Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present

Deep Cuts Horror Hit List #22: “Sinister”
October 10, 2025 · iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

In this episode, Amy Robach and TJ Holmes dive deep into Sinister (2015), their 22nd pick on their “Horror Hit List” of underappreciated and truly terrifying horror movies. They explore why this film, starring Ethan Hawke, stands out from the genre, its chilling impact, and even share a personal story of a “Sinister”-esque find in their own home. Listeners receive a thorough critique, discuss who “Sinister” is for (and who should avoid it), and get pointers on maximizing their viewing experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What Makes “Sinister” So Scary?

• Both hosts agree: this film lingers and haunts long after the credits roll.
  • Amy: “It is very intense and graphic and blood curdling… This one stays with you. It haunts you.” (03:54)
• The premise of moving into a murder house for the sake of a “true crime” story is chilling, especially when the family is unaware.
  • TJ: “After you watch this movie, you’re never going to step into a basement or an attic again and touch anything that looks like it’s been there for a while.” (04:29)

Plot & Character Discussion

• Plot summary: Ethan Hawke stars as Ellison Oswalt, a true crime writer desperate for a hit, who moves his unaware family into the house where horrific murders occurred. He uncovers grisly Super 8 footage pointing to a supernatural origin.
• Discussion of immediate tension:
  • Amy: “That was immediate tension that starts from the beginning because you’re like, does his wife know…?” (06:26)

The Cast & Creative Team

• Strong praise for Ethan Hawke’s convincing everyman performance; shout-outs to Fred Thompson, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Claire Foley.
• They underline the role of director Scott Derrickson.
  • TJ: “He is just so believable at this everyman quality... and he always looks like he’s a little bit of pain. There’s emotion to him always.” (07:17)

Box Office & Reception

• Sinister grossed $87.7 million on a $3 million budget.
• Surprised by the film’s modest Rotten Tomatoes scores (Critics: 64%, Audience: 62%).
  • Amy reads and critiques the “critic consensus” and more mixed reviews. (07:51)
  • Both defend the film’s unpredictability and originality.
  • Amy: “I did not predict the ending at all.” (10:25)

Atmosphere: Music, Tension, & Visuals

• They repeatedly emphasize how the audio track ratchets up suspense, on par with the visual scares.
  • Amy: “The music is so good at building tension… the audio track… is just as effective as the visual.” (09:26)
• This is a “slow build” horror movie—relentless tension, little relief.
  • TJ: “Even when it’s not… whatever supernatural, whatever thing is out there. Even the moments with his wife… there are some tense fights… You get no relief. There is no joy.” (10:43)

The Critic & Audience Reviews

• Amy and TJ share their favorite (and least favorite) professional and audience reviews, reacting with passion and sometimes mock outrage.
  • Amy (reading critic): “Cheapened scare sequences, an ambiguous monstrous myth… barely puts any sinister thoughts in our heads worth contemplating. That is offensive.” (12:02)
• Audience testimonials highlight Sinister’s impact even on horror genre veterans.
  • Amy: “This is one of the scariest movies ever. … I use horror movies to sleep on sometimes… but this one is scary.” (13:14)
  • TJ: “An element that makes this particularly scary is the fact that it’s kind of a found footage movie…” (13:28)
• Multiple mentions of “haunting images”—scenes that “once you’ve seen… you can never unsee them.” (14:16)

Their “Real Life” Sinister Experience

[21:37]

• The hosts recount moving into their new apartment and finding a mysterious, old metal box full of picture slides deeply buried in the closet—eerily reminiscent of the film’s premise.
  • TJ: “I opened this box and there are perfectly organized in there, slides, these picture slides… some labeled with years on them in 19, I think, 50s and 1960s.” (22:35)
  • Amy: “I'm telling you, it was so scary.” (25:57)
  • Their exchange by text (read aloud on-air) is a highlight, as they debate if the slides are objectively creepy—Amy insists anyone would be freaked out.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Watch Sinister

• This movie is a tough, intense watch not for everyone.
  • Amy: “This movie is for anyone who wants to be scared shitless. Bottom line. You also have to be okay with entire families being murdered.” (26:27)
  • TJ: “A lot of people hear everything you just described and are like, why would anybody appreciate, want to see and God forbid enjoy a movie like that? … It’s a fun experience. You will enjoy watching this movie if…” (26:51)
• They defend horror fandom as escapism and insist this film is for genre fans who want “a real event” and to truly be scared.

How To Watch, What to Eat/Drink, and Final Thoughts

• Viewing advice:
  • Amy: “Have drinks before. Have dinner before. I don't think that this is appetite-inducing… keep [snacks] non-acidic … you don’t want to contribute to the bubbles you’re already going to feel in your gut watching this movie.” (28:15)
• Streaming: Available on Hulu, Amazon Prime with an add-on, Disney+, and free with Tubi. (28:55)
• Tease: The next episode features another horror favorite, with an especially gripping start. (29:36)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On horror realism:

  • TJ: “America, y’ all better wake the hell up. Bad things happen to good people and small towns.” (00:51)

• On moving into “Sinister”-style houses:

  • Amy: “When you do move, if you move into a new home, you’re probably going to search the attic, some closets, maybe even the basement for anything that could have been left behind. Because this movie speaks to that.” (03:54)

• On film tone:

  • Amy: “It’s so absurdly awful and supernatural too, that you feel like it’s a departure from actual issues. But it could cut too close for home for people… It is a tough watch, you know.” (27:25)

• On their “Sinister” apartment moment:

  • Amy (reading their texts): “I found some creepy horror movie shit in the house. Legitimately spooked me … I stopped looking after holding a few up to the light. I’m talking 150 plus slides with the pictures perfectly organized.” (24:13)
  • TJ: “Anybody else might have found those and thought nothing of it… We found the box. Immediately think about Sinister...” (25:57)
  • Amy: “If you guys saw these photos, I'm telling you, there's no one who wouldn't be freaked out. Even if you hadn't seen the movie Sinister, they would still be creepy.” (26:11)

• On who “Sinister” is for:

  • Amy: “You also have to be okay with entire families being murdered. If you’re not on board with that in a horror movie, you should not watch this movie.” (26:27)

• On horror as fun:

  • TJ: “It is a movie experience… It’s great storytelling… It is a fun experience. You will enjoy watching this movie if you like that kind of thing.” (26:51)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:15] — Start of “Sinister” discussion and premise
• [04:57] — Ethan Hawke and the cast
• [07:51] — Rotten Tomatoes, critics, and audience scores
• [09:26] — Music, sound design, and scare style
• [12:02] — Sharpest (negative) critical review read and reactions
• [13:14] — Notable audience reviews
• [21:37] — Their personal “creepy box in the attic” story
• [26:27] — “Who is this movie (not) for?”
• [28:53] — Where to watch “Sinister”
• [29:36] — Teaser for next episode

Summary & Takeaways

• Sinister (2015) is a standout entry in Amy and TJ’s “Horror Hit List” for its unique scares, relentless tension, and frighteningly immersive atmosphere.
• Not a film for everyone—viewers should have a strong stomach and appreciation for true, unsettling horror.
• The movie’s impact is so profound that it seeped into their real lives, making even an innocuous discovery seem laden with supernatural threat.
• Highly recommended for horror fans seeking a genuine scare—watch with the lights off and a friend close by.