Since 2009, Oscar-nominated actor Ethan Hawke has firmly established himself in the realm of horror films, a journey highlighted by his standout roles and collaborations with director Scott Derrickson. This rising presence in Ethan Hawke horror movies began with the sci-fi vampire thriller Daybreakers, followed by the tense and violent The Purge. Now, fans can revisit Hawke’s breakthrough horror performance in the 2012 film Sinister, currently streaming on Hulu, setting the stage for their eagerly anticipated upcoming film, Black Phone 2, slated for release on October 17, 2025.
The Chilling Story Behind ‘Sinister’
Sinister, directed by Scott Derrickson and co-written with C. Robert Cargill, weaves a suspenseful narrative mixing supernatural horror with crime and mystery elements. The film centers on Ellison Oswalt, played by Ethan Hawke, a once-successful true-crime writer struggling to regain his footing. After moving into a foreboding Pennsylvania home with his wife Tracy (Juliet Rylance) and their children Ashley (Clare Foley) and Trevor (Michael Hall D’Addario), Oswalt discovers a collection of old Super 8 home movies hidden in the attic.
As Oswalt delves deeper into the disturbing footage, he uncovers evidence that the videotapes contain homemade snuff films connected to a series of brutal murders related to the house’s dark past. Motivated by the desire to revive his career, Oswalt weighs the risks of investigating these tapes against the potential harm it could cause his family. However, his pursuit of the truth unleashes devastating consequences that threaten everyone he loves.
Derrickson’s direction shines through the use of period-specific Super 8 footage, portraying harrowing deaths such as a pool party drowning in 1966, a fiery car crash in 1979, and a grisly lawnmower accident in 1986. The grainy, low-resolution style enhances the terror with a chilling sense of realism, gripping viewers throughout the film.
The Growth of Derrickson and Hawke’s Horror Collaboration
In Sinister, Ethan Hawke delivers a convincing portrayal of a deeply flawed protagonist, Ellison Oswalt, whose curiosity and desperation lead him down a dangerous path. His nuanced performance captures Oswalt’s inner conflict as a man torn between ambition and family loyalty, offering complexity beyond a typical hero figure.
This blend of moral ambiguity continued the following year in The Purge, where Hawke portrayed James Sandin, a father who resorts to violent measures to protect his family during an annual lawless event. His ability to balance the line between hero and antihero caught Derrickson’s attention and eventually led to casting Hawke as the primary villain in The Black Phone, another film co-written by Cargill.
The evolution of their partnership stretches over a creative arc from Sinister’s troubled writer to the terrifying antagonist in The Black Phone, a horror story inspired by Joe Hill, Stephen King’s son. In this 1970s-set thriller, Mason Thames stars as Finney, a boy abducted and trapped by a masked kidnapper known as The Grabber. Trapped in an abandoned basement, Finney’s only aid is an old black rotary phone through which he connects with the spirits of previous victims.
Raising the Stakes in ‘Black Phone 2’
The upcoming Black Phone 2 represents a bold step forward for Hawke and Derrickson, deepening the horror and supernatural elements. Hawke’s role evolves from a human villain to a fully supernatural force as The Grabber transcends physical boundaries to haunt victims in their dreams. This transformation recalls horror icon Freddy Krueger, immortalized by Robert Englund, through whom Hawke draws inspiration.
“What does sin walk like? What does sin sound like? That was just kind of how I thought about it. It’s almost like playing a gargoyle.” – Ethan Hawke, Actor
“I thought a lot about Robert Englund. It was hard not to. The body language is so inspiring, how to communicate character through body language.” – Ethan Hawke, Actor
The complexity of playing such a sinister role challenged Hawke to explore new physical expressions to convey evil. This distinctive character, shaped under Derrickson’s guidance, showcases Hawke’s commitment to reinventing his horror performances instead of recycling familiar tropes.
With thirteen years of collaboration behind them, Derrickson and Hawke have transformed their partnership into a cornerstone of modern horror. Starting with Sinister, advancing through The Purge and The Black Phone, this creative duo continues to heighten suspense and terror, captivating horror fans and new audiences alike.
Although initially hesitant about sequels, Hawke has hinted at the possibility of continuing the Black Phone universe and reprising The Grabber, leaving fans eagerly waiting to see where this saga leads next. Meanwhile, viewers looking to fully appreciate Hawke’s horror journey should stream Sinister on Hulu, especially as the Halloween season approaches.
