Reflecting on Mike Flanagan's Haunted Mirror Movie

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  • Опубліковано 29 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 313

  • @RocklinGraves
    @RocklinGraves  2 місяці тому +12

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    • @Dawnbreakerr
      @Dawnbreakerr 2 місяці тому +1

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  • @SuperflyMiceguy
    @SuperflyMiceguy 2 місяці тому +159

    My only issue with this movie is that the kill switch device absolutely should’ve shattered the mirror regardless if a person was in front of it or not.

    • @dreamerwav698
      @dreamerwav698 Місяць тому +15

      the mother threw shit at it and it didnt do anything. brother its a magic fucking mirror

    • @tevenpowell8023
      @tevenpowell8023 Місяць тому +21

      ​@@dreamerwav698 Except she missed, she didn't actually hit the mirror.
      And when the dad fell backward into it when he was shot it cracked the mirror, So the sister being pinned to it with the anchor should absolutely have broken it.

    • @DonkerDave
      @DonkerDave Місяць тому +5

      @@dreamerwav698did you even watch the movie???????????????¿

    • @Wonzling0815
      @Wonzling0815 Місяць тому +4

      @@tevenpowell8023 The dad's fall didn't damage the mirror. It was the random path/ricochet of the bullet, if I remember correctly. The reason why the bullet was able to damage the mirror was because none of the minds in the room -dad, son, evil mirror- were considering or had considered this possibility.

  • @johnparker4484
    @johnparker4484 2 місяці тому +161

    I remember the scene where he almost convinces her she’s losing it and then they walk back in the house to find the cameras pointed at each other, and they watch the footage of them moving things around with no memory of it
    … I stood up and had to walk off my unease. And the look on the brother’s face when he realized it’s all real and his therapy breakthroughs are a lie… such a chilling scene with zero jumps or gimmicks.

    • @kragary
      @kragary Місяць тому +7

      It's set up so brilliantly. Every time I feel so happy for Kaylee and then I remember it's actually really bad lol

  • @sad_dad
    @sad_dad 2 місяці тому +294

    I love this movie sm. Idk why it’s so underrated. The tone. The atmosphere. The writing. It’s all just so good imo. The ending really does stick with you.

    • @brbaic9364
      @brbaic9364 2 місяці тому +22

      I think it suffered by coming out around the same time as the Conjuring, it kinda got shrugged off as just another jumpscare ghost story.

    • @brandontrammel4581
      @brandontrammel4581 2 місяці тому

      ​@@brbaic9364agreed

    • @iveybullard8988
      @iveybullard8988 2 місяці тому +5

      I agree with you. I love this movie too. Im a big fan of Flanagans work.

    • @drewberriesandcream
      @drewberriesandcream 2 місяці тому +2

      i remember being extremely pleasantly surprised when i first watched it

    • @Futurebound_jpg
      @Futurebound_jpg 2 місяці тому +13

      this is the first horror movie I ever watched where I felt like the characters were really smart, and it seemed like no matter what they did they wouldn’t have been able to beat this thing. How do you beat some thing that can make you hallucinate and think you’re attacking it when you’re actually outside sitting in the grass doing nothing… it has such a strong self defence method.

  • @ethancooper4154
    @ethancooper4154 2 місяці тому +132

    I think Kaylee didn’t show any weakness because I think she THINKS she’s ready to beat it. I think after 20 years she had convinced herself she was capable of beating the mirror. She was wrong, but I think it’s believable that she wasn’t scared

    • @RocklinGraves
      @RocklinGraves  2 місяці тому +22

      Most of my issue isn't that it's not believable, it's that there could've been so much more emotional intrigue through the first act of the movie if she hadn't have been completely confident. I think that struggle would've added a lot to the story and made her character feel more fleshed out

    • @skywalkersbutido6375
      @skywalkersbutido6375 2 місяці тому +1

      @@RocklinGravesnah you’re just nitpicking and that’s the only problem I have with your reviews,they’re all nitpicking instead of actually saying something,denial is a huge part of trauma Kaylee is exactly that,you would have to know trauma to understand this.

    • @RocklinGraves
      @RocklinGraves  2 місяці тому +30

      Probably shouldn't assume things about people's life experience because you don't agree with their opinions on movies... pretty ignorant stance to take when you don't know anything about the actual life experience of someone. That being said, it's not nitpicky, it's a genuine issue that I have with the movie that takes a lot of emotionality out of the first act. A nit pick would be about something inconsequential, and this is not that at all for me. I never once claimed people don't go into denial after traumatic experiences because I know better than to say something that stupid, but my point was that I wanted more dimension out of this aspect of her character, and having wavering confidence would've provided that.

    • @ethancooper4154
      @ethancooper4154 2 місяці тому +11

      @@skywalkersbutido6375 bro how would you know what he’s been through? This is so ignorant

    • @ethancooper4154
      @ethancooper4154 2 місяці тому +2

      @@RocklinGraves yeah thats fair. Her character was pretty stale on the surface through the beginning, and while I’ve never had a problem with that now that I think of how it would change the narrative for her to have that emotion I think that would’ve been great writing

  • @nightfox9
    @nightfox9 2 місяці тому +168

    Something about the dead eyes and flat affect of the father towards the end of this movie has always stuck with me. He’s just so dark and menacing, love that even back then Mike Flanagan knew how to use family dynamics and emotion to crank up the horror

    • @travishughes7221
      @travishughes7221 2 місяці тому +2

      I was going to say the dead eyes or the male lead lol. The guy that plays Tim isn’t a great actor in my opinion and it pulls me out of the movie

    • @casketbase7750
      @casketbase7750 Місяць тому +3

      Fun explanation for that: the dad's actor got the flu during filming, so they filmed his final scenes while he was authentically sickly and sweaty.

  • @JulesA5266
    @JulesA5266 2 місяці тому +120

    This movie is definitely super bleak and psychologically scary. The sense of hopelessness just escalates as the movie continues, and I feel super bad for the siblings. I'll never forget that moment that Kaylee bit into the apple, or the final moment when Tim thought he was destroying the mirror. The way the ghosts had those creepy shiny eyes also freak me out. Definitely an underrated movie.

    • @parkerjohnson-ug1qh
      @parkerjohnson-ug1qh 2 місяці тому +2

      Mirrors for eyes is genius work!!!! This man neeed alll thee awards.With him you see his work get better

  • @Briainna
    @Briainna 2 місяці тому +98

    “Cough”…do Hill House….”cough”

    • @WynneL
      @WynneL Місяць тому

      YES!!!

  • @Mello_nation
    @Mello_nation 2 місяці тому +21

    The “hey little brother” felt like an awkward icebreaker moment for me. Didn’t seem like forced exposition like you said the doctors had already said his sister was picking him up.

  • @alexisd7117
    @alexisd7117 Місяць тому +12

    I always took the pick up scene where she awkwardly says “hey little brother” was intentionally awkward due to the general situation and/or possibly not having spent much time together over the years.

  • @mayhit
    @mayhit 2 місяці тому +59

    So happy to see someone discussing Occulus in 2024!
    The way Kaylie's relationship with her husband feels kind of flat and one-dimensional actually works for me, because I feel like it tracks nicely with the central theme of the movie. I.e. formative trauma, and how it can act as a sort of gravity-well, binding you to the past and dragging you back into situations and behavior patterns that serve to retraumatize you all over again, no matter how much distance you think you've put between yourself and the original trauma.
    The seeming flimsiness of Kaylie's marriage reflects on the consuming nature of her trauma. On the outside, she seems to have moved on, put the past behind her, and built a life for herself. Her career, marriage, bearing, and physical appearance all give the impression of someone who is doing well in life. Yet nothing about Kaylie, outside of her obsession with the mirror, feels quite real. It all feels somehow bloodless and hollow; a facade of something real. It mirrors the way that intense, unaddressed trauma can sometimes cause the sufferer to have severe issues with personal attachment, development, and self-identity down the line.
    For this same reason, I'm inclined to give Kaylie's attitude of unflinching certainty and bravado the benefit of the doubt. Her self-identity is all externalized; a polished exterior, instinctively papered on over something dark and unknowable.
    That said, I do think Karen Gillan's acting lacked a degree of nuance that would have really strengthened our sense of the character. I have no qualms with Karen Gillan and no desire to tear her down (she plays my favorite female MCU character, FWIW). But I do think a more nuanced performance could've brought more to the role of Kaylie.

  • @MistyWarden
    @MistyWarden 2 місяці тому +13

    This is one of my all time favorites. I always had the distinct impression that Kaylee was with her husband mostly as a convenience, she may have genuinely liked him but her whole life was built around her career and her career only served to get her closer to the Lasser Glass again. Her anguish at his death was less losing the love of her life and more “I dragged a good man into my shit and got him killed.”
    The toxic positivity (I’ll prove them all wrong, I can’t fail, I have the perfect plan, I’ll never be the victim again, etc) that she exudes in the first act is also very familiar to me as a coping mechanism but I usually see it in men so it deepens the contrast with her much more passive and realistic brother. And when she’s proven correct that the glass is really supernatural her hubris is her downfall.

  • @hannahbrown187
    @hannahbrown187 2 місяці тому +51

    Would you ever do Midnight Mass? It’s by far my favorite Flanagan project and I’d love to hear your take on it. It’s what’s making me most excited for his take on the Exorcist franchise.

    • @RocklinGraves
      @RocklinGraves  2 місяці тому +12

      Absolutely I will.... eventually....

    • @Sierrabellex
      @Sierrabellex 2 місяці тому +7

      @@RocklinGravesgive us the goods, sir.
      Midnight Mass is amazing and I always love your video analysis.

    • @irockjorts
      @irockjorts 2 місяці тому +5

      I feel like an analysis of Midnight Mass would be at least a 2-3 hour video lol so much to unpack there.

    • @RocklinGraves
      @RocklinGraves  2 місяці тому +2

      @@irockjorts Yeah I don't think there's any way I do a video on any of his series and not making it that long lmao... aside from Bly Manor and Midnight Club I guess

    • @savvi3128
      @savvi3128 21 день тому

      Yes,a deep reflection on Haunting of Hill House, it's theme of grief's as managment by the siblings, music and of course the hidden ghosts. I don't care how long will be your video, i will be the first in line to watch it. Thank you and good luck!

  • @jasonhunter2819
    @jasonhunter2819 2 місяці тому +53

    I disagree with the idea that it's a flaw for Kaley to be completely convinced that the mirror is evil and that she should be acting unsure and afraid. We've seen that a million times, I don't need to see it every time. The way she is she seems like she's a threat, it plays off her brother being certain that he created the story of the night of his parent's death out of trauma by making her seem like an unhinged zealot. Her unwavering conviction of something that seems impossible it way more terrifying because...what if the mirror isn't evil? It's like being around an abused Rottweiler; yes you feel sorry for the terrible things it's endured, but you're also terrified of it lashing out at you.
    The mirror isn't an aggressor, it's a manipulator, so you can't be sure if her mania is the result of the mirror's effects or her own but *she* is certain that she's the one in control. Also...people do act like her, look at the political right in the US right now about the whole Haitian immigrant thing.

    • @Futurebound_jpg
      @Futurebound_jpg 2 місяці тому +15

      I agree completely. She needs to be slightly crazy and irrational because thats the dichotomy in the beginning. Is she right or is the brother right?

    • @lanceupperrcut
      @lanceupperrcut Місяць тому +1

      ​@@Futurebound_jpg precisely

    • @Doggo-frencton
      @Doggo-frencton Місяць тому

      You tied a decade-old psychological horror movie to politics. Derp.

    • @jasonhunter2819
      @jasonhunter2819 Місяць тому +2

      @@Doggo-frencton aww sorry bud, politics are in everything around you, *especially* art! and none of your favorite artists like right wing politics!

  • @Katastr0phic_Katicorn
    @Katastr0phic_Katicorn Місяць тому +9

    As a highly traumatized person, Kaylee's anger is fully natural. The mirror ruined her life, took away her family, and that rage can absolutely be an over the top expression...and still be perfectly natural.
    Fear is what you feel when you don't feel in control. Look at everything Kaylee did to feel in control of the situation. She is fueled by confidence in her plan because she HAS TO BE. Anger is a feeling that allows you to feel control and allows you to feel powerful in the face of uncertainty.
    And...spoilers:
    It usually fucking backfires because it ISN'T really control and is often short lived.
    - an angry, traumatized woman who is in therapy to assist with not also becoming Kaylee one day with my overconfidence drawn by rage.

  • @money1137
    @money1137 2 місяці тому +8

    Kaylees monologue when they’re finally in the house and she’s explaining the history of the mirror altered my brain chemistry. Her cadence, delivery, tone , and pace were all so perfect and engrossed me right away. Ugh love this movie thanks so much for covering it!

  • @johnharris721
    @johnharris721 2 місяці тому +34

    You have to remember, Evan, Flanagan was just beginning to find his footing in horror. Mirrors is one of my, how should i put, pet horrors. They really freak me out.

  • @JustATravelerr
    @JustATravelerr 2 місяці тому +25

    This movie is so under appreciated. It is easily a favorite and so deeply unsettling it still freaks me out when I watch it. A masterpiece

  • @Janae.citizenofearth
    @Janae.citizenofearth 2 місяці тому +10

    Definitely one of my favorite horror films! I love showing it to friends who have never heard of it. It’s genuinely creepy. When watching with subtitles, you’ll notice the mirror actually whispers to the characters. For example, when the dad is prying off his fingernail with the staple remover, the mirror whispers repeatedly, “doesn’t hurt” now that’s chilling!

  • @ryanedwards7487
    @ryanedwards7487 2 місяці тому +10

    "Oculus" is like most of his work--it's a masterclass in horror. On the surface, it honestly sounds like an extremely silly premise--a haunted mirror. But as you watch the movie and see those great uses of reflections and watch the kids' lives fall apart, it absolutely pulls you in. I mean, if you have Netflix, and you haven't watched "Gerald's Game", "The Haunting of Hill House", "[...] Bly Manor", "Midnight Mass", or his latest one "The Fall of the House of Usher", and you love horror...you need to get on that. Honestly, the movie he's done recently I liked the least has been "Doctor Sleep"--and "Doctor Sleep" is FANTASTIC. This man is up there with James Cameron, and Ridley Scott pre-"Alien:Covenant"--if he directs, writes, or produces it, I will spend my money to go see it, always. Full Stop.

  • @Cazu_Orddu_Medea
    @Cazu_Orddu_Medea 2 місяці тому +3

    Starbuck, The Girl Who Waited and Nightwing in one movie with the addition of timey-wimey horror. This might have been the first move I waited for its release back in the day, and boy was it worth it. Even today, this is still one of my favorite horror movies. Loved the haunting series and Occulus both for their amazing time horror with all the sentimentality intact, can't believe I hadn't realized they all were done by the same guy. Wow, Mike Flanagan, I'm not going to forget you this time around.

  • @nickymo
    @nickymo 2 місяці тому +4

    What sticks out to me most watching this video is how much Flanigan has grown in his blocking, editing, lighting, & cinematography slowly but surely. He reminds me of Nolan in that he doesn’t mess with alot of experimental or showy camera motions and editing techniques, but pushes the fundamentals to their limit. Alot of these shots in Occulus look pretty flat and even, it’s nuts how far he would go in the following decade.
    Shoutout to Chris Stuckman’s upcoming Neon horror movie that has Flanigan as a producer. So psyched to see that.

  • @kristym7149
    @kristym7149 2 місяці тому +10

    I remember watching a review of this movie for the first time a couple years ago (I'm a baby and can't get through the movie as a whole) and I was absolutely rocked to the core with the ending. I knew it wasn't gonna be happy but it was so abrupt and shocking. It's so good.

  • @Beepboop68419
    @Beepboop68419 2 місяці тому +15

    Oculus was one of those horror movies that absolutely stuck with me, the premise is so perfectly simple and the scares that come from that absolutely land so well for me. The nail scene and the apple scene are in my horror movie moments hall of fame for the sheer grossness without being over the top.
    Can't wait for the hill house video now 😜

  • @Futurebound_jpg
    @Futurebound_jpg 2 місяці тому +8

    YESSS idk if you saw my comment but i remember asking for a review of this movie!!! Its my favourite horror movie PERIOD even tho dont find it very scary, its just such an incredible story with crazy artistic cinematography. I adore it

  • @jennleemat
    @jennleemat 2 місяці тому +4

    The apple/light bulb scene is SO GOOD! Love this movie!

  • @mysticmelody
    @mysticmelody 2 місяці тому +7

    This movie was a fever dream. I threw it on one day when I was sick, and was blown away.

  • @control_alt_delete4894
    @control_alt_delete4894 2 місяці тому +5

    I watched this as a teen when it first came out and rewatch it every few years. One of my faves.

  • @JASONMONT76
    @JASONMONT76 2 місяці тому +3

    Went in to watching this film with no expectations and was thoroughly impressed by the quality of the acting, tone, and storytelling.
    One of my go to psychological horror flicks.

  • @imissimeem
    @imissimeem 2 місяці тому +5

    Occulus is the worst thing Mike Flanagan has ever made. And it's simply amazing.

  • @WelcomeToTheDarkside
    @WelcomeToTheDarkside 2 місяці тому +2

    The film is an underrated gem. A lot of people don't talk about this movie. Great video.

  • @nephcali
    @nephcali 2 місяці тому +11

    Yayyyyy rocklin posted !!

  • @sundayazuliado7671
    @sundayazuliado7671 Місяць тому +3

    this movie freaked me out so much i still think about it so often bc of the ending and it always makes me think of characters in other movies who survive something supernatural and just have to live with the knowledge that no one else will believe

  • @HURGIIDX
    @HURGIIDX 2 місяці тому +7

    I haven't thought about this movie in a bit, thanks for the video, might be my next rewatch, I remember being surprised how much I liked it back in the day.

  • @rachelz57
    @rachelz57 2 місяці тому +5

    most horror sub genres just arent that scary to me, so i usually watch them for fun rather than to be scared, but this is one of the few that actually managed to terrify me. it zeroed on one of my biggest fears which is not being able to trust your own brain/memory and lost time. My worst nightmare is a tbi causing amnesia and waking up as my 17 year old self 😂

    • @8B1tbreaks
      @8B1tbreaks Місяць тому

      THIS! What it most likely feels like to be either schizophrenic or in a permanent state of hallucinatory psychosis, also my greatest fear.

    • @8B1tbreaks
      @8B1tbreaks Місяць тому

      THIS! What it most likely feels like to be either schizophrenic or in a permanent state of hallucinatory psychosis, also my greatest fear.

  • @X_Leonhart
    @X_Leonhart 2 місяці тому +3

    Instantly clicked when I saw you were reviewing this movie.
    This is one of my favorite horror films ever. I love how is never completely clear if the mirror is haunted, or if the family has some kind of mental health issue.
    A must watch for me every Halloween season.

  • @melodiousmooose5301
    @melodiousmooose5301 2 місяці тому +2

    Before I knew who Mike Flanagan even was and how much I would love his work later, this movie had me FLOORED for how good it was. I literally said the words "this movie was in the hands of someone that knew what they were doing" lol

  • @Zanerli
    @Zanerli 2 місяці тому +3

    This was such a good movie, I would pick random horror films to watch on Netflix and boy, I'm so glad I did. Beautifully done

  • @skye9850
    @skye9850 2 місяці тому +3

    This movie mind boggled me the first time I watched it. It took me a day to process everything. I was 13 or something

  • @joshgorsky5224
    @joshgorsky5224 Місяць тому +1

    I wish I could see your version of this movie! I felt exactly the same about the sister character. She was talking like a detective from a USA crime show

  • @maxrush-hl8ib
    @maxrush-hl8ib 2 місяці тому +1

    I love this movie. The ending is so sad and devastating I still think about it once every 6 months. No joke the first time I watched this movie I nearly cried because of that ending.

  • @kammerer396
    @kammerer396 2 місяці тому +2

    I just commented about this movie not too long ago on a video you did about Mike Flanagan, glad to see it getting some love.
    Also a side note, it took me about 2 years to find this movie on dvd, I looked everywhere for it and finally found a copy at a local book store some time back. Definitely one of the harder films to add to my collection!

  • @spi6ebaby
    @spi6ebaby 2 місяці тому +2

    The wait for this one was so worth it, excellent film and I'm so glad you covered it!

  • @kingchuckfinley
    @kingchuckfinley 2 місяці тому +2

    Loved seeing this movie in theaters. I don’t go to the theater too much anymore, because I find being in the crowd annoying now. However, I remember it amplifying this movie.

  • @kragary
    @kragary Місяць тому +2

    I disagree about Kaylee's characterisation, for multiple reasons:
    1. I feel like her character is what sets this movie apart from other horror movies and makes it memorable. If she had been more scared and unsure, it would have been more traditional, but also more forgettable.
    2. In the first half of the story her self-confidence successfully creates an impression that Tim is dealing with someone who is deeply delusional and will not listen to sense. It's a realistic portrayal of someone whose delusion is their coping mechanism that they can't afford to abandon or even question. Had she been less forceful, it would have been harder to understand why Tim is going along with her. It also sets the audience up to expect her to be proven wrong - which in turn sets up that amazing turning point scene where she's proven right instead. It's very effective storytelling.
    3. It makes the mirror even scarier. Seeing scared uncertain people get beaten by a supernatural threat is one thing, but seeing such a confident, capable and fearless person get completely dismantled and beaten by the end is another entirely.
    4. It's actually kinda necessary for the plot to even happen. If Kaylee had been afraid of the mirror, surely she would have just destroyed the mirror with the anchor-mechanism without ever going anywhere near it herself. But she's not afraid of the mirror... She's afraid of the mirror being just a mirror, because then she would have to blame her parents for everything that happened and that's too painful. I think it's brilliant characterisation and a genius way to make a horror movie plot happen.
    Oculus might be my all time favourite horror movie, and I agree about the ending, it's incredible. If there's one criticism I have, it's that I wish the mirror's effect had been a bit more subtle. There are points in the movie where it seems to have such a power over the minds and perceptions of the characters that the viewer is forced to start questioning everything that is happening on screen to the point where it destroys some of the tension. If the characters could be hallucinating everything then is anything we see at any point real? I wish the mirror had used it's powers slightly more sparingly and struck at moments when you least expect it. Kaylee's death was done perfectly imo.

  • @MikeAmend84
    @MikeAmend84 2 місяці тому +2

    This is one of the first horror movies that actually scared me. Mind you as a horror fan I’m afraid of literally everything that’s why I got into horror to face my fears…. I guess it’s working but I love this movie it’s a comfort movie for me. And Evan (killed it ;) )once again with the video essay!

  • @aliyah6311
    @aliyah6311 Місяць тому

    20:28 this ending stuck with me TO THIS DAY. I literally cried when I first watched it.
    One of my favourites for sure

  • @mirzylove
    @mirzylove 2 місяці тому +1

    Thank you for covering this one 🙏 its one of my earlier horror movies that i feel like doesn't get talked about enough

  • @JynxedTea
    @JynxedTea 2 місяці тому +2

    The Netflix cover for the movie at the time (it was the mom standing in front of the mirror) made me think this movie was a B rate bad horror. But it is now one of my favorites and I find myself thinking about it all the time. I love psychological horror and the horror of not trusting yourself.

  • @mp3holder94
    @mp3holder94 2 місяці тому +1

    Mike is such an amazing director writer and producer. Occulus is so underrated and one of my favorite horror movies!!!
    The Haunting of Hill House, Quickly became my favorite show on Netflix and is always my go to recommendation for any horror fan!

  • @joshuanelson6795
    @joshuanelson6795 2 місяці тому +2

    This movie has one of the most chilling endings I've ever seen in a horror movie (no small feat). It's a bit bleaker than I'd normally like, but undeniably effective.

    • @Futurebound_jpg
      @Futurebound_jpg 2 місяці тому +1

      Same here. Every other horror ending pisses me off like “that was too easy”. Either too easy to kill them all or too easy for them all to survive. But this one??? Damn…. I felt like theres nothing else the characters couldve done differently. Their opponent was too powerful

    • @joshuanelson6795
      @joshuanelson6795 2 місяці тому +1

      @@Futurebound_jpg The ending is pretty depressing, but it isn't one you'll soon forget.

  • @julius-stark
    @julius-stark 2 місяці тому +4

    I like this movie, but I initially kinda hated it because the mirror cannot be beaten. When I first saw it and we get that scene where they see themselves rearrange the cameras, I knew they were doomed. You can never trust your eyes so it can't be beaten.

    • @Futurebound_jpg
      @Futurebound_jpg 2 місяці тому +2

      Thats the best part for me! The second it was over i was mindblown that they finally made a horror opponent that is seemingly unbeatable…. Im so used to demons that can be fought with exorcism and rituals, but this mirror needed to be outsmarted in such a unique way, it was impossible to accomplish.

    • @julius-stark
      @julius-stark 2 місяці тому

      @@Futurebound_jpg I get that, but I like to root for the protagonists to win. Even in films like Rosemary's Baby or The Omen where the bad guys win, there was at least a chance the good guys could win. Knowing the mirror was unbeatable just kinda sucked the fun out of it for me, though I do still like the movie overall.

    • @Futurebound_jpg
      @Futurebound_jpg 2 місяці тому +1

      @@julius-stark I understand! I’m just saying that the reason you dislike this movie is the exact reason that I found this movie unique and compelling! When I tell people why I like this movie, my number one reason is literally because of how smart the opponent is and how incredibly hard it would be to beat 🤣🩷

    • @kragary
      @kragary Місяць тому

      Kaylee could have easily beaten it if she hadn't been so obsessed about proving it's supernatural. All she needed to do was to set up the anchor, have the mirror delivered to the right place, and then go in to set the timer and leave immediately. Don't uncover the mirror, don't explain to it what the timer does, don't engage, don't look back. But that's exactly what she couldn't do.

  • @Horrornurse
    @Horrornurse 2 місяці тому +1

    One of my favorite horror movies. I wish it was more talked about. Glad you made this!

  • @Cameroo
    @Cameroo 2 місяці тому +2

    This was an amazing movie. Really a fan of Mike's work. Thanks for the great review!

  • @JYJnKumi
    @JYJnKumi 2 місяці тому +1

    I love this movie. It's one of my favorite horror films and it cracks me up that it was a Mike Flanagan film. I didn't even know that until last year, and I love Midnight Mass, Hill House and Bly Manor. Honestly, realizing this is another one of his works explains so much.

  • @sliphstream4927
    @sliphstream4927 2 місяці тому +4

    Top 5 horror movies for me. I recommend it to everyone. It's a masterclass in pacing and character interactions. I love that you are never sure if you can believe what you're seeing.

    • @Futurebound_jpg
      @Futurebound_jpg 2 місяці тому +1

      Me too i am a free promoter for this film i love it so much 😂i tell everyone to go watch it, and when i have the opportunity to show someone a movie this is the one i pick.

  • @jasonglaser825
    @jasonglaser825 2 місяці тому +4

    I can’t wait for your Hill House video. That series… changed me. I caught myself intentionally choosing my words in numerous conversations. “Scattered.” “Expected.” “Carcass.” I would let it play (on random) while I went to sleep, but forced myself awake, just to ensure I heard the thud when Arthur bumps into the dresser. I found myself tilting my neck to the right in front of mirrors.
    Please please PLEASE make that video.
    And “drink your tea” in the video!
    I’m still unsure if that series was cathartic or catastrophic for my mental health to this day.

  • @autumnal2894
    @autumnal2894 2 місяці тому +4

    this is one of my favorite horror movies. i kind of disagree though that the movie would be scarier if kaylie wasn' portrayed as a badass fighter--it always struck me as MORE terrifying because of that, and is something that has always made this movie stand out as special to me. i feel like most horror films have unprepared main characters who figure things out on the way and are either in denial or terrified the whole time. seeing kaylie go up against this entity with so much preparation and knowledge and confidence and still getting got made the entity more horrible and scary to me. it makes sense that she would feel so confident because she is going into it knowing what's going on and has prepared most of her life for this fight, as opposed to all the other victims who knew nothing at all. all her preparations made me think she might be able to win, and i was rooting for her because of it. to have my confidence slowly shatter alongside her made me feel more tied to her emotionally and made the ending hit harder.

  • @moviemoth4192
    @moviemoth4192 2 місяці тому +1

    I’m so impressed by the performances in this movie. Allen is a fun one for me bc the only other movie i knew the actor from was dazed and confused and on my 3rd watch i realized it was him and lost it. Such range.

  • @mimmikyute
    @mimmikyute Місяць тому

    I'm so happy to see a recent video covering this gem as someone that was kinda late to the party with the Flanaverse. This movie has so many actors I love from Katee Sackhoff to Karen Gillan to that guy that plays Nightwing in Titans... Watching it after seeing the extended flanaverse connected so many things for me to his recent works and it feels crazy that so many of these actors ended up in his future projects.
    I got my mom to watch this one with me and she didn't like it anywhere near as much as I was hoping she would; but as someone without the Flanaverse connections I think I can understand why it wouldn't hit as hard. I don't really have time to watch this vid right now but I'll be back! I'm just happy to see it getting attention.

  • @itswaltersblue7055
    @itswaltersblue7055 2 місяці тому +2

    I absolutely love your content man! My new favorite horror channel!

    • @RocklinGraves
      @RocklinGraves  2 місяці тому +1

      Wow thank you! Very kind of you to say

  • @PidgeWanderer
    @PidgeWanderer 2 місяці тому +1

    This movie is the only time I've left a theater ever because I found the mom eating the plate (and the earlier fuckery with the staple remover) so unsettling. I would not consider myself squeamish, Flanagan just did such a good job with tone and set up that I was in the right headspace for it to get to me. I've since seen it all the way through along with all of his other work and adored nearly all of it. What a brilliant dude

  • @starrynyny
    @starrynyny 2 місяці тому +1

    This is one of my favorite horror movies so thank you for giving it some attention ❤

  • @Sisren86
    @Sisren86 2 місяці тому +5

    What I find most interesting about this movie as far as production goes is that for some wild reason it was produced by WWE.

  • @cameronundergust132
    @cameronundergust132 2 місяці тому +1

    Looking forward to that Hill House video. That series is probably the movie/series I’ve watched and recommended the most to people. It was so good!

  • @Asin24
    @Asin24 2 місяці тому +4

    I think how Kaylee approached it was perfect. It's been so long since it happened and while I'm sure it scarred her, after so much time I'm sure its built so much resentment in her that has had her planning things out trying to prove her father's innocence and just 'beating' the mirror that had ruined her family. It's not as if she went rushing in blind, she had so much of it planned out and figured out that it makes sense she would be overconfident about it. She knew about what it did to her parents but she wouldn't know just how much power it really had that her far more complex plans wouldn't work and would be foiled.
    Not to mention I think it also works narratively. It allows her to be a strong jusposition to her brother. It also shows the mirror's power how it in ways has power over her even after so long. Given she also seen the mirror at the auction house again, my bet is it also had pulled more of its influence on her then only furthering leading her down the route being so confident as she was likely manipulating her at the very moment she stared at it once again.

  • @oliviabees
    @oliviabees 2 місяці тому

    I just found your channel, and have been seriously bingeing it! Mike Flanagan is one of my favorite creators out there, and I’ve loved seeing you go over some of his works!

  • @absolootlynot
    @absolootlynot 2 місяці тому +1

    Your channel is super underrated! Great video. I can't wait to watch you talk about Hill House, make it as long as you want XD. You should do all of Mike, even Bly and Usher. ❤

  • @tbxvividos
    @tbxvividos Місяць тому

    this is definitely a movie that gets overlooked. i was guilty of it myself, thinking it was going to be just another generic jump scare horror slop. i decided to watch it one night purely out of boredom and i was SHOCKED at how good it was.

  • @paulloughlin3732
    @paulloughlin3732 2 місяці тому +1

    Been looking forward to this!

  • @blessiemasancay4818
    @blessiemasancay4818 Місяць тому

    Yep. I remember this movie , especially for those scenes with her eating the lightbulb, the nail ripped off and the really sad ending.

  • @MKLettis
    @MKLettis 2 місяці тому +2

    Fun spooky movie! Very underrated!
    Mirrors are so under utilized in horror so its cool that there's a movie that revolves around a haunted one.

    • @JulesA5266
      @JulesA5266 2 місяці тому +2

      Thanks to horror movies, mirrors always freak me out and I don't have too many of them around my house. 😬😝

  • @user-bl7kg7tj1c
    @user-bl7kg7tj1c 2 місяці тому

    So excited for your hill house video, great video as always!!

  • @ruffboiALT
    @ruffboiALT Місяць тому

    I've enjoyed your Flanagan videos enough to follow you for no other reason than I desperately want to see your Hill House video. But also your other videos are very engaging!

  • @MusicalJourneysThruCinema
    @MusicalJourneysThruCinema 2 місяці тому +1

    What a coincidence! I was just watching this movie for the first time an hour ago!

  • @Sellner82
    @Sellner82 2 місяці тому +1

    Terrifyingly underrated. Top 10.

  • @Kingofsweaters
    @Kingofsweaters Місяць тому +1

    This is one of my all time favorite horror movies.

  • @Ambishous
    @Ambishous 2 місяці тому +1

    I'm looking forward to that Hill House video 👀

  • @sprontos
    @sprontos 2 місяці тому +2

    This movie reminded me of what an uncomfortable LSD trip feels like.

    • @8B1tbreaks
      @8B1tbreaks Місяць тому

      👆🏻👌🏻🫶🏻

  • @edialves3756
    @edialves3756 2 місяці тому +1

    Came running. Cheers from Brazil 🇧🇷 🇧🇷

  • @TheBeird
    @TheBeird 2 місяці тому +1

    Well that thumbnail is gonna haunt my dreams. I really should check out more Mike Flanagan stuff

  • @thomascombs1802
    @thomascombs1802 2 місяці тому +1

    Hill house is my favorite horror series as well! We need that review

  • @moviemoth4192
    @moviemoth4192 2 місяці тому +3

    15:42 but does Marie actually look like that? Or is it a reflection of the mirrors power? Her corpse photo looked pretty normal and not at all like what she appeared like in the scene we see. Always a touch i loved every time i watch.

  • @mumenRhyder
    @mumenRhyder 2 місяці тому +1

    I feel like this movie gets a lot of hate so I get really happy when I see people talk about the good things. This is one of my favorite movies, it's not perfect but it's the actors and how threatening the mirror is. This is mirror horror done right

  • @goldenknightsfanatic
    @goldenknightsfanatic 2 місяці тому +8

    Let’s get this algorithm juiced

  • @izzycamoc1289
    @izzycamoc1289 Місяць тому

    yessssss finally i see someone talking about this movie. i remember i first saw it with zero expectations but very excited because i was familiar with flanagan's work in hill house and bly manor only to be completely godsmacked with how good i thought it was. of course, i think your criticism is valid but i still think it is a damn good movie, flaws and all.

  • @jpgcne
    @jpgcne 2 місяці тому +1

    To be fair.... I've used "big sis" to my sister in the past. Especially if I haven't seen her. She would say "kiddo" to me. Also, know peeps like this, too. Thanks for the video. I saw this in the theater, too 😊

  • @rubyslippers1935
    @rubyslippers1935 2 місяці тому +2

    I watched this when it was first released on Netflix, not knowing MF at all. Loved it! Found it on Blu-ray in the Walmart $5 movie bin a couple years later. Convinced my husband to watch it. He was so excited to watch another MF movie. Took me a hot minute to connect MF to Hush and the other fantastic films he’s done!

  • @edwardwalsh2766
    @edwardwalsh2766 2 місяці тому

    I haven't watched a video of yours in a while but I'm pretty sure I've never seen you have a sponsor in your video before so well done!

  • @marijastankovic3780
    @marijastankovic3780 2 місяці тому +1

    I remember having paranoia and nightmares for weeks after watching this movie. I asked my little sister to sleep with me in my bed even

  • @KrisKrisKrissy
    @KrisKrisKrissy Місяць тому

    I remember watching this movie, and thinking "Yeah Kaylee, your plan is great, if you didn't explain it all right in front of the mirror." Like getting proof is great, but don't give away your whole gameplay to the enemy. I knew immediately that one of them was getting killed by that anchor. But the suspense in getting there was still great.

  • @MassManicMedia
    @MassManicMedia 2 місяці тому +1

    I always mention oculus as one of if not my favorite horror movie. I never hear anyone talk about it. I love you couldn't tell if it was real or was kaylie losing it until it you found out the truth

  • @JoyaLewisTheMusician
    @JoyaLewisTheMusician Місяць тому

    great video and great ad delivery! like i actually enjoyed the ad bc of your humor lol

  • @jamesabernethy7896
    @jamesabernethy7896 2 місяці тому +1

    A really nice video. I've only recently got into horror and hope to get around to watching this one, it seems to have characters to get invested in. Although I've always loved movies like Alien and The Thing but have always seen them as Sci-Fi first. Because I am interested in special effects, i watched lots of features about horror without having much of a desire to watch the movies themselves. For some reason, I always found them cheesy. But these last couple of years I have been making more of an effort to watch what I would call 'pure' horror. A couple of years ago I started making an effort to watch a few more and I've really been loving it.

  • @ValZeravla
    @ValZeravla Місяць тому

    I watched this film a long time ago and I really liked it. Then I watched The haunting of Hill House and I loved it to pieces! Had no idea they both came from the same mind, but it makes a lot of sense ♥ That man is a genius

  • @svrsl7819
    @svrsl7819 2 місяці тому

    Man I wish there was a much needed introduction to Mike Flanagan's work in the horror genre somewhere to be found.

  • @virginblythe
    @virginblythe Місяць тому +1

    Phenomenal and underrated

  • @3DPrintedProps
    @3DPrintedProps 2 місяці тому +1

    Yep. Such a great movie. He is a master.

  • @adamrabe3105
    @adamrabe3105 2 місяці тому

    Totally forgot Katie Sackhoff (from the Mandalorian) was in Oculus. Crazy callback here.

  • @ErinJeanette
    @ErinJeanette Місяць тому

    I cannot wait until you do the haunting of hill house! The disorienting and dread of overlapping timelines while people hallucinate and have a house of leaves touch is the perfect kind of horror and I watch the series at least once a year. Stephen is still my favorite character. I watched oculus once and thought it was good but it was the overlapping time and events happening simultaneously creeped me out immensely