Sinister poster

Sinister

Once you see him, nothing can save you.

6.9(6,304)20121h 50m16

True-crime writer Ellison Oswalt is in a slump; he hasn't had a best seller in more than 10 years and is becoming increasingly desperate for a hit. So, when he discovers the existence of a snuff film showing the deaths of a family, he vows to solve the mystery. He moves his own family into the victims' home and gets to work. However, when old film footage and other clues hint at the presence of a supernatural force, Ellison learns that living in the house may be fatal.

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Status
Released
Budget
$3M
Box office
$87.7M
Language
English
Part of Sinister Collection · 2 films
  • drowning
  • pennsylvania, usa
  • writing
  • child murder
  • snuff
  • tape
  • home movie footage
  • murder
  • massacre
  • power outage
  • held captive
  • hanging

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Produced in

Canada, United States of America

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PremiereSouth by Southwest Film Festival11 Mar 2012
    • TheatricalR12 Oct 2012
  • United KingdomGB

    • PremiereGrimmfest International Festival of Fantastic Film3 Oct 2012
    • Theatrical155 Oct 2012
  • United Arab EmiratesAE

    • Theatrical15+8 Nov 2012
  • AustraliaAU

    • TheatricalMA15+1 Nov 2012
    • PhysicalMA 15+DVD18 Jun 2013
  • CanadaCA

    • Theatrical14A12 Oct 2012
  • ArgentinaAR

    • Theatrical1325 Oct 2012
  • AustriaAT

    • Theatrical23 Nov 2012
  • BahrainBH

    • Theatrical8 Nov 2012
  • BelgiumBE

    • Theatrical7 Nov 2012
  • BoliviaBO

    • Theatrical20 Dec 2012
  • BrazilBR

    • Theatrical1412 Oct 2012
  • ChileCL

    • Theatrical181 Nov 2012

Frequently asked questions

Sinister was released on 4 October 2012.

Audience reviews

4
  • S

    SheBlogger

    10/17/2012

    Sinister (A Horror Movie): From a Commoner’s View NO SPOILERS – SheBlogger hates spoilers :) Okay…so here’s another horror movie review from the girl who is yet to be scared with scenes shot in the dark, gory murders and startling sound effects. HeBlogger and I went to the mall last Sunday to watch a different movie. We thought Tiktik, which is a Filipino horror movie, was already showing. Appare…

  • J

    John Chard

    10/14/2015

    Bughuul the Bastard! After moving himself and his family into a new house that was the scene of a horrendous crime, true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) finds a box of 8mm "snuff" films that suggest the murder he is currently researching is the work of a serial killer whose career dates some way back still further... It is becoming the un-reviewable genre, horror that is, there are just too many splin…

  • G

    Gimly

    7/26/2020

    6/10

    Hits an absurdly high number of horror clichés, but manages to do it in a pretty successful manner. Features many more laugh out moments than you might expect from a horror of this type. Not sure if that's a pro or a con. _Final rating:★★★ - I liked it. Would personally recommend you give it a go._

  • D

    Dr Nostromo

    7/27/2026

    7/10

    73/100 A true crime writer moves into a home where a horrific murder took place and his family encounters a malevolent force. This was an ultra-creepy exercise in, not only a demonic presence, but also in obsession and how far someone is willing to go before considering their family's safety. Everyone in it did a wonderful job and their actions were logical, heartfelt and intelligent. It's absolutely thick with a …

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