Review of Sinister (2012) by Alejandro C — 30 Aug 2013

I hardly ever get frightened from a horror movie, I can only recall being frightened by the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and this is mostly due to the atmosphere of the movie and the sound effects, coupled with all the screaming. While watching Sinister this same feeling came back to me. What I found really terrifying were mostly the sound effects, especially the ones playing during the "snuff" scenes. Another terrifying thing were the snuff scenes themselves, no they aren't gory or anything, but the fact that they seem as something that is plausible in the real world, that could really exist, also that they are silent, so when we see someone talking we cannot hear them.

Now, this was effective for most of the movie, until the story went to being a supernatural horror. I feel as though the movie would be even scarier without the supernatural element, because it would feel real, as if it could happen in the real world. And by removing the supernatural elements I don't mean removing the "Mr. Boogie" from the movie, actually the shots in the videos where he appears only made the movie creepier. However, they could have made him some serial killer's accomplice, or a member of some cult during initiation, anything that could be real. Or they could have left it at the main character having a nervous breakdown.

All in all, I enjoyed the movie because it made me feel something I hardly ever feel while watching horror movies, but I think that the story would be more effective without the supernatural elements.