Disturbing and Creepy as Hell

Rating: 8/10 (29 May 2015)

You can nitpick the horror movie genre to death, since basically everything that could be done has been done. So, I don't know why some bother. Yet, with every horror release we see hundreds of so-called horror fans that do just that. It makes you wonder if they're really fans of the genre at all. To me, it's simple. It has to be scary. If it does that, it did it's job. And with 'Sinister', you get that. It delivers big time.
There's a few things that made Sinister so disturbing to me. First of all, the musical score is brilliant. It may be the creepiest background music I've ever heard. The entire movie has this sense of dread and doom permeating through it. Secondly, the home movies/snuff films are brilliantly done as well, and are some of the most disturbing footage I've ever seen in a film. They are integral to the plot of the movie as they reveal hidden and subtle clues as to what is going on. Yet, they harbor a much more sinister agenda as well. Then there is Bughuul. You don't see much of him, nor do you know much about him, and that just adds to the creepiness when you do see him. And if you've bought into the movie like I did, I guarantee you'll love the ending. It's chilling and macabre. And without giving too much away, the good guys don't always win in the end. Which is unusual in films.
Now, I'm not saying the movie is perfect, because it's not. I didn't think there was much chemistry between the husband and wife. Also, there were some campy scenes centered around their son sleepwalking and having night tremors. You also have the town sheriff that doesn't want the family there. And then there's the young, bumbling deputy that's eager to help. You get the picture.
In the end though, despite it's flaws, this movie does what it's supposed to do. I recommend watching this movie at night with the lights out. And afterwards, don't be surprised if you leave an extra light or two on when you go to bed. Sweet dreams.