The initial ‘Sinister,’ in the eyes of this writer, felt like a disappointment compared to more standard action movies. The film's shortcomings are summed up by the following assessment: "At best Sinister is a tepid story that constantly tries to mislead viewers with predictable scares, an unclear and unsettling mythos, shallow characters, and a supernatural plot that fails to inspire any truly interesting thoughts." While the first ‘Sinister’ wasn’t without its merits—namely Ethan Hawke's performance—director Ciaran Foy’s ‘Sinister II’ doesn’t deliver the kind of intense horror experience one might hope for. The film feels flat and relies on tired clichés, consistently offering moments intended to be frightening but never truly building suspense or intellectual engagement. It manages to create a gloomy atmosphere, but horror films aiming for sophistication should avoid hiding behind such obvious and uninspired techniques. ‘Sinister II’ maintains the connection with its predecessor, bringing back James Ransone as the deputy from the first film, now given a leading role. Following his involvement with the Oswalt family, he's become a private investigator pursuing the demon Baghuul. Consumed by the previous murders, he aims to stop Baghuul’s continued reign of terror. The new family at the center of the story includes Courtney Collins (Shannyn Sossamon) and her two sons, along with her difficult husband (Lea Coco). Courtney struggles with domestic issues while trying to protect her children from the supernatural threat. The deputy-turned-PI must intervene to prevent Baghuul from corrupting this family. The screenplay, written by Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, plays on familiar ground, assuming viewers are already acquainted with the ‘Sinister’ universe. However, the mystery is gone because the sequel doesn't offer much in the way of surprises or suspense; it replicates the same formula as the first film. While the unsettling imagery can be impactful—the grainy footage of a family being hanged, for example—the shock value fades quickly. It leaves one wondering if Foy has enough new tricks to elevate ‘Sinister II’ beyond predictable shadows and vague suggestions. ‘Sinister II’ establishes a bleak and oppressive atmosphere, successfully creating a disturbing world where danger steadily increases. However, the film settles for superficial thrills without exploring deeper, more unsettling themes. Ransone's efforts to confront Baghuul while safeguarding the Collins family feel like a rote plot progression. Even Baghuul lacks any real mystery or menace; his appearance—resembling Jim Morrison with long hair and distinctive clothing—doesn’t particularly ignite the imagination. The presentation of this character is intended to be quite sinister. Ultimately, ‘Sinister II’ offers familiar spooky elements but relies on cheap thrills and predictable jump scares common in contemporary horror movies. The film's failing isn’t so much a deliberate attempt to frighten people as it is following a predictable path with uninspired moments of excitement. Sinister II (2015) Focus Features 1 hr 30 mins. Starring: James Ransone, Shannyn Sossamon, Dartanain Sloan, Robert Sloan and Lea Coco Directed by: Ciaran Foy MPAA Rating: R Genre: Horror/Psychological Thriller/Supernatural & Suspense Critic’s rating: * * stars (out of 4 stars)

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