Endure if you dare. Survive if he lets you.
Psst… Your pants… Do you enjoy having them creeped off you? If your answer’s “yes,†I suggest SINISTER 2!
As a sleeper hit, 2012’s SINISTER tweaked the element of fear and gave it a new face. Bughuul, a mythical supernatural demon who seeks out the souls of children, generated a following, and left a mark among horror freaks all over the world.
After much anticipation, the Bug is back and in the aftermath of the events in SINISTER, his aggressive soul is now pointing his finger of fear at a protective mom (Shannyn Sossamon) and her wins (Robert and Dartanian Sloan). Finding themselves in a rural house marked for death, they abruptly come across an ex-deputy (James Ransone) hell-bent on explaining unnerving supernatural acts. As terrifying twists lures them into pitfalls of soul-rattling scenarios, SINISTER 2 ups the ante between man and demon.
Continuing the story, much like the first, psychologically it accomplishes a terrifying thrill beyond creepy. Its visceral appeal among an evil, soul-sucking spirit and barbaric acts of murder (which seem to come from an ISIS playbook) takes this one to a new “low†of cynical charm. Solidifying itself as a new brand of fright, this franchise can go in many directions. Stepping aside from others pertaining to supernatural occurrences like the PARANORMALs, CONJURINGs, or even INSIDOUS, SINISTER defines itself by constantly giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.
Although this one’s Ethan Hawke-less, and a bit brighter than the first, its darkened appeal lives throughout the film. So much, with any luck, at some point I’ll be sucked into the world of Bughuul and serve as a henchman. One that corrupts innocent souls and drags them into a sinkhole of horror.
As a whole, it doesn’t suffer the usual “sequel curse.†Simple to follow and detailed with some back-story from the first, SINISTER 2 is a joy to soak in and freeze your nerves with during this heatwave.
That said, all hail Lord Bughuul!
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Grade: B / Genre: Horror, Sequel / Rated: R / Run Time: 1:30
Starring: James Ransone, Shannyn Sossamon, Robert and Dartanian Sloan
Directed by: Ciaran Foy
