A sequel to a film as unsettling as “Sinister” was almost bound to be disappointing — either too tame by comparison, or too nasty. “Sinister 2” manages to be both.
Returning writers Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill continue their story with the still-nameless cop (James Ransone) trying to prevent a new family — a single mom (Shannyn Sossamon) and her twin sons — from falling prey to the home-movie-loving demon Bughuul. With the first film having revealed (spoiler alert) that all the murders were committed by Bughuul-influenced children in the various households, the sequel unfolds from the point of view of one of the boys (Robert Daniel Sloan), who’s on his way toward joining their ranks.
The new perspective opens up possibilities, but the story feels rehashed, and the snuff films the kid finds are grosser (but not scarier) than the originals. Director Ciaran Foy leans too much on the jump scares, too — a sure sign of lack of confidence.
C (1 hr., 37 min.; )
