Listener sentiment
The Sinister is overwhelmingly well-regarded, with the large majority of recent ratings highly positive — a notable feat given the show went through a lengthy hiatus before returning in 2025–2026, and listeners greeted its comeback with enthusiasm. Sylas Dean is the consistent draw: reviewers repeatedly praise his immersive storytelling, meticulous case research, and a voice they describe as soothing and hypnotic. Many listeners came from his other podcast, CreepTime, and appreciate The Sinister as a darker, true-crime-leaning companion. Several reviewers credit the show with helping them through difficult personal periods, signaling a strong emotional bond with the host. The most frequently raised criticism in the recent window is an audio-habit quirk — Sylas audibly sipping a drink into the microphone during episodes — which a handful of listeners, including otherwise devoted fans, find distracting enough to note. A couple of reviewers have also flagged loud sound-effect bleeps. Going further back, earlier complaints touched on excessive ads, a perceived lack of fresh premium content during the hiatus, and occasional content overlap between this show and CreepTime. The dominant story, though, is a loyal audience delighted to have the show back and hungry for more episodes.
Apple4.7 · 43
Summary generated Jul 31, 2026
