Two siblings haunted by a childhood tragedy learn that the source of their horror is a mysterious mirror with a dark history. Tim (Brenton Thwaites) and Kaylie (Karen Gillan) were merely teenagers when both of their parents were brutally butchered. Convicted of the killings and sentenced to protective custody, Tim serves his time while Kaylie drifts into a deep despair. Years later, a newly free Tim does his best to lay the past to rest. Meanwhile, Kaylie is certain that her brother was innocent all along, and that the antique mirror their parents used to own holds the answer to her darkest questions. Upon locating the long-lost looking glass, Kaylie's deepest fears are confirmed -- a menacing force inhabits that mirror, and it has plagued every owner who has come into possession of it. Now, as curious Kaylie reacquires the mirror, the nightmarish cycle of horror returns with a vengeance. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Release Date: Apr
11, 2014
Rated: R for some Disturbing Images, Brief Language,
Terror and Violence
Runtime: 1 hr. 45 min.
Genres: Horror
Director: Mike Flanagan
Cast: Karen Gillan, Brenton Thwaites, Rory Cochrane,
Katee Sackhoff, Garrett Ryan
Review:
Oculus is one of those pleasant surprises that randomly pop
up from time to time in the horror genre which is overrun with more crap than
an old portopotty. Oculus is a mind
bender, even if it can turn rather silly at certain points, which play with
time and perception. All the while
maintaining a strong tension throughout while it keeps us guessing whether
things are really happening or not. It
borrows heavily from Japanese horror but make for a rather enjoyable yarn. The cast is lead by the lovely Karen Gillan,
and her bangs, who oversells her part a tad too much in the beginning but
settles into her role as the film moves on.
Brenton Thwaites is a solid counter weight to Gillan’s obsessive
character. Katee Sackhoff is always
excellent playing nutty and she does a good job here even though I was
disappointed by where the story takes her character in the third act. The last act is a fun trip through the fun
house of terrors which messes with your perception enough to keep you on your
toes even if it ends up in a predictable place.
B-
