Watch Oculus

Oculus is a 2013 supernatural horror film directed by Mike Flanagan and starring Karen Gillan, Brenton Thwaites, and Katee Sackhoff. The movie tells the story of the Russell family, who undergo a terrifying ordeal after purchasing an antique mirror. The film follows two timelines, one after the mirror has already affected the family and resulted in death, and one before the mirror and its powers are fully understood.

The story follows Kaylie Russell (Karen Gillan) and her brother Tim (Brenton Thwaites) as they confront the malevolent force of the haunted mirror that destroyed their family. Years earlier, their parents Alan (Rory Cochrane) and Marie (Katee Sackhoff) brought home an antique mirror called the Lasser Glass, which they claimed had special properties that could cure illness and prolong youthfulness. As they became more and more consumed by the mirror's influence, they began to experience visions and hallucinations that resulted in a psychotic break.

Kaylie and Tim are determined to prove that the mirror was responsible for the tragic events that happened to their family, and so they begin to investigate the history of the mirror and its past owners. Kaylie's research uncovers the disturbing history of the mirror - it has been responsible for a series of deaths and gruesome murders over the centuries. She is convinced that they can destroy the mirror by creating a situation so unique that it will force the mirror to reveal its true nature.

In the present day, Kaylie is working to set up an elaborate plan to destroy the mirror. Meanwhile, Tim has just been released from a mental institution, and Kaylie wants him to be a part of the plan. The two return to their childhood home and set up cameras and alarms to ensure that they are able to monitor any activity in the house. As the night wears on, the mirror begins to exert its influence, leading to a series of terrifying events.

The film works within the traditional horror genre, setting up a clear villain that the audience is rooting against from the opening shots of the film. The mirror serves as an effective antagonist - it is an inanimate object that consistently instills a sense of dread in the viewer. The director uses the mirror's reflection to create an eerie, unsettling atmosphere that permeates throughout the movie, making it hard to predict when the next scare will occur.

One of the strengths of the film is the interweaving of two timelines. The audience follows Kaylie and Tim's attempts to destroy the haunted mirror, while also seeing glimpses of the events that led to their family's destruction. This narrative device builds tension throughout the film, as viewers watch the two timelines converge towards a climactic ending. The film builds to an exciting and satisfying conclusion that will leave audiences both chilled and entertained.

Overall, Oculus is an excellent example of a modern horror film that deftly uses classic horror tropes to create a genuinely terrifying experience. The film's reliance on atmosphere and tension, rather than gore or jump scares, make it an excellent choice for those seeking something a little more psychologically demanding. The performances of the main cast are all excellent, with Gillan and Thwaites delivering memorable turns as siblings fighting against an unstoppable evil.

Oculus is a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and remind you that sometimes, the scariest things can be found in objects that we take for granted.

Oculus is a 2013 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 61.