Sinister 2012 — Imdb
Have you seen Sinister? What did you think of the lawnmower scene? Rate your experience on IMDb.
On , Sinister holds a solid 6.8/10 rating based on over 280,000 user votes. While that number might seem modest compared to classics like The Shining (8.4), within the horror genre—where films are often rated harshly—a 6.8 signifies a robust, well-regarded hit. More importantly, its user reviews and "Parents Guide" section reveal a film that disturbs audiences on a primal level, not just through gore, but through atmosphere and implication. The Plot: True Crime Meets Ancient Evil The film follows Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke), a true-crime writer desperate for a comeback. Hoping to replicate the success of his one hit book, he moves his unsuspecting family—wife Tracy (Juliet Rylance) and two children—into a house where a family was brutally murdered. Their daughter has been missing for five years. The twist? A box of Super 8 home movies is discovered in the attic. sinister 2012 imdb
Ellison’s daughter, Ashley, has been drawing pictures of Bughuul all along. In the final minutes, she kills her father with an axe (mirroring the first Super 8 reel) and walks away with Bughuul into a projected film. There is no redemption. Evil wins. Have you seen Sinister
The track “Silence Teaches You How to Sing” uses reversed samples, discordant drones, and industrial screeching. Unlike traditional horror scores that use stings and crescendos, Sinister ’s music feels like a panic attack. Many IMDb users report that they had to watch the film on mute during the second viewing because the score triggered actual anxiety. This sonic assault is why the film’s jump scares—particularly the infamous —work so effectively. The score lowers your defenses, leaving you raw for the visual shock. The Bughuul Problem (And Why It Works) The film’s most common criticism on IMDb (earning it some of its 5/10 and 6/10 votes) is the final reveal of the demon Bughuul (played by actor Nick King). Some detractors argue that showing the full-faced, black-metal-looking demon in the final act diminishes the fear. Once you see the monster, the argument goes, it stops being scary. On , Sinister holds a solid 6
On IMDb, the conversation continues. New viewers discover the lawnmower scene every week. Parents debate the "Parents Guide" warnings about disturbing imagery. And horror aficionados argue whether Bughuul should have remained in the shadows. One thing is certain: Sinister got under our skin. And like Ellison’s Super 8 films, once you watch it, you can never fully look away.
These films, labeled charmingly as "Pool Party," "BBQ," or "Lawn Work," reveal the previous family’s demise. As Ellison watches, he realizes each reel depicts a different, grisly family massacre dating back decades. The common thread is a demonic entity named (or "Mr. Boogie"), an ancient pagan god who consumes the souls of children and requires a "final recording" to complete his ritual. The Genius of the Super 8 Tapes What elevates Sinister on IMDb and in horror discussion forums is its central set piece: the home movies. Director Scott Derrickson and cinematographer Chris Norr used actual Super 8 film stock to create a texture that feels authentically vintage and corrupted.
However, defenders counter that Bughuul’s design works because of his behavior. He doesn't chase anyone. He stands in the background of photographs and video frames, smiling. He is a passive observer until he isn't. The image of Bughuul standing in the swimming pool in the "Pool Party" reel—barely visible until you freeze-frame—is a masterclass in background horror. IMDb Spoiler Warning: The ending of Sinister is famously bleak. In a twist that redefines the film’s logic, we learn that the possessed children aren't just victims; they are the murderers. Bughuul does not kill the families; he possesses the youngest child, who kills their family, then lives as a runaway. To complete the cycle, that child must recruit a new child.