Sinister (15)

Film

Ethan Hawke in Sinister

Time Out rating:

<strong>Rating: </strong>2/5

User ratings:

<strong>Rating: </strong>3/5
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Time Out says

Tue Oct 2 2012

This so-so, occasionally effective horror film combines found-footage creepiness and haunted-house scares – but is stronger on mood than story. A believable Ethan Hawke gives it some grounding as Ellison, a struggling true-crime writer who moves into a suburban house notorious for an unsolved mass slaying. He immediately discovers a stock of 8mm movies which offer a distressingly vivid insight into the crime. Not sharing the news with the wife and kids proves an unwise decision, however, when things start going bump in the roof space. Soon he’s weighing professional priorities against the mental welfare and physical safety of his family.

All of which proves engrossing enough. Hawke pieces together the grisly visual evidence, while astute direction and effectively nuanced cinematography draw out telling unease from mundane interior spaces. Still, over-reliance on loud noises and Christopher Young’s over-used, over-emphatic score prove counter-productive. Also, revealing the house’s darkest secrets plays havoc with credibility – not least in a loopy final section which exposes the flakiness of the film’s ideas.

Author: Trevor Johnston

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Release details

Rated:

15

UK release:

Fri Oct 5 2012

Duration:

110 mins

Cast and crew

Director:

Scott Derrickson

Screenwriter:

Scott Derrickson

Cast:

Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance James Ransone, Fred Dalton Thompson

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Comments & ratings

Rated as: 3/5 (13 ratings)

  • Shame I didn't have a cushion! I was surprised how spooked I was by this film and even more surprised by its '15' certificate. Yes I agree with some of the other reviewers the Supernatural twist did take away some of the suspense but overall I was suitably scared for my £7.50.

    Julie H Thu Nov 15 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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  • Above average horror. One or two good jumps but requires some serious suspension of disbelief

    critique Mon Oct 22 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • Some of it was OK but it totally lacked believability. The thought that so much was scarily going on when most of the cast was asleep was ridiculous and the ending was a real cop out. A pity because the idea was great

    mikey Fri Oct 19 2012
    Rated as: 2/5
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  • Agree with Jenni about being relieved about the way the story went. It sort of diffused the previous creepiness. I actually enjoyed a lot about this - the cinematography, the score (I actually thought this added to the tension), the acting. There were a couple of genuinely terrifying moments, but the review is right in saying that it gets 'loopy' - I'd say 'silly' - towards the end, and turns into a forgettable 'made-up' story. But it's always nice to watch Ethan Hawke!

    Silly Fri Oct 12 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • utter rubbish ,only thing that bothered me was i spent money to see this visual crap . dont waste your money or time

    roger rabbit Thu Oct 11 2012
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  • a total weird non story, non frightening so called horror, both myself and my partner were of the same opinion....instantly forgetable movie....time out 2 stars rating was very kind.

    eric Wed Oct 10 2012
    Rated as: 1/5
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  • Scary film? horror of the year? ive been more scared of scream than sinister, if anything it made me laugh. Story line was good at times other than that i seriously wouldnt recommend it to anybody.

    Gemma Wed Oct 10 2012
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  • I think the fact Timeout is now given out free just goes to show how much Londoners view its opinions....on film or any matter really.

    colin p Wed Oct 10 2012
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  • Average film, certainily not scary at all. Ethan Hawke was very good, as usual, but for a film nearly 2 hours long, the story was thin, under-developed and the end I could see coming from half way through. A real let down.... 3/5 (and that's beacuase I've added a point for Hawke's top class performance)

    Progger Wed Oct 10 2012
    Rated as: 3/5
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  • Boss , keeps u on the edge of ur seat , loved it

    Dee Sun Oct 7 2012
    Rated as: 4/5
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