20 Scariest Horror Movie Moments Of The 21st Century

The snuff-film exploring Sinister documents a series of grisly slaughters discovered in Super 8 form by Ethan Hawke’s crime writing protagonist Ellison. With the home movies ranging from the aptly sinister to the diabolical, each reel is distinctly disturbing, but the worst of all is simply titled “Lawn Work”.

Quite the opposite of the calm gardening themes suggested, the tape channels the voyeuristic creepiness of the opening to David Lynch’s Lost Highway with the mysterious cameraperson silently watching an unsuspecting family from outside their home. We can do nothing but quiver with dread, waiting to see whatever nefarious acts the cameraperson has in mind.

Taking their lawnmower for a spin, the cameraperson extensively shows the contraption being pushed around the dimly-lit garden, slicing and dicing as it goes. We could be forgiven for hoping the blades of grass will end up the only casualties here, but out of nowhere a bound figure still as a mannequin appears in its path, accompanied by a deathly screech.

We don’t need to see Hawke recoiling in shock to understand the implication, but it’s comforting to know we’re not alone in our terror.