Sinister

I was looking forward to another ghost horror movie modeled after Insidious but in the end, I was slightly disappointed. Basically, it’s not so much about the idea which is great, nor is it the filmmaking that’s obviously well-made. But it’s worse with its individual moments that didn’t make sense to me. The film just doesn’t explain some things to the viewer, so the film throws the viewers right into the center of the action and wants them to fight with it by themselves. Ethan Hawke moves into the house with his family and as it’s customary, finds old videotapes from the Super8 camera in the attic, which is the start of it all. The film doesn’t explain to us why they move into the new apartment or what he actually does for work. Even after the end of the film, I didn’t really understand what his character was actually doing. Did he write books based on real unresolved cases? It must be added that he did not write a single word for the entire film. Hard to say. However, the processing and the idea are good. There is nothing wrong with that. The rest is debatable. (26.10.2015)

A very traditional horror premise in a perfect package. Basically, it’s very similar to last year’s Insidious, but slower, quieter, more depressive and more unsettling. Whereas Insidious relies mostly on shocking jump-scares and a dreamy horror atmosphere in the climax, Sinister slowly and gradually reveals the mystery of several murdered families, makes clear that the horrible demon is very near, and makes the fear crawl under your skin. In short, it’s not a gratifying horror ride like last year’s gem by Wan, but it can arouse unpleasant feelings very successfully. Demons, so hot right now :) Certainly, one of the best horror movies of the year, and when it comes to pure genre, probably at the top. It’s (unfortunately) not very often that we get such pure movie terror. Thanks HCE for letting us enjoy it in Czech cinemas this time. (01.11.2012)

I was really looking forward to Sinister because my favorite reviewers usually give it 4 stars and add positive comments, where the word "atmosphere" is often mentioned. After watching it, I am mostly puzzled and have a mediocre impression of it. The only thing I can fully appreciate is the sound work. If I saw the movie in a decent mood at the movie theater, it is quite possible that I would lean towards giving it three stars. The rest is somewhat routine, predictable, and not innovative within the genre, although decently crafted. It did not impress me. It did not even come close to evoking the emotions that, let's say, watching The Ring once did. Simply put, a horror that does not evoke tension does not work as it should. Overall impression: 45%. (14.10.2018)

Derrickson's got it handled, no doubt about it. He just follows the routine template that doesn't offer a single surprise, and ultimately sells even the extended cut's point as expected from the first screening. That’s perhaps a bit of a shame, as Hawke's excellent performance, solid direction and Young's impressive soundtrack pull it high into the red otherwise. [Inside joke: Norwegian black metal and Pishin on the left did their thing in the movie theater. :)] (12.11.2012)

Super 8 in the role of a powerful cult artifact and a gateway between worlds, a stray member of the band MAYHEM in the role of Mr. Bubák... Although is once again a case of recycling all of the known ingredients, their connection is not at all a forgettable and stupid. The motif of a writer obsessed with his former fame, who sells his soul and betrays the principles (we all know what come next...), the motif of a film that "drinks life from creatures", a sound component oscillating between an industrial and a radio breakdown on a Turkish minaret... It's too bad that Derrickson has to put few cheap "now the whole movie theatre will scream" moments in there, and that he does not just work with the long nervous atmosphere that escalates so beautifully. The motif for serial murder, which allows the viewer to watch the film in a way other than as "pure sinister adrenaline", is not at all useless. At least the "mystery" (no matter how ridiculous) managed to hook me solidly. As I don't tend to like US horror movies in general, this one is pretty good. (04.02.2013)