Summary:
"Sinister" is a 2012 horror film that follows a true-crime writer, Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke), who discovers a box of snuff films in his new home depicting gruesome murders and strange supernatural elements. As Ellison investigates, he and his family become targets of the films' sinister entity, Bughuul, a Babylonian god who devours children. Despite its use of horror clichés, the film was praised for its terrifying atmosphere, effective scares, and the performance of Ethan Hawke.
Inspiration and Development:
The film was inspired by a nightmare the writer, C. Robert Cargill, had after watching "The Ring." Cargill and co-writer Scott Derrickson wanted to create a unique villain, a modern take on the Bogeyman, and settled on Bughuul, a pagan deity. They sought to downplay the entity's seductive nature and emphasize its manipulative powers.
Production and Style:
To enhance authenticity, Super 8 segments were shot using actual Super 8 cameras and film stock. The design of Bughuul, inspired by a photograph, aimed to evoke a sense of the uncanny and draw upon the aesthetics of black metal. The film's soundtrack incorporated ambient tracks from Norwegian black metal bands.
Critical Reception:
"Sinister" received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its acting, direction, cinematography, and atmosphere. However, some criticized its use of jump scares and other horror clichés. It was praised as one of the best horror films of 2012, despite its flaws.
Legacy:
"Sinister" has gained a reputation for being particularly frightening and is considered a cult classic. A 2020 study by Broadband Choices named it the scariest film ever made, based on analysis of viewer heart rates. Its representation of old and new media formats has also been examined in academic studies on transmediation. The film spawned a sequel, released in 2015.