Rating of
3/4
It Leaves a (Sinister) Impression
Chris Kavan - wrote on 02/18/13
I consider myself a horror fan, and while I enjoy the whole blood and guys angle now and then, I much prefer the films that are more about atmosphere and digging down into the recesses of your mind rather than some guy in a mask killing indiscriminately. Sinister is one of those films that will get under your skin and linger - and while the payoff is not quite as good as the buildup, it's still one of the best horror films to come out in awhile.
We open on a shot of a family of four, captured on video, as they are hung from a tree. We then join true crime novelist Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) and his family as they move into a new house. It seems times aren't so good for Oswalt after his runaway first novel, Kentucky Blood, hit it big, he hasn't been able to write a worthy followup and now finds his home in danger so forclosure and seems to be hitting the bottle a lot more than the keyboard.
It's not wonder that his son is suffering from night terrors and his wife threatens to take away the kids if he keeps up his act. Of course, he fails to mention their new house isn't "a few houses down from the crime scene" but rather, the scene of the crime itself. The busted limb that caused the family to hang is still in the back yard. Despite a chilly reception, he's bound and determined to figure out why one girl in the family went missing while the other four suffered death.
And wouldn't you know it - he gets a present in the form of a mysterious black box with a bunch of Super 8 home movies (and the projector, of course). What are on these home movies? Well, they all start off with scenes of various family gatherings - a backyard cookout, enjoying the pool, camping - but they all end the same way - death. These videos are truly creepy - and the death scenes are highly inventive (and disturbing). I won't spoil them - as that would take the fun out of being creeped out by them, but needless to say, they will leave their mark.
Of course, finding a box of what amounts to snuff films would send most people contacting the authorities - but most people aren't desperate true crime novelists. With little to go on other than dates and gruesome deaths (and a mysterious symbol in a few) Oswalt begins to piece together the crimes. He finds that in each case one child went missing while the rest of the family died - he also catches a glimpse of a strange man. He enlists the help of a deputy and professor specializing in occult crimes and the deeper he gets, the more obvious it is that his family may be in danger. It leads to a conclusion that is a big unsatisfying compared to the buildup (and not entirely surprising) but isn't a complete disaster.
While the story is creepy, the real standout to the film is the soundtrack. From using children's voices to the use of silence (sometimes no sound is scarier than anything else) - the film is outstanding in creating the right atmosphere. The "jump scares" are present - but they are used sparingly and to great effect. Thunderstorms, wind, creaking floors - combined with the excellent music - this is exactly the type of film that's made to be watched late at night with the lights off.
While I would have liked a bit more development out of the characters, the cast worked well enough in their roles. Hawke did a good job of being a concerned father, scared out of his wits (though never afraid to wander around with just his smart phone for a light) and somewhat rambling drunk. The children, played by Michael Hall D'Addario and Clare Foley weren't given a lot of time, but you get enough personality to know that their lives aren't exactly "normal". James Ransone was a lot of fun as the deputy who comes off as a bit backwoods but is in reality pretty smart on the ball. Don't miss Vincent D'Onofrio in an uncredited role as the occult professor who provides the knowledge about who puts the sinister in Sinister (that would be a child soul-eating Pagan deity "Baghul").
What is the main lesson learned from Sinister? Don't chase after fame at the cost of your life (family life - or, in this case, your actual life). Also - if you find a creepy box of snuff movies in your attic - maybe it's best to turn them over to the authorities, post haste. And if you happen to be a true crime novelist (or a Stephen King wannabe) for the love of all that is good - keep your kids out of your workspace.
