Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) is a true crime author who is attempting to find his next bestseller by moving his family into a house where a grisly murder occurred.
In his attic he comes across a box containing a film projector and a stack of super 8 movies that depict a series of horrific murders. Analyzing these films, Oswalt begins to piece together the mystery of the murders and discovers their supernatural secret.
We say, “Mr. Boogie is watching you.”
TAYLOR: I liked this film. It had real scares, not just shocks where something jumps out and says “Boo!” There was a creepiness and a modus operandi that led to an audience expectation. That expectation is of an imminent witnessing of more terrible deeds played out upon poor Mr. Oswalt and his family.
HOWE: To me it wasn’t overly scary, which is a shame because the concept of the movie is intriguing. I just wish they would try and make mystery/horror movies creepier. The suspense is always there because of the scary music playing in the background, with some guy walking around in the dark or waiting for something to jump out.
TAYLOR: The formula of Sinister works to produce fear. Through viewing the super 8 films, the audience not only becomes privy to their ugliness but also comes to expect more of the same. Plus, with Oswalt being continuously haunted by Mr. Boogie’s shenanigans, his deterioration becomes palpable. Once he starts losing his marbles, the pace becomes a bit more frantic and this turned up the chills. I also thought the sound design of the film was brilliant. Sinister would still be scary with your eyes closed.
HOWE: Hawke’s performance was one of his better ones, I will agree with you on that. But Mr. Boogie was the real star of the show. He delivered his lines perfectly and his makeup was flawless. He looked like he had just come from a Kiss concert. We haven’t seen such a good looking character like him since Jigsaw from Saw.
TAYLOR: Mr. Boogie was scary, merely by existing, turning his head, looking at you. But I think the kids were the scariest. Anytime you have innocent looking little kids acting weird and spooky, it works for me. The child actors in this movie did well. I also enjoyed the cheap Skype cameo by Vincent D’Onofrio as the professor who helps Oswalt solve the mystery of what is happening.
HOWE: I enjoyed more of the mystery aspect rather than the scare factor in this. The unravel of the crimes, as Oswalt gets closer to understanding the truth of what really happened to the former families and what the connection is between all of them.
TAYLOR: That’s because you’re like Fred from Scooby Doo! You just need an ascot.
HOWE: I did enjoy Sinister. It’s probably the creepiest, scariest movie so far this year. If you need your Halloween fright fix early go see it.
–– Taylor gives Sinister 3.5 lawn mowers out 5.
–– Howe gives its 3 unicorns out of 5.
The film is currently showing at the Galaxy Cinemas in Vernon.
–– Brian Taylor and Peter Howe are film critics living in Vernon, B.C.
