A family moves into a haunted house, where the ghost of a child tries to convince them to commit murder and join his “Bughuul’s family.” A horror-filled showdown ensues between good and evil, ending in a fiery blaze.
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Review
Unlocking the Secrets of Sinister 2
As the nights grow longer and darker, horror fans are always looking for new thrills to chill their bones. One of the most eerie and unsettling movies from recent years is Sinister 2, the sequel to the acclaimed original directed by Scott Derrickson. Released in 2015 and written by C. Robert Cargill with input from Derrickson, Sinister 2 puts a new spin on the traditional haunted house trope with its focus on creepy home movies and sinister spirits that haunt children. In this article, we will explore some of the key aspects of Sinister 2 through the lens of social psychologist Robert Cialdini, who has identified six principles of persuasion that guide our behavior as social creatures: reciprocation, consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity.
Reciprocation: The Power of Giving and Taking
Sinister 2 opens with a prologue set in 1966 Pennsylvania, where a family is brutally murdered by an unseen assailant while they are tied up in their own home. The only survivor is a young girl named Bughuul (Nicholas King), who carries a mysterious box filled with old film reels into the woods. Fast forward to present-day Illinois, where we meet Courtney (Shannyn Sossamon) and her twin sons Dylan (Robert Daniel Sloan) and Zach (Dartanian Sloan), who are on the run from their abusive husband/father. They end up staying in a rundown farmhouse owned by Clint (Lea Coco), where they soon discover that something else is living there too: Bughuul himself.
Through several flashbacks and found footage sequences, we learn more about Bughuul’s modus operandi: he lures innocent children to watch his films on old projectors, which reveal graphic images of his previous victims being killed in various ways. The children then become possessed by Bughuul and kill their own families in ritualistic fashion, while he feasts on their souls. This twisted cycle repeats itself every few years, as Bughuul needs fresh material to keep his power alive.
Thus, Sinister 2 plays on the principle of reciprocation by offering us a tantalizing bargain: if we watch these disturbing clips, we will learn more about the mystery behind Bughuul and his minions, but at the same time we are also giving him our attention and energy. The movie creates a link between the audience and the characters who are exposed to these films, making us feel both intrigued and repulsed by what we see. We want to know more about Bughuul’s backstory and motives, even as we dread the consequences of getting too close to him.
Consistency: The Power of Staying True to Our Beliefs
Another key element of Sinister 2 is its exploration of the theme of family dynamics and trauma. Dylan and Zach have their own share of fears and nightmares, stemming from the abusive behavior they witnessed from their father (who is on the verge of finding them). They are also haunted by visions of dead children who try to warn them about Bughuul’s plan. Courtney tries her best to protect her sons, but she is also struggling with her own guilt over leaving her former husband behind without telling him where they went.
At first glance, all these plot threads may seem unrelated or clichéd, but Sinister 2 manages to weave them together into a coherent narrative that highlights the power of consistency. In psychology terms, consistency refers to our tendency to stick to our beliefs despite conflicting evidence or pressure from others. Once we have made up our minds about something (e.g., that our family is worth protecting), we find it hard to change course even when faced with obstacles or doubts.
Sinister 2 exploits this principle by showing us how the characters deal with their own traumas and inner demons while also facing the external threat of Bughuul. We see how Dylan and Zach struggle to reconcile their love for their mother with their fear of losing her or becoming like their father. We see how Courtney tries to make amends for her past mistakes while also confronting the reality of evil in the world. And we see how Clint, a former deputy who was involved in a previous case related to Bughuul, tries to warn them about the dangers of getting too close to him, even as he is haunted by his own guilt and paranoia.
Social Proof: The Power of Following Others’ Lead
A third principle that Sinister 2 taps into is social proof, which refers to our tendency to rely on other people’s actions or opinions as a guide for our own behavior. This can be especially powerful when we are uncertain or in unfamiliar situations, as we instinctively look for cues from others who seem more knowledgeable or confident than us.
In Sinister 2, social proof takes on both positive and negative forms. On one hand, Bughuul uses his previous victims’ images and rituals as a way of signaling his power and authority over his new recruits. By showing them that others have done what he asks them to do (i.e., kill their families), he reduces their anxiety and increases their sense of belonging to his cult. This creates a disturbing parallel with real-life examples of extremist groups that use propaganda videos or online messages to recruit vulnerable individuals.
On the other hand, Sinister 2 also shows how social proof can be used in a positive way by the heroes of the story. Dylan and Zach find themselves befriended by another boy named Milo (Lucas Jade Zumann), who shares their fascination with scary stories and ghost hunting. Milo has his own reasons for wanting to help them, but his presence gives Dylan and Zach a sense of camaraderie and validation that helps them stand up to their fears. Similarly, Courtney finds an unlikely ally in a local professor (James Ransone) who has his own history with Bughuul, but who also shares her desire to protect the innocent children from harm.
Liking: The Power of Attraction and Similarity
A fourth principle that Sinister 2 explores is liking, which refers to our tendency to prefer people or things that we find attractive or similar to ourselves. This can be based on physical traits (e.g., someone who looks like us), personality traits (e.g., someone who shares our sense of humor), or shared experiences (e.g., someone who went through the same challenges as us).
In Sinister 2, the concept of liking is manifested in several ways. For example, we see how Dylan and Zach bond over their love of drawing and storytelling, even though they have different styles and tastes. They also have a strong brotherly bond that makes them willing to sacrifice for each other’s safety. Likewise, Courtney’s relationship with her sons is characterized by warmth and affection, even as she struggles with her own flaws as a parent.
At the same time, Sinister 2 also shows how liking can be subverted or manipulated by evil forces. Bughuul uses his charm and seductive power to lure children into his web of horror, promising them visions of paradise if they follow his commands. He also uses his demonic minions (the ghostly figures known as “the ghoulies”) to intimidate or attack those who are trying to resist him. By making himself seem likable or desirable to vulnerable targets, Bughuul increases the chances that they will fall into his trap.
Authority: The Power of Influence and Rules
A fifth principle that Sinister 2 addresses is authority, which refers to our tendency to obey or respect those who have power or expertise in a given domain. This can be based on formal roles (e.g., a police officer, a doctor) or informal cues (e.g., clothing, tone of voice, posture), and can lead us to follow orders even when they conflict with our own values or common sense.
In Sinister 2, the theme of authority takes multiple forms. On one hand, we see how Bughuul embodies the ultimate authority figure in his twisted world. He has the power to control minds, shape reality, and transcend time and space through his supernatural abilities. He also has the charisma and mystique that draw people towards him, making them willing to accept his rules and punishments.
On the other hand, Sinister 2 also shows how authority can be challenged or superseded by other sources of influence. For example, Courtney decides to break away from her abusive husband despite the social norms that dictate wives should obey their husbands. She also takes charge of her own safety and that of her children by using her wits and resources to outsmart Bughuul’s traps. Similarly, Clint uses his knowledge of law enforcement procedures and Bughuul’s patterns to formulate a plan that may defeat him once and for all. By showing how individuals can question or redefine what authority means in their lives, Sinister 2 suggests that even the most daunting threats may have vulnerabilities if we know where to look.
Scarcity: The Power of Fear and Urgency
The final principle that Sinister 2 explores is scarcity, which refers to our tendency to value things more highly when they are rare or threatened. Scarcity can create a sense of fear or urgency that motivates us to act quickly or decisively before it’s too late.
In Sinister 2, scarcity takes on several forms: first, there is the scarcity of information about Bughuul and his origins, which makes us curious to learn more about him even as we fear his power. Second, there is the scarcity of time that the characters have to prevent Bughuul from finding and possessing Dylan, which creates a sense of suspense and urgency that drives the plot forward. And third, there is the scarcity of hope or salvation for those who have fallen into Bughuul’s trap, which makes us root for the heroes to succeed in their quest.
Through these different forms of scarcity, Sinister 2 taps into our primal fears and desires, reminding us that life is fragile and unpredictable. By taking us on a journey through the darkest corners of the human psyche, it challenges us to confront our own demons and question our assumptions about what is real and what is not.
Conclusion: Unlocking our Own Sinister Potential
In conclusion, Sinister 2 offers a rich tapestry of horror tropes, character arcs, and psychological themes that resonate with Robert Cialdini’s six principles of persuasion. It shows how reciprocity, consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity shape our choices and reactions in everyday situations as well as in extreme circumstances. By using these principles to explore our deepest fears and desires through a chilling but thought-provoking story, Sinister 2 invites us to unlock our own potential as both victims and survivors of sinister forces beyond our control. Whether we choose to stay away from old film reels or keep watching them until we see something we shouldn’t see…that’s up to us.
Technical Data
- Runtime : 97
- Release : 2015-08-19
- Genre : Horror
- Cast : James Ransone as Ex-Deputy So & So, Shannyn Sossamon as Courtney Collins, Robert Daniel Sloan as Dylan Collins, Dartanian Sloan as Zach Collins, Lea Coco as Clint Collins
- Crew : Terri Taylor as Casting, Luc Etienne as Unit Production Manager, Amy Vincent as Director of Photography, Scott Derrickson as Producer, Scott Derrickson as Characters
- Popularity 26.379
- Budget : $10,000,000
- Revenue : $53,329,150
- Company : Tank Caterpillar, Blumhouse Productions, Alliance Films
- Summary : A young mother and her twin sons move into a rural house that’s marked for death.
- Tagline : Some Things You Can’t Unsee.
