
Sinister is widely praised for its genuinely unsettling atmosphere, effective use of sound design, and disturbing "home movie" sequences. Ethan Hawke gives a strong performance as a true-crime writer who discovers gruesome footage in his new home. The film’s first two acts are considered among the best modern horror, though some feel the supernatural elements in the third act are slightly less effective than the realistic dread built earlier. It holds a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes (~63% critic, ~60% audience) and has a strong cult following.
Sinister is widely praised for its genuinely unsettling atmosphere, effective use of sound design, and disturbing "home movie" sequences. Ethan Hawke gives a strong performance as a true-crime writer who discovers gruesome footage in his new home. The film’s first two acts are considered among the best modern horror, though some feel the supernatural elements in the third act are slightly less effective than the realistic dread built earlier. It holds a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes (~63% critic, ~60% audience) and has a strong cult following.