Sinister (2012) Ending Explained

TL;DR:
The ending of Sinister reveals that Ethan Hawke's character, true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt, and his family are doomed from the start. After moving into a house where a family was murdered, Ellison discovers snuff films tied to the pagan deity Bughuul, who corrupts children to kill their families. Despite burning the films, Ellison's son, Trevor, is possessed and murders the family. The final scene shows the Oswalts' deaths added to Bughuul's film collection, confirming the cycle continues. The film's bleak ending underscores the inevitability of Bughuul's curse and the futility of Ellison's efforts to escape it.

Detailed Explanation of the Ending:
The climax of Sinister is a masterclass in horror inevitability. Ellison, desperate to save his family, burns the cursed snuff films he discovered in the attic, believing this will break Bughuul's hold. However, this act is futile - Bughuul's influence has already seeped into Trevor, Ellison's son. In the film's final moments, Ellison is knocked unconscious by his wife, Tracy, who is then attacked by Trevor. The screen cuts to black, and we hear the family's screams. The final scene reveals their murders as another film in Bughuul's collection, confirming that the cycle of violence is unbreakable. The film's chilling conclusion lies in its revelation that Ellison's arrogance (moving his family into a murder house for career gain) and his attempts to outsmart the supernatural only sealed their fate.

Unresolved Questions & Possible Answers:
1. Why does Bughuul target children?
- Pagan mythology suggests Bughuul feeds on the souls of families, using children as conduits due to their impressionability.
- The film implies Bughuul represents the corruption of innocence, a recurring theme in horror.
2. Could Ellison have saved his family?
- Unlikely-the films suggest Bughuul's victims are chosen long before they realize it.
- Some argue leaving the house immediately might have helped, but the curse seems inescapable.
3. What is the significance of the missing daughter, Ashley?
- Her absence (she's not shown in the final film) hints she may have escaped or been taken by Bughuul for a future cycle.
- Alternatively, her fate is left ambiguous to unsettle the audience further.

Thematic Significance of the Ending:
Sinister's ending reinforces its core themes: the consequences of obsession and the inescapability of evil. Ellison's hubris-prioritizing his book over his family's safety-mirrors the downfall of classic tragic heroes. The snuff films symbolize the cyclical nature of violence; each family's tragedy is commodified and added to Bughuul's archive. The film also critiques true-crime exploitation; Ellison's attempt to profit from others' suffering ironically makes him a victim. The lack of a heroic resolution subverts horror tropes, leaving audiences with a sense of dread that lingers far beyond the credits.

Personal Opinion on the Ending & Film:
Sinister's ending is one of the most devastating in modern horror precisely because it offers no hope. While some may find it overly nihilistic, I argue it's thematically consistent and brutally effective. The film's slow burn-punctuated by the grotesque snuff films-culminates in a payoff that feels earned rather than cheap. Ethan Hawke's performance sells Ellison's descent from skeptic to doomed man, and the final twist (Trevor's possession) is horrifying in its quiet inevitability. My only critique is that the jump scares occasionally undermine the atmospheric dread, but the ending's execution is near-perfect. It's a reminder that some evils can't be reasoned with or escaped-a lesson that makes Sinister unforgettable.

Final Thoughts:
Sinister's ending works because it refuses to placate the audience. Unlike horror films where the protagonist survives or defeats the monster, Ellison's fate is sealed the moment he presses play on the first film. The closing shot of Bughuul's new "home movie" is a brilliant, gut-punch reminder that the cycle is eternal. It's a testament to the film's craftsmanship that this ending feels both shocking and inevitable-a rare feat in horror. Whether you appreciate its bleakness or not, Sinister's conclusion ensures it lingers in your mind long after the screen fades to black.