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Sinister
CAST & DIRECTOR
Directed by Scott Derrickson. With Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Vincent D'Onofrio.
6.9/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
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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6.9/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTTrue-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 discove…
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RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Sinister.
MoviHero lists October 4, 2012 as the release date for Sinister. Scott Derrickson is the listed director. The listed cast includes Ethan Hawke as Ellison Oswalt, Juliet Rylance as Tracy Oswalt, Vincent D'Onofrio as Professor Jonas, James Ransone as Deputy. A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateOctober 4, 2012
GenresMystery · Thriller · Horror
Runtime1h 50m
DirectorScott Derrickson
CastEthan Hawke as Ellison Oswalt, Juliet Rylance as Tracy Oswalt, Vincent D'Onofrio as Professor Jonas, James Ransone as Deputy
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Sinister right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Sinister runs 1h 50m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 6/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 6/10. Expect to follow the story rather than use it as background viewing.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 6/10, suggesting a moderate emotional load. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with Sinister. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
But shorterYour House2026 · 11m
99 minutes shorter (11m). Shared genre: horror, thriller, mystery.
But less emotionally intenseThe Eken: Kerala-e Kurukshetra2026 · 1h 59mEstimated emotional impact: 4/10 versus 6/10. Shared genre: mystery, thriller.
But less demandingDOUEN2026 · 1h 35mEstimated attention required: 4/10 versus 6/10. Shared genre: horror, thriller.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 6.9/10 from 6,338 votes. Updated Nov 8, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
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OPTION 2
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing6/10
Emotional Impact6/10
Mind-Bending5/10
Scary8/10
Violence6/10
Rewatchability5/10
Attention Required6/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about Sinister
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“Hits an absurdly high number of horror clichés, but manages to do it in a pretty successful manner.”
Viewer reaction
“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…”
Viewer reaction
“73/100 A true crime writer moves into a home where a horrific murder took place and his family encounters a malevolent force.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
A CLOSER LOOK
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CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
CHARACTERS IN THIS MOVIE
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Reviewed MoviHero character guides connected to this movie.
SIMILAR GENRES & STORY THEMES
Keep the night going.
5.4/10
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2026·Mystery · Thriller · Horror
7.1/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEYour House
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7.1/10
MOVIHERO ESTIMATEThe Godless
2026·Mystery · Horror