Iffy for 16+
Scary, intense horror film involves kids and murder.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Sinister -- a horror movie from the director of The Exorcism of Emily Rose -- is about a potentially supernatural killer and the disappearance of several children. It has some genuinely scary, tense, and shocking moments, including images of gruesome murders shown on Super 8 film footage. There's also a scene of blood spattered all over several walls. Language is a minor issue ("s--t" is used a couple of times), but the main character gulps whisky during tense moments and also smokes a cigarette.
- Families can talk about Sinister's violence, which occurs mostly in the Super 8 films the main character watches. How did it affect you? How did it compare to other horror movies you've seen?
- Is Sinister scary? What were the scariest parts? Were they sudden jumps, or did it feel slower and creepier?
- What's the appeal of horror movies like Sinister?
- How does the movie depict drinking? Are there realistic consequences?
The good stuff
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Messages: Perhaps the biggest message here is "curiosity killed the cat," though the main character does eventually learn to put his family before his work.
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Role models: The main character is a troubled writer who claims to be helping others but really seems more concerned with his own fame, fortune, and legacy. He does eventually learn to place his family's safety before these things, but it may be too late.
What to watch for
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Violence: Genuinely scary/shocking moments. The main character watches Super 8 films with grisly scenes of murder, such as a group hanging, a family burned alive inside a car, a family drowned in a swimming pool, and people cut up by a power lawnmower. There are suggestions of slaughter and images of walls decorated with blood.
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Sex: A married couple shares a couple of kisses and are shown sleeping in the same bed.
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Language: Language is infrequent but includes a few uses of "s--t." In one scene, a character says the word "f--king" but drops a couple of letters so that it's not quite clear. Characters also say "damn it," "goddamn," "Christ" (as an exclamation), and "oh my God."
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Consumerism: The main character regularly uses an Apple computer and iPhone. The computer's screen and its various functions, commands, and applications -- such as Google, iChat, Safari, and QuickTime -- are shown often.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: The main character is shown gulping down whisky during tense moments, though he's never shown drunk, and it's not established that he has a drinking problem. He's also seen drinking a beer at dinner, and he lights up a cigarette during one especially tense scene.
Fan Reviews provided by
4
Sinister ... a tad better then what weve had lately for horror by Darkola
I've read alot of reviews for this movie, talking about the scares throughout, and as I did jump a few times, the scares are more of the surprise scares, noises mostly, and to be honest, most of them occur within about 10 minutes of each other. I did like the idea of the movie, with the films in the attic of previous murders and whats in them films, the acting was par, nothing really over the top, but it wasnt bad either. There are parts of this movie that dont make sense to me, especially with the son, as when you realise what the movie deals with, it really had nothing to do with why the son acting the way he did in a few of the scenes. They could have also done with a little less of the argueing between husband and wife throughout the movie, there didnt need to be that much of it just to make the film longer .. or whatever purpose it was suppose to serve. As I did like the originality of the story, and a few of the ideas in it, I'd give this 2 1/2 stars out of 4 ... enjoy :)
5
I usually don't get scared and this one makes you jump. by Sabres24
Very good movie, not one of those short normal horror flicks where everyone dies and it just ends. Really freaky movie and I wouldn't suggest sleeping alone after watching it.
Id rate it 8/10! I would see it again.
4
If your not a fan of being scared...dont go..because Sinister WILL MAKE YOU JUMP OUT OF UR SEAT!!! by VanMan99
If its true u loose yrs of life after a sudden scare then I'm 10 yrs older now, lol. My wife and I love horror films and not the cheesy, unrealistic sort either. We give most Horror flicks a chance but in the end we usually go a long time before finding the next freak show that makes us sleep with the light on - Lets face it, scary is demonology / religious dark sides, true witching, deep sleep mind games, ancient world wide urban legends of shifty ghouls and pagan deity's! In the end its always up to the movie makers,actors,camera angles,cinematography,lighting, location etc to make it believable. This is no exorcist or home movie style P-Activity, but its still believable. The plot has good momentum with well placed "surprises" as it maintains its very dark and twisted setting. The best parts are when the camera shot darkens, the sound fades to nothing as you struggle to hear and see, audience is right on the edge of suspense, then...HELLO!! A great & unpredictable movie, go see it!
4
Better than expected! by raginggemini7
I was pleased that there was actually a story. Most horror movies lack that. Plenty of startling moments to keep your heart rate up. My Mom & I see nearly every horror/suspense movie and we both liked this one.
4
Dark and Jumpy by ShortieSally
Sinister is one of those movies that make you wonder "how can somebody come up with such disturbing ways to kill somebody?" in almost a Saw kind of way. It is less of a gore-fest than Saw would be, and more of a jumpy-horror movie like I was hoping for. I am a horror movie fan and this was definitely a good watch. I've read some harsh comments about the acting, but I remember being impressed by the acting when watching this movie, of course not on the kids' part as much (but hey- they're kids).
The ending kind of irritated me I guess because it seemed like an easy way out, but I guess it was reasonable and the film would've been too long if they didn't end it in that sort of manner. Either way I still recommend you go see it in theaters because everybody knows horror movies are scarier in theaters, and it's a good watch! Enjoy. PS Buy nachos they're the bomb.
4
creeptacular!! by jokernpeant
Me and my hubby went to see this movie, it took a little while to get to the dramatic and scary parts but when it did O.M.G. i couldn't stop covering my eyes!! It was a great movie, the theatre was packed and even though most of the men wont admit it, they were jumping in thier seats as much as the ladies ; ) . I definantly recommend this movie especially being this close to halloween it's a must see!
5
Loved it! by Kathleen150
This movie is nothing that you expect it to be! It had me jumping out of my seat at times and has an unexpected ending! If you like a good thriller/horror like I do i recommend seeing this!
4
Great sound design and creepy concept combine to provide some solid chills by elemperador
Acting was reasonably sold. The fiction mythology is reasonably presented and works for the film. The sound design was excellent combining a chilling score with well directed sound fields (sounds come from various directions, including above). Some may not like the pacing (this is more of a slow boil with spikes of tension separated by exposition building to a climax, rather than non-stop tension), but it felt appropriate to me. The movie has some good jump sequences and suspenseful moments, but is never gory. I would recommend this film if you like creepy suspense.
3
You gotta be Kiddin' me! by baldino the Great
This movie had good acclaim from the critics, I sure like to know what they watched because it sure wasn't this (Sinister). It was predictable from start to finish and the finish was sooo much like the Paranormal movies. There few frights and no surprises. It didn't grab me and I was disappointed.
5
Intense! by kellijo02
This movie was terrifying. In my opinion the music behind it made it more scary then the actual movie itself but in a good way. It was a little bit gory, thinking about how some of the people died made me cringe. I hate scary movies but I still go to every single one of them. I thought it was better then Insidious. Go!