Review of Sinister 2 (2015) by Dan H — 25 Aug 2016

More of a dark drama than an actual horror film, though I will say the last act is intense. In this continuation, Deputy So-and-So (James Ransone) is still deeply haunted by his inability to save the Oswalts.

In a desperate attempt to end Baghuul's reign of terror, he has burned down all the Baghuul murder houses. His quest to the last murder house on his list leads him to stumble upon a family hiding from a sadistic, controlling and abusive patriarch (Leo Coco).

Courtney (Shannyn Sossamon), and her twin sons Zach (Dartanian Sloan) and Dylan (Robert Daniel Sloan) have taken refuge in the last murder house, and much to Deputy So-and So's dismay, Baghuul has already touched both of the boys (no, not in that way.

...get your mind out of the gutter). It's just a matter of time until one of them commits the latest horrific act in Baghuul's ever expanding list. Can So-and-So protect them and himself? Unfortunately, not much really happens in this film.

Most of the run time focuses on So-and-So bumbling around while he investigates, we delve into the horrific history of this broken and bruised family, and we watch Baghuul's attempts to initiate Dylan into his little murder club (mainly by giving him some horrific nightmares, and forcing him to watch reel after reel of Super 8 murders, most of which pale in comparison to the ones witnessed in the first Sinister.

I will say the last tape is pretty effective though). Sinister 2 just isn't all that scary, though a definite dreary and hopeless atmosphere and mood is established here. James Ransone is very likable as the still goofy ex-deputy, both twins do fine jobs, and the various ghost kids are neither creepy, threatening, nor scary.

Possibly the actor who leaves the strongest impression is Leo Coco as Clint, the absolutely terrifying, intimidating and sadistic patriarch who is on the hunt for his ex-wife and kids, he's certainly WAY scarier than Baghuul is in this film (It's also worth noting that there isn't really any main character here).

Sinister 2 accomplishes one thing most other horror sequels normally fail to do: It definitely feels like a natural, organic continuation of the first film, just don't expect a scary film or a horror film.

This is a decidedly different take on the horror sequel, and it does what it sets out to do fairly well. It's not all that impressive of a sequel, but I'll say I enjoyed my time with it, although it's infernally annoying final shot left a bad taste in my mouth.