Sinister 2

Directed by Ciarán Foy, Sinister 2 details the horror that predictably unfolds as Bughuul decides to lay claim to a young boy named Dylan (Robert Daniel Sloan) – with the narrative following the first film’s tenacious deputy (James Ransone) as he attempts to help Dylan’s mother (Shannyn Sossamon’s Courtney) protect her son from Bughuul’s clutches. There’s little doubt that Sinister 2 fares best in its opening hour, as the movie, written by Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, generally goes out of its way to continue the first film’s storyline in an organic, believable way – with the relatively fresh, non-retread atmosphere certainly a refreshing change of pace from most repetitive horror sequels. The emphasis on Dylan’s exploits as he becomes more and more intertwined with Bughuul and his army of children plays a significant role in the film’s early success, while Ransone’s character’s ongoing investigation into the demonic figure’s various murders is, for the most part, far more interesting than one might’ve anticipated. (It’s worth noting, too, that the appealing work from both Ransome and Sossamon, as well as the chemistry between the respective characters, goes a long way towards elevating the proceedings.) There unfortunately reaches a point, however, at which Sinister 2 begins losing its grip on the viewer, as the film slowly-but-surely morphs from a spooky, mysterious ghost story to a disappointingly run-of-the-mill run-and-hide horror flick – with the progressively underwhelming atmosphere compounded by a seriously silly subplot involving Courtney’s abusive ex-husband (Lea Coco, evidently channeling Tom Wilson’s Biff Tannen here). The lackluster climax ensures that Sinister 2 ends on a rather forgettable note, which is a shame, to be sure, given the tremendous promise of the movie’s initial stretch.

**1/2 out of ****