Sinister is a 2012 supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson and written by Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill. It follows true-crime writer Ellison (Ethan Hawke) as he discovers a box of home movies that puts his family in danger. The film employs "found footage" along with traditional cinematography. Sinister premiered at the SXSW festival, and was released in the United States on October 12, 2012.