Ten years ago, tragedy struck the Russell family, leaving the lives of teenage siblings Tim and Kaylie forever changed when Tim was convicted of the brutal murder of their parents. Now in his 20s, Tim is newly released from protective custody and only wants to move on with his life; but Kaylie, still haunted by that fateful n...more
“Less gore and more scares, Oculus is a well-executed horror film that will please fans of the genre. Watch it for the chilling moments!”
Review Oculus & earn 20 DM Points.*
Mike Flanagan is an editor turned director. In 2006 he made a short film called 'Oculus Chapter 3 - The Man With The Plan'. This Oculus, takes off from there and expands the short with a back story.
Tim Russell (Brenton Thwaites) is out after a serving a term in a mental hospital, he was convicted for the murder of his parents . Kaylie Russell (Karen Gillan) is his sister ,who has spent her adult life following and researching on a mirror with supernatural powers, which they both think was the reason for their parents death. Kaylie traces the mirror and brings it back to their old house for a day, to document and prove that the mirror is haunted. What follows is a psycholigical/ supernatural mind game between the haunted mirror and these two.
The film is more of a psychological horror than a scary jump in your seat film. Mike works with a non linear screenplay, that goes back and forth between now, and the events that happened when Kaylie and Tim were kids. The film is well cast and the actors hold the film throughout, aided with an impressive sound design by Stephen Hunter Flick.
There are quite a few jump in your seat moments, but overall it is not a scary film. One thing that works against the film is the way the dead people have been visualised. Not seeing these zombie looking ghosts would have added to the chill factor.
When you discover the traumatic events that Kaylie goes through as a kid, it is hard to believe that she thinks she can kill 'the mirror' with the plan she that she in mind.
I liked that Tim's character, after having been through theraphy, questions everything with a psycholigical reasoning. Wish that aspect would have been explored further, to create an intriguing mind versus supernatual game.
The portion involving the past events reminded me of 'The Shining'. With tighter writing, this could have been a solid horror film.
Word of mouth - Horror fans will find plenty of things to like in this mind bending smartly designed horror film.
Rating - *** ( One Time Watch)
Ticket meter - worth 150 bucks.
