Sinister (2012)
October 24, 2022 7:14 AM - Subscribe
True-crime writer Ellison Oswald (Ethan Hawke) 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.
Also starring Vincent D'Onofrio, James Ransone, Fred Dalton Thompson, Clare Foley, Juliet Rylance, Tavis Smiley.
Directed by Scott Derrickson. Written by Scott Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill.
63% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Currently streaming in the US on Peacock. JustWatch listing.
Also starring Vincent D'Onofrio, James Ransone, Fred Dalton Thompson, Clare Foley, Juliet Rylance, Tavis Smiley.
Directed by Scott Derrickson. Written by Scott Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill.
63% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.
Currently streaming in the US on Peacock. JustWatch listing.
C. Robert Cargill (@Massawyrm) and Scott Derrickson (@scottderrickson) are both on Twitter and are both A+ humans from what I have seen.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:48 AM on October 24, 2022
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:48 AM on October 24, 2022
The first half of Sinister is a very effective and original horror but the film loses all credibility (and worse, becomes laughable) when the stupid looking demon thing is revealed to be the problem. It is a shame that the filmmakers didn't choose to leave things a bit more obscure.
posted by AndrewStephens at 10:16 PM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by AndrewStephens at 10:16 PM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Yeah, this one deflated impressively once the boogum actually starts showing up and the whole thing becomes laughable. However the one standout is the selections for the soundtrack, which collect a variety of dark ambient artists to fantastic effect - Ulver, Boards of Canada, Sunn O))) + Boris, etc... well okay BoC isn't trad dark ambient but they definitely use it to creepy advantage. Unfortunately the only 'soundtrack' you can easily find commercially is the composed score, which is serviceable but unmemorable; however you can find playlists of the actual soundtrack floating around.
posted by FatherDagon at 1:10 PM on October 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by FatherDagon at 1:10 PM on October 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
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posted by orrnyereg at 10:06 AM on October 24, 2022