# Sinister

> 2012 film directed by Scott Derrickson

**Wikidata**: [Q761519](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q761519)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinister_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sinister

## Summary
*Sinister* is a 2012 horror film directed by Scott Derrickson, known for its psychological terror and found-footage elements. The movie follows a true-crime writer who discovers disturbing home movies in his new house, uncovering a dark supernatural presence. It stars Ethan Hawke and is part of a franchise that includes *Sinister 2* (2015).

## Key Facts
- **Release Date**: November 22, 2012 (U.S.), December 6, 2012 (international), with a general 2012 release.
- **Director**: Scott Derrickson.
- **Genre**: Horror, psychological horror, supernatural horror.
- **Production Companies**: Alliance Films, IM Global, Summit Entertainment.
- **Country of Origin**: United States, Canada, United Kingdom.
- **Cast**: Ethan Hawke, James Ransone, Juliet Rylance.
- **Runtime**: 110 minutes.
- **Budget**: $3 million.
- **Box Office**: $87.7 million.
- **IMDb Rating**: 6.2/10.
- **Rotten Tomatoes Score**: 63%.
- **Metacritic Score**: 53/100.
- **Sequel**: *Sinister 2* (2015), directed by Ciaran Foy.
- **Record Label**: Nuclear Blast (associated with the film's soundtrack).
- **Notable Actors**: James Ransone (1979–2025), known for roles in *The Wire* and *Sinister*.
- **Writers**: C. Robert Cargill (co-writer), Scott Derrickson.
- **Distributor**: Summit Entertainment (owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation).
- **Wikidata ID**: Q262844.
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0h28mms.
- **Library of Congress Classification**: PN1993-PN1999 (motion pictures).
- **Sitelink Count**: 37 Wikipedia language editions.

## FAQs
**What is *Sinister* about?**
*Sinister* is a horror film about a true-crime writer (Ethan Hawke) who moves into a house where a family was murdered. He discovers a box of home movies depicting gruesome killings, uncovering a supernatural entity linked to the crimes.

**Who directed *Sinister*?**
The film was directed by Scott Derrickson, known for his work in horror and supernatural genres.

**What is the connection between *Sinister* and *Sinister 2*?**
*Sinister 2* (2015) is a sequel directed by Ciaran Foy, continuing the story of the supernatural entity introduced in the first film.

**Who are the main actors in *Sinister*?**
The film stars Ethan Hawke as the protagonist, James Ransone as a deputy, and Juliet Rylance as the writer’s wife.

**What is the significance of James Ransone’s role in *Sinister*?**
James Ransone played a supporting role as a deputy in *Sinister*, contributing to the film’s tension and horror elements. He was also known for his work in *The Wire* and *It: Chapter Two*.

**What production companies were involved in *Sinister*?**
The film was produced by Alliance Films, IM Global, and Summit Entertainment, with distribution handled by Summit Entertainment.

**What is the budget and box office performance of *Sinister*?**
*Sinister* was made on a budget of $3 million and grossed $87.7 million worldwide, making it a commercial success.

**What are the critical ratings for *Sinister*?**
The film holds a 6.2/10 rating on IMDb, a 63% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 53/100 on Metacritic.

**What is the role of Nuclear Blast in relation to *Sinister*?**
Nuclear Blast, a German record label specializing in metal, was associated with the film’s soundtrack, contributing to its atmospheric horror elements.

**What is the cultural impact of *Sinister*?**
*Sinister* is notable for its use of found-footage elements and psychological horror, influencing later films in the genre. Its success led to a sequel and cemented its place in modern horror cinema.

## Why It Matters
*Sinister* is a significant entry in the horror genre, blending psychological terror with supernatural elements to create a uniquely unsettling experience. Its use of found-footage techniques and disturbing imagery has influenced subsequent horror films, making it a benchmark for atmospheric horror. The film’s commercial success, despite its modest budget, demonstrates its broad appeal and effectiveness in scaring audiences. Additionally, its exploration of themes like obsession and the supernatural resonates with fans of psychological horror. The franchise’s expansion with *Sinister 2* further solidifies its impact on the genre.

## Notable For
- **Found-Footage Horror**: Pioneering the use of disturbing home movies within a narrative horror film.
- **Commercial Success**: Achieving a box office gross of $87.7 million on a $3 million budget.
- **Cultural Influence**: Inspiring subsequent horror films with its psychological and supernatural elements.
- **Sequel Expansion**: Spawning *Sinister 2*, continuing the story of the supernatural entity.
- **Critical Reception**: Earning mixed but notable reviews, with a 63% Rotten Tomatoes score.
- **Notable Cast**: Featuring Ethan Hawke and James Ransone in key roles.
- **Production Collaboration**: Involving major production companies like Summit Entertainment and Alliance Films.
- **Soundtrack Association**: Linked to Nuclear Blast, a prominent metal record label.
- **Global Reach**: Available in 37 Wikipedia language editions, indicating widespread recognition.
- **Genre Innovation**: Combining psychological horror with supernatural themes in a fresh way.

## Body
### Overview and Plot
*Sinister* is a 2012 horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and co-written with C. Robert Cargill. The story follows Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke), a true-crime writer who moves his family into a house where a family was murdered. He discovers a box of home movies in the attic, each depicting a different family’s murder. As he investigates, he uncovers a supernatural entity named Bughuul, who appears in each film and is linked to the murders. The film blends psychological horror with supernatural elements, creating a tense and unsettling atmosphere.

### Production and Release
The film was produced by Alliance Films, IM Global, and Summit Entertainment, with a budget of $3 million. It was released on November 22, 2012, in the United States and December 6, 2012, internationally. Despite its modest budget, *Sinister* grossed $87.7 million worldwide, making it a commercial success. The film’s distribution was handled by Summit Entertainment, a subsidiary of Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation.

### Cast and Crew
*Sinister* stars Ethan Hawke as Ellison Oswalt, James Ransone as a deputy, and Juliet Rylance as Ellison’s wife. Scott Derrickson directed the film, with C. Robert Cargill serving as co-writer. The cast and crew’s contributions were pivotal in creating the film’s eerie atmosphere and psychological depth.

### Critical Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. On IMDb, it holds a rating of 6.2/10, while Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 63% score, and Metacritic rated it 53/100. Critics praised the film’s tension and horror elements but noted its reliance on familiar tropes. Despite this, *Sinister* has gained a following among horror fans for its disturbing imagery and effective scares.

### Sequel and Franchise
The success of *Sinister* led to a sequel, *Sinister 2*, directed by Ciaran Foy and released in 2015. The sequel continues the story of Bughuul, exploring new victims and the entity’s ongoing influence. While the sequel did not achieve the same critical or commercial success as the original, it expanded the franchise’s lore and maintained its horror themes.

### Cultural Impact
*Sinister* is notable for its use of found-footage elements within a traditional narrative structure. The film’s disturbing home movies and psychological horror elements have influenced subsequent films in the genre. Its success also demonstrated the viability of low-budget horror films in achieving broad commercial appeal.

### Related Entities
- **James Ransone**: An American actor (1979–2025) known for his roles in *The Wire*, *Sinister*, and *It: Chapter Two*. He also pursued music and attended the School of Visual Arts.
- **Summit Entertainment**: A film production and distribution company founded in 1991, owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation. It played a key role in distributing *Sinister*.
- **Nuclear Blast**: A German record label specializing in metal, associated with the film’s soundtrack and contributing to its atmospheric horror elements.
- **Alliance Films**: A Canadian motion picture distribution and production company involved in the film’s production.
- **IM Global**: An American independent film and TV production company that co-produced *Sinister*.

### Technical Details
- **Runtime**: 110 minutes.
- **Budget**: $3 million.
- **Box Office**: $87.7 million.
- **IMDb ID**: tt1922777.
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0h28mms.
- **Library of Congress Classification**: PN1993-PN1999 (motion pictures).
- **Wikidata ID**: Q262844.

### Legacy
*Sinister* remains a significant film in the horror genre, known for its psychological terror and found-footage techniques. Its success and influence have cemented its place in modern horror cinema, inspiring future films and maintaining a dedicated fanbase. The franchise’s expansion with *Sinister 2* further solidifies its impact on the genre.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.filmstarts.de/kritiken/200962.html)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1922777/)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=200962.html)
4. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-200962/)
5. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/sinister-film)
6. Doctor Strange Press Kit
7. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/sinister-2012)
8. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1922777/fullcredits)
9. Letterboxd
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11. Sinister. Rotten Tomatoes
12. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1922777/releaseinfo)
13. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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17. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/sinister/)
18. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
19. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2012&s_month=11&e_year=2012&e_month=11&pageID=2)
20. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/135027)
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