Grab a nightlight and a blanket, because “Sinister 2” hit theaters with full intent to make its viewers jump out of their seats.
“Sinister 2,” a sequel to the 2012 supernatural horror film “Sinister,” hit theaters August 21. The film is centered on a mother, Courtney Collins (Shannyn Sossamon) and her two sons, Dylan and Zach (Robert and Dartanian Sloan) as they face demons in an isolated farmhouse.
Right from the start, Dylan has nightmares in which he sees demons, destruction and murder.
The nights worsen when Dylan meets a group of ghost children who lead him to the basement to watch snuff Super 8 films. The homemade movies show children killing their families in elaborate and sickening manners. One child hooks his family up to electric units and floods the room while they are shocked to death.
The first “Sinister” had a single storyline that centered on the mystery of Baghuul, also known as “The Boogey Man” and his connection to different murders. It followed one family being haunted by Baghuul, and the audience experienced a clear story with a problem that solved itself in the end.
The new director, Ciaran Foy, wasn’t able to create a sequel that had the same creepy effect as its predecessor. “Sinister 2” presents another tale of Baghuul in his attempt to possess a child into murdering his or her family.
About halfway through the film, the audience is introduced to Courtney’s abusive husband, Clint Collins (Lea Coco.) Another storyline unfolds.
But “Sinister 2” had to throw in one more plot line. The deputy (James Ransone) from the first film returns to play a love interest for Courtney. If a combination of horror, violence and romance sounds exciting, “Sinister 2” is the movie to watch.
The film had a lot of potential. The first installment impressed critics and gave audiences something fresh in the horror genre. If “Sinister 2” had attempted to develop a new plot twist involving Baghuul, the film may have done better. Instead, it repeated the same scares “Sinister” offered.
Although the content fell average, “Sinister 2” had multiple moments that caused audience members to jump.
The biggest scare of the movie may not have had to do with demons at all. Rather, a moment when Clint lashes out at Dylan leaves viewers breathless. The camera angle captured the abrupt moment in a way that made my skin crawl.
Compared to the first film, it falls short. “Sinister” made $18,007,634 in just its opening weekend, while “Sinister 2” has only made $19,539,311 after being in theaters for two weeks. “Sinister 2” won’t be the best horror flick of the year, but it’s worth seeing for entertainment purposes.
kolbee14@bonaventure.edu
