Sinister (2012)
A true-crime writer's desperate search for a hit unearths chilling footage and a bleak, gritty mystery.
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.
How intense is Sinister?
Sinister is terrifying, with graphic gore and strong violence. Emotionally it is heavy. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch. Rated R.
What Sinister feels like
- Tone
- suspensefulchillinggrittybleak
- Pace
- Measured
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream Sinister
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 13, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is Sinister for you?
Is Sinister scary?
Yes. Sinister is scare level 3 of 3, one of the scariest titles in the CouchRot catalog.
Is Sinister gory or violent?
Graphic gore (2 of 3) and strong violence (2 of 3). If graphic gore is a dealbreaker, skip it.
Is Sinister sad or heavy?
It is emotionally heavy (2 of 3). Expect it to land.
Is Sinister OK for kids?
It is rated R, so it is made for adults. Intensity: scare 3, gore 2, violence 2, each out of 3.
How long is Sinister?
Sinister runs 1h 50m.
Where can I stream Sinister?
Sinister is streaming on Hulu, Peacock and Kanopy.
Does Sinister have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
No. Brace yourself.
Cast and crew
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