Hallucinations, spirits, antique mirrors, and gripping, adrenaline-fueled moments dominate the screen in the new drama/horror movie, Oculus. Originally an award winning short-film from 2006, but given the opportunity to be made into a feature film because of its success. Starring Brenton Thwaites, Karen Gillan, Katee Sackhoff, and Rory Cochrane, also written and directed by Mike Flanagan.
The story follows two children who were orphaned ten years ago in a horrific family tragedy that took place in their childhood home and took the lives of both their parents. They then grow up seeking redemption and answers for the events that took place over those fateful days when they were just a couple of young kids.
The movie begins with Tim Russell (Thwaites) being released from protective custody, now as a twenty-one year old, hoping to get on with us life and find some peace and normalcy after he had been penned for the murder of his father. But his older sister, Kaylie Russell, (Gillan) now engaged and well into her twenties, has other plans for her and Tim. She knows what really happened in their childhood home a decade ago, and wants her and Tim to stick to the promise they made as kids and find out what it was that tore their family apart years ago. She tells Tim that she’s tracked down the old antique mirror that used to sit in their dad’s office, which was the cause of absolute chaos and turmoil back when they lived together as a family because of the supposed supernatural spirit that lived inside the mirror. As it turns out, the mirror was a direct result of many other murders in its long history. The story then continues as Tim and Kaylie take the mirror back to their old childhood home to try and resurrect the demons that brought tragedy to their family. But as a result they’re brought into a dark world of hallucinations, evil spirits, and absolute insanity that has them reliving their childhood nightmare all over again.
Through the use of continuous flashbacks and hallucinations, you’re instantly brought on an adrenaline-ride that can’t be predicted. The story merges the past and the present, seamlessly, as they try and solve the mystery that took their parents and stole their sanity. The movie leaves you on the edge-of-your-seat, dying to know what happens next, yet you can hardly keep your eyes open because what unfolds on the screen is so frightening.
One thing is forsure, after seeing Oculus; you will never be able to look in a mirror the same way again.
Oculus hits theatres across Canada on April 11, 2014.
