Watch Sinister

Sinister is a 2011 horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke as true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt. The film also features Juliet Rylance as his supportive and increasingly concerned wife Tracy, James Ransone as the friendly local sheriff's deputy, and Fred Dalton Thompson as the skeptical police chief. The film also boasts an eerie and unsettling soundtrack by composer Christopher Young.

The story centers around Oswalt's latest book project, which he thinks will be his big break. He moves his family to a new home in a small town in order to research and write about a series of unsolved murders. As Ellison dives deeper into the case, he uncovers a box of old home movies that suggest that the murders may be linked to an ancient pagan deity named Bughuul. As he delves deeper and deeper into the mystery, his mental state begins to deteriorate, and he becomes increasingly desperate to solve the case and protect his family.

The film is shot in a distinctive style, with bold, vivid colors and lots of wide-angle shots that give the viewer an immersive, almost voyeuristic experience. The use of darkness and shadows is particularly effective, helping to create a sense of dread and increasing tension as the film progresses.

One of the most striking things about the film is its use of the found-footage genre. The old home movies are a constant presence throughout the film, and they provide some of its most disturbing and unsettling imagery. Derrickson does a great job of slowly building the tension and suspense as the viewer comes to realize the true horror of what is happening on screen.

Hawke is terrific in the lead role, delivering a nuanced and complex performance as Ellison, who is both driven and haunted by his obsession with the case. He is expertly supported by Rylance, who brings a subtle sense of dread and unease to Tracy, who gradually begins to realize the full extent of what's happening.

The film also features several strong supporting performances, particularly from Ransone as the scene-stealing deputy who provides some much-needed comic relief, and Bernier as the eerily enigmatic Professor Jonas, a local expert on pagan mythology who may hold the key to solving the case.

Overall, Sinister is an incredibly effective horror film that will leave viewers both scared and deeply unsettled. It features strong performances, a great soundtrack, and expertly crafted visuals that perfectly capture the mood and atmosphere of this chilling and haunting tale. Highly recommended for fans of the horror genre.

Sinister is a 2011 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 2.1.