31 Days of Drafts and Darkness:

"Sinister" (2012)

Oh "Sinister", you nasty little cinematic snakebite. If you're planning on giving this one a watch, be sure to harden yourself up to the creepy realism it throws at you. While the story of "Sinister" features paranormal elements, it's story-within-a-story scenes are the jolts that'll shock and disturb you most.

Allow me to explain...

The Plot:

An author and his family move into a quiet home in the suburbs. Although the place seems lovely, only the father knows the abode's dark secret. You see, going back decades, every single family that has ever inhabited the house has been slain. 

Specializing in non-fiction crime, the father moves his family into the literal scene of the crime to dig up clues for a new book. Not as popular as he used to be, the author knows solving the case of these bizarre serial-killings will return him to his former fame.

Although occasional creepy things begin to happen, that pretty much comes with the territory in these sort of stories. The real problem arrives when the author discovers a dusty box of 8mm films in the antic. Curious, the author sets up the camera and begins watching. And is horrified.

Each recording contains the execution of all the previous families that ever lived in the house. They are essentially a series of snuff films. Though sickened, the author realizes that turning this evidence in to the police robs him the opportunity to solve the case for himself. Welling up courage, he begins watching each film obsessively, taking notes about every twisted scenario. After repeated viewings, he begins to notice odd things happening in the background. The same masked figure appears to be showing up in every movie, even though they were filmed decades apart. And who the hell is even filming these events?

Can this family solve the mystery without becoming its next victims?

The Flavor:

While "Sinister" packs a few jumps scares, most of its horror is drawn from the atmosphere and use of realistic 'home movies'. That we, the audience, watch each and every video alongside our main character means we get to share in his revulsion and horror. What's worse, because he's investigating these videos for clues, it means each one is viewed multiple times. The first one or two are very disturbing. The last few will drive icy daggers into your chest.

Recorded on 8mm film, none of these movies have any sound. Thus, while you watch each grisly scenes, you'll hear nothing but the faint clicking of the film reel spinning by. It doesn't sound jarring, but combined with the imagery, it ratchets up the realism to seriously creepy levels.

Gruesome as they are though, the little films do begin to intrigue. Much in the same way our protagonist suffers each film for the sake of finding clues, so too will you find yourself scanning each little frame for details and  hints. Most of the time you find nothing. But then, sometimes you do. And things go from bad to worse. For all the horror each film presents openly, the little secrets they pack are even more disturbing.

As unnerved as the film makes you, "Sinister" is also very good at getting you wrapped up and invested into the mystery. Thus, even though you dread whenever one of the home movies begins playing, you know it'll be important.  And so you press on, trying to figure things out alongside the author. For all the dread "Sinister" establishes, that it hooks you in its story from the get-go means it's not easy to leave before the credits role.

Best Paired with:

For the pure heebie-jeebie factor, "Sinister" should be watched alone and in the dark, just like its protagonist does. If you're looking for the scariest experience possible, accept no substitute. Let the film capture your complete attention and lose yourself in the story. Just bear in mind that plenty of imagery will stick will you. This is no horror movie you can just brush off.

I also recommend "Sinister" for horror junkies. Much of the blood and gore is never shown, and while that sounds like a cop-out, it actually makes the horror much more penetrating. Cutting away at just the right moment, we're treated to a view of the protagonist's traumatized reaction to the on-screen violence rather than see it for ourselves. For those with active imaginations, it's far more frightening than seeing gore effects.

For this reason, I'd advise casual filmgoers against "Sinister". While there's little in the way of blood-and-guts, the implied content is worse in ways. I completely understand the hard-R rating on this film even knowing it's not that bloody.

Accompanying Brew:

For an under-your-skin creepfest, something with bite and thematic flare:

From Buzzards Bay Brewery comes tonight's featured ale: Lizzie's 81 Whacks Red IPA.

And yes, that's the actual label. 

Named for the muderous Lizzie Borden and her infamous hatchet, 81 Whacks presents a bold array of bitter hop combined with heavy use of malt. As an IPA, or India Pale Ale, the hoppy component of the brew stands boldly at the forefront. Though pouring an amber red color, 81 Whacks has a piney scent that'll clue you in to the hop flavor within before you even taste it.

Upon the first sip, you'll quickly pick up on the strong bite of the brew, which sticks around into the aftertaste, as well. Once the initial flavor starts to recede and the aftertaste becomes detectable, it's only then that you'll pick up on the added malt nuttiness, which goes quite nicely with the lingering hop flavor.

If you like you beers (and horror) strong, both "Sinister" and 81 Whacks make for a great pairing. The beer is a nice bitter elixir to help you steel yourself through moments of "Sinister", some of which pay all-too-appropriate homage to the cutesy picture on the beer's bottle.