Review of Sinister (2012) by Jake F — 30 Jan 2018

Good horror is a lot like hypnotism, if you don't trust it to lead you to where you want to go, then you are negating the whole reason you're watching it in the first place.

This film truly utilizes a "less is more" approach, and seeks to plant dreadful things in the audience's mind to dwell on after the film is over, rather than merely placate them with a bunch of cheap jump scares, pointless violence, and obligatory gore. It is a slow burner, requiring a little commitment on the part of the audience, that pays off in the end. If you're looking for a faster paced gut-wrencher, this film won't meet that demand. However, if you're looking for a macabre story to leave you feeling awful after an hour and change, this one might be worth a look.

Also, whether or not you enjoy this first film, DO NOT watch the sequel. Whatever good points this movie has are shot in its failure of a successor, starting at the ankles and working on up.