a box of old 8mm films is discovered in the attic of the house, each can of film a different murder in a different location; what a wonderful stroke of luck, a struggling true crime writer finding such a cache of material.

What a great find.

Nothing says creepy more than grainy old 8mm; honestly, you could show me an old video of your kids T-Ball game and I would find it creepy. Kids birthday parties filmed on 8mm, forget it. Something about 8mm film sends chills up my spine. So when horrific acts of violence and brutality are viewed via 8mm film, it screams creep-fest! As an added bonus, a strange figure is seen in every old grainy film; observing the murders. Strange as in, scary as all shit.

Wait….no mouth?

Another thing that I always find very unsettling in films, creepy kids. Kids acting in strange ways, talking to imaginary people, drawing scary symbols and picture. Kids in general scare the shit out of me. Hell my own kids scare the shit out of me. Sinister is no exception in the creepy kids acting in creepy ways department. It turns out that Ellison (Ethan) and Tracy(Juliet Rylance) Oswalt’s son Trevor (Michael Hall D’Addario) suffers from night terrors. While this doesn’t play a major factor in the film, it does give the director an excuse to add in a couple of tense scenes. Take this one for example.

Why did I wake up in a box…..

Without giving a pile of spoilers away, I will say that Sinister goes down a somewhat familiar path (if you are a jaded horror freak such as myself) as Ellison delves deep into the 8mm films and discovers the origins of the murders. That being said, Sinister does deliver some genuine scares and develops a somewhat dark and tense atmosphere. The 8mm murder scenes were well done and chilling, the centerpiece of the film. Here, check out another shot of the creepy kids.

Quiet the movie is starting…..

Sinister is a creepy film for sure (have I used the word creepy yet?). I like Ethan Hawke, and he did a great job (as usual). The creepy kids, did a great job being creepy kids. The shady character appearing in the 8mm films, did a great job aswell. Shady, for sure. Overall everything about Sinister was solid, nothing truly groundbreaking or cutting edge; but solid and creepy nonetheless. It was an enjoyable watch…..they should have shot the entire film in 8mm….Watch it. Check out this creepy kid.

Quiet it’s bedtime.