Once you see him, nothing can save you.
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.
Sinister (2012) is a horror, thriller and mystery film directed by Scott Derrickson, released on October 4, 2012 with a runtime of 1h 50m. It stars Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Vincent D'Onofrio and James Ransone. Viewers rate it 6.9 out of 10 across 6,200 ratings.
Watch the official trailer for Sinister before you stream it.
Ethan Hawke
as Ellison Oswalt
Juliet Rylance
as Tracy Oswalt
Vincent D'Onofrio
as Professor Jonas
James Ransone
as Deputy
Fred Thompson
as Sheriff
Clare Foley
as Ashley Oswalt
Michael Hall D'Addario
as Trevor Oswalt
Victoria Leigh
as Stephanie Stevenson
Blake Mizrahi
as Christopher Miller
Cameron Ocasio
as BBQ Son / Killer
Danielle Kotch
as Lawn Girl
Ethan Haberfield
as Pool Party Boy
Directed by Scott Derrickson, written by C. Robert Cargill and Scott Derrickson, produced by Jason Blum and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones.
Average viewer score of 6.9/10 from 6,200 ratings.
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. Apparently, it is not…
Reviewed on October 17, 2012
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 splinters…
Reviewed on October 14, 2015
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._
Reviewed on July 26, 2020
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…
Reviewed on July 27, 2026
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Sinister (2012) is available to stream on Hulu, Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus and MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel, and to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube and Fandango At Home. Streaming availability is checked against JustWatch data and can change by region.
The main cast of Sinister (2012) includes Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Vincent D'Onofrio, James Ransone and Fred Thompson. The film was directed by Scott Derrickson. You can see the full cast and crew list, with character names, further up this page.
Sinister was released on October 4, 2012 and runs for 1h 50m.
Sinister (2012) holds an average rating of 6.9 out of 10 from 6,200 viewer votes, and is a good pick if you enjoy horror, thriller and mystery films. Read the viewer reviews on this page to decide for yourself.
Yes. The official Sinister trailer is embedded in the trailer section of this page and plays instantly, no download or sign-up required.
