Having shattered an unethically thin collin’s glass in my mouth and carefully extricating the shards whilst my dumb brain bombarded me with intrusive thoughts to swallow, all at age 12, I couldn’t finish the film my first three runs. Someone had to assure me that I wasn’t going faint and die and that the scene wasn’t that bad before I could get through it.
This was my first exposure to her as an actress, followed by Guardians of the Galaxy (although I didn't make the connection between the two at the time). I didn't start watching Doctor Who until later on and when I realized why Amy Pond looked so familiar to me, I was surprised. I was like "Oh wow I didn't know she was Scottish, cool!" But re-watching this film you can tell she's working hard at covering her accent. ;)
The alternating timelines, the deep-rooted childhood trauma, figuring out what's real or not, this movie basically walked, So "The Haunting of Hill House" could run.
There's actually a mirror in America that is supposed to hold the spirits of a mother and her daughter's. The people in the house were supposed to cover up every mirror after they died but missed this one. People have reportedly seen the three in the mirror
In many cultures, you could use mirrors to see past the glamour used by fairyfolk. A good example of this is from the horror movie The Hole in the Ground.
I think Oculus wasn't taken seriously because it was a WWE studios film. But, Mike Flanagan proved that comeon, that's not the reason to hate the studio and write off the movie altogether. Mike Flanagan is known for "the haunting of hillhouse" but Oculus was his starting point, a fantastic horror movie. And a director to look forward to.
His starting point was actually Absentia. Pretty good mystery/horror despite the low budget. Before The Hauting of Hill House and Gerald's Game he also did Hush and Before I wake. The last one is mediocre but Hush is one of the very few home invasion movies I like.
One of my favourite Easter eggs is that the Oculus mirror can be seen on the mansion’s wall in Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House (which Mike Flannigan also directed)
I watched this movie with a bunch of my friends late at night, first starting with ripping on it and making little jokes but slowly everyone got really into it, becoming increasingly tense and earnestly watching to the very end. My friend whose apartment we were watching the movie at also had a giant mirror in the hallway to her bathroom and everyone outright refused to walk by it alone. I now still don’t trust mirrors a *little bit* because of oculus
I remember being told that mirrors trapped souls when they were set in front of each other when I was young. I still get a bit weirded out having to walk between two mirrors.
I thought it was just a simple interview at the beginning but then I saw Ryan and was like: "Oh my gosh hey he made it guys! He's conducting interviews with major directors!" Congrats man. :)
@@RetroBacon1 For me, this is the first time I'm seeing this interview, but I haven't watched every single video of Ryan's so you could be right I don't know. But hopefully he will do more in the future!
@@RetroBacon1 Do you know where to watch it? I tried looking around but all I could find was one by Eric Eisenberg from CinemaBlend and another by Tatiana Hullender from Screen Rant
Yes! I was waiting for you to cover this one! And the mirror should have broke at the end. Even if the failsafe weight went through Kailey’s neck, that wouldn’t have been enough to totally stop its momentum. To me, I feel like that would have been more impactful as a way of saying “we’ve won, but at what cost?” But that’s my opinion of course.
Yeah I kind of agree there- even her being shoved against the mirror with that force would crack it. You can even see there's a point where she's pinned that should go into the mirror.
in short, no. it is almost a lovecraftian horror. it cannot be stopped by such simple means. the fail-safe was a brilliant way to stop it, but the mirror will trick you into defending it, in any way it can. It's like saying he should have broken the mirror with the chair in the beginning. it is a force of nature, something otherworldly, and therefore cannot be stopped by any conventional means. also, winning but at what cost... doesnt work in this aspect because they are fighting something so much larger than themselves, you have no idea what the mirror is capable of, nor of what it actually even is. it only 'shows up in history' at some point, it may have always been. two kids from the suburbs aren't going to stop it. what is more tragic, winning but at a great cost, or losing at great cost, also with 0 affect on the thing you were trying to stop? To bring it back to lovecraftian horror... you never, ever win. at best, you delay the inevitable a the cost of your life or sanity, but you never actually stop it.
@@abisspassenger Well they were trying not to break it because technically it didn't belong to them. Someone bought it at an auction and she only had like 5 days with the thing before it needed to be shipped out. The anchor was only a last resort. :(
Since the first time I watched "Oculus" I thought the concept was brilliantly executed. The best thing about the film is the way it tells itself showing the story in parallel times, combining scenarios, key moments and traumas of the past in present time events. Furthermore, the psychological mindgames that the mirror plays with their victims and the ways it confuses the protagonists and the audience as well. I love to see someone who also appreciates this movie as well. 🤠 (Excuse my English)😅
Oculus is def. a movie that I think requires more than one viewing to appreciate. I remember my mom and I checking it out because we're always up for a good supernatural horror romp, but leaving it really confused and somewhat underwhelmed by it due to the constant bleeding boundaries between the past and the present. But after looking it over some time later, I've come to appreciate its unique use of its concept and the literal mirroring of Kaylie and Tim's past and present experiences with the mirror, especially considering how much they resemble their parents as adults (both men are brunettes and both women are redheads, for instance).
Despite how much the ending sorta jumps into the deep end of supernatural, it's the only horror movie who's ending had made me cry, not from fear, but from sadness. Granted I was in my early teens and sleep deprived, but still. It's one of those movies where you actually want them to win, but of course that was never an option.
I know this is a late reply, but yeah, that sadness is what impacted me the most with this film. The movie makes it pretty clear early on that they can’t win this fight, but as you get to know the characters and care about them, you dread their inevitable fates. Even when you know what is going to happen, seeing it unfold is incredibly sad.
I'm glad I'm not the one. This is one of those rare moments that I cried at the end of a horror movie. No jump scares, no creatures popping up out of the mirror. Just the cold stare the family had looking at him as he's carried off in the police car. The only one left to love him and believe him was yet another victim to be claimed by the mirror. The movie foreshadowed the events that was yet to come at the end of the movie like the mirror still had a psychological hold on them til it brought them back to it's presence.
Oculus was vastly underated. Not the best but still great. A movie willing to be mysterious rather than spoon feed all of the answers. I wasn't even looking at the screen when the clip happened but the crunch of that lightbulb still made me shutter
The scene of the lightbulb biting gives me shivers every time, even if you see it coming you never fully expect it until it happens and its so simple yet so horrifying
My older brother would always tell me this was the only horror movie that actually scared him. It's one of my favorite horror movies. Also, you should cover The Raven (2012). It's a horror movie that is basically a fictitious "what-if" scenario regarding the mysterious circumstances around Edgar Allan Poe's death. Not a lot of people have seen it or even know about it, so I always try to encourage people to watch it.
i just rewatched oculus a couple weeks ago and i thought it was pretty good. i think the first sinister was also good, besides the atrocious ending. Good horror movies are so rare nowadays since they became the cheap cash grab of film
ugh i absolutely loved oculus and think it's pretty underrated as far as psychological/supernatural horror goes, the lightbulb apple scene is so god damn visceral
Claytons Movie Reviews “you keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means” couldn’t help myself and I do hope you get the reference lol
When I watched years and years ago on Netflix all my friends fell asleep before me one by one, so by the end of the movie when everything got batshit crazy I was the only one left awake and I legitimately have never been more scared before or since. It mindfucked me so hard I couldn't tell what was real or not anymore. I was also high as balls so that didn't help.
@Marco Soto I love that book! Didn't really like the ending (far too depressing for me), but man, what an atmosphere. . . "at a certain depth, water becomes a barrier from all you remember, all you think you know. . ." And his first sight of the Trieste was chilling.
When you said: "And even the device you're watching this on... Hi there!" If you blacked the screen and I saw my mug staring back at me.... We'd be having words.
I remember I watched the movie because of Karen Gillian, so I begged my friends to watch it together and no one expected much of it but we were really intrigued and discussed everything that happened. We got divided opinions just like the siblings, it was a really cool experience and we really enjoyed the movie.
Oculus has become my all-time favorite horror movie. It's dark, twisted, confusing, and the ending still makes me sob while being angry that Tim is forced back to an institution where he knows what happened, but will end up being convinced he purposefully killed his sister. I love this movie. This and the Spanish film "The Orphanage" are my top 3.
I’m so glad this movie is being finally appreciated and re-evaluated. This is the only movie that ever accomplished making me question reality even after the credits rolled. Also the lightbulb scene... whew. Still remember that.
So many basal disturbing archetypes done correctly in this move that are so effective... light bulb scene, mother trying to strangle her children, the DOG 😢, accidentally killing ones own significant other... and it actually has a convincing story... cannot look away while watching
First horror movie I ever watched when I was 11 years old. I wouldn’t have ever touched the genre if it wasn’t for this movie and the fact Karen Gillian was in it
Is no one else gonna comment on the fact that between the two siblings, the brother gets carted off to an insane asylum for pulling the trigger out of self defense, and his sister gets to live a perfectly normal life despite being obviously the more mentally disturbed?
I thought it was because it's easier to pin the blame on the one that pulled the trigger as opposed to a seemingly disturbed girl that just went through the same traumatic thing but technically didn't hurt anyone
@POOL'S CLOSED DUE TO CRONA AIDS I think it could be argued that the sister is more mentally disturbed BECAUSE she wasn't admitted to a psychiatric facility like her brother was. He was forced to get help to process and rationalize the trauma of their childhood, but she wasn't. so her paranoia and obsession with the mirror festered and grew, while her brother was able to move on. that's why they're so different in the present day
,,his sister gets to live a perfectly normal life" I don't know about that. She seems more obsessed than the brother. Also, the movie kept mentioning how the brother was helped (by getting medical treatment, therapy and so forth) while the sister had to be on her own.
It would've been kind of funny if at the end of the film, one of the cops accidentally knocked the mirror over, smashing it. And he just looks at his fellow officers and gives a shrug like, "Oops!"
I feel like almost every horror movie like this falls into the same trap. "Is it all in their head or is it real" always ends up being actual ghosts. Oculus, The Shining, Hereditary. The intention is pretty clear, but i guess you could argue Oculus and The Shining.
@@esppupsnkits4560 ya but there was a very real demonic power unleashed by the cult. A cult can't make a mother go crazy and then literally float around and cut her head off or bang her head on the cellar door holding onto the ceiling upside down lmao. So not technically ghosts but supernatural in nature which is what i think the commenter meant more than just actual ghosts in general. The supernatural element verus the natural element
I don't know I feel like going the opposite way is even more unsatisfying. I think the problem isn't which one to pick but just that giving a definitive answer either way makes it less scary.
Honestly an underrated horror movie imo, of course could be better but I think for a film to balance not only two storylines but two conflicting opinions both that are realistic but could theoretically be proven is fantastic. I’m sick of people being like “uhh the ghost isn’t real bc ghosts aren’t real you’re making it up” without any reason for why the person may be making it up. As you said, either Tim or kailey are correct, and both are chilling possibilities
I'm surprised you thought that the movie was keeping up an "is it real or is it a hallucination?" premise, for me that question was answered objectively when they come back into the room and the cameras have moved. That moment is when the brother accepts the situation and I saw it as the movie saying "yes, the ghost mirror is real, now lets get on with the good stuff."
Thank you! I love this video but was thinking “Wait wasn’t the whole point that it IS supernatural and they’re fighting tooth and nail to not be tricked by the mirror?”
I always felt like the mirror from Oculus was something ripped out of an SCP. Just a really bizarre supernatural concept that isn't tied to something like an angry ghost being the cause, it just is.
As a kid--and even a little into my early teen years--I always, ALWAYS made sure to sleep with my back to my big dresser mirror, terrified that I might wake up some night and see... *something,* maybe my own reflection, grinning back at me with black, doll-like eyes dripping blood. And I had no doubt if that ever happened, I'd be so paralyzed with fear I'd be unable to scream. It's a miracle I ever made it through this movie, let alone would consider it among my favorite horror films.
It's weird that last night I stared at myself in the mirror in low light until my face contorted into monstrous shapes looking me in the face. Then you drop this the next day. I'd end up back in the hospital over this if I wasn't medicated XD
This was the first horror movie in many years that gave me nightmares! I no longer have a mirror in my bedroom, it got me that freaked out, and I was in my early 40’s!
This was one of those horror movies I'd only seen on a shelf here or there when it came out, but when I got around to watching it I was pleasantly surprised and on the edge of my seat for most of it. I'm unsure why you were disappointed with the ending though, an alternate take I had was that he'd become delusional from listening to his sister's ramblings for so long, and her specter was a manifestation of his guilt for putting her out of her misery. Never thought about describing the mirror as lovecraftian but I can see why and agree with that! Definetly one I'd say is worth watching at least once, but not while you're eating or hungry lol. However I'd say Oculus was unquestionably better than Hereditary for a couple reasons; In Oculus the family felt close to begin, with and we watch their spontaneous deterioration with it scaring the kids for life, yet despite their conflicting perspectives they remain close. But in Hereditary the family was already dysfunctional at the start, so we begin having the expectation for their relationships to break, and even then it was neither satisfying nor believable that they'd still be close like a family. Oculus blended the lines between reality and fiction quite smoothly, keeping suspense and skepticism in the balance with both portrayals as a reasonable possibility. Hereditary instead just hangs blatant cult like activity on the edge of the screen, before the supernatural stuff starts, but even then wasn't really questionable on what was going on because its subtlety was as clever as a brick to the face.
Totally underrated film, thanks for giving it the attention it deserves. I think my favourite thing about it is how each sibling has a logical train of thought, but they're coming from completely different directions and both of them are clearly deeply damaged people. Plus the film is a great blend of psychological and (possibly) cosmic horror you don't see all that often. Also, here's a fun fact - the same mirror also made an appearance in Haunting of Hill House, another one of Mike Flanagan's projects.
Yeah the story of someone looking into the mirror and seeing the image of his dead relative is why I don't like mirrors at night. I refuse to have mirrors in my room because of this lol.
I watched this film at midnight when I was new to horror and the ending genuinely left me with a sense of dread and bleakness. The film has a quite simple premise but its storytelling elevates the intrigue of the plot and gives the antagonistic mirror a truly sinister element, making you truly root for the characters yet still hinting at the unfortunate fate that awaits them. The film also introduced me to Karen Gillan whom I now consider one of the most versatile actresses of this generation. I think we can all agree that Mike Flanagan is now one of the heavy hitters in horror who knows how to create a haunting (sorry for the bad pun 😉) atmosphere and build a satisfying suspense that separates his works from a typical jumpscare filled horror flick or unimaginative remake.
On the subject of mirrors done right, the mirror room from silent hill 3 will always be one of the scariest things I've ever experienced. When mirrors are done right, they're done _right_
I usually dont like horror movies but this is one i really respect...the concept itself is so haunting: a mirror that induces hallucinations into the minds of those that look into it and causes them to go insane. Thats bloody brilliant
I once took some mushrooms and stared into a mirror and while I was totally aware that the person in the mirror was me, somehow my brain didn;t register that and registered it as if I was staring at a other person. it should have been scary, but I remember being pretty entertained by the person in the mirror
I remember also doing this on a shroom trip and also flicking the lights on and off. Sounds scary sober but wasn’t while under the influence. Something about the image in the mirror made me think I was looking at a rock star.
I absolutely love how Mike Flanagan references the mirror visually in a lot of his other movies. It appears in Ouija Origin of Evil, Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep, blending in with the background. And the lower side of the mirror, turned upside down, is the bedframe from Gerald's Game.
Hey Ryan! I've been a huge fan of your videos for awhile and was waiting for you to review Oculus for so long!! Your passion for analyzing the horror genre or any genre is inspiring and amazing! I'd recommend analyzing Atm (2012), like Oculus it has many flaws but the tragic reality of it makes it truly horrifying. Keep up the awesome work man!
I found it fascinating when someone pointed out that the concept of the self or self image changed when mirrors became common. It used to be that the reflected self was gathered in bits and pieces from the people around you. The self wasn’t something you could see unless you had a still pool, spent tons of money or visited a Buddhist temple (you may not have looked at yourself in the mirror though). The history of mirrors is interesting.
Honestly, this movie would've been lot better with much less supernatural stuff. And the kill switch was a hardest things to ignore, because of how ridiculously over the top it is, that you know it will end up killing someone. Which makes me think it was intentionally made that way to sell better, because of course it would.
For my mom's people, reflections are only a danger when someone close to you dies. The reflection acts as a medium and if you look into a mirror there is a chance the dead person will look at you and try to take you with them. I know it is based more on the fact that if certain people look at themselves in a state of grief they may try to go into the reflection, which back in the day would have been ice cold lakes or the ocean. The issue is that my great grandmother passed away when I was a young teen and we covered all the mirrors in the house as per the custom, then while in mourning we decided to watch the first episode of Sleepy Hallow(tv series). There is a scene where the mirror shows a forest in another plane of existence and a demon comes through, snaps a dude's neck and is back in the forest before he gets a chance to blink. Have really avoided looking into a mirror for too long ever since.
A circular opening known as the oculus lets the only light in to the Pantheon. The oculus is about 30 feet across. The purpose of the oculus was not only to illuminate the interior but it was also built to let those in the temple contemplate the heavens (Oxford definition sourced via Google). This movie spooked me almost as much as Lake Mungo
VERY bold of you to put that razor ad and lightbulb scene almost back to back, Ryan. I'll check out the sponsor for your sake, but after that I'm gonna need to stay away from sharp objects for, oh, say, forever.
I have this irrational fear of mirrors that I can't seem to get over. To my mind there is nothing more damnable than looking into a mirror in dim or no light. I feel as though satan or one of his demons will come for my soul if I look too long into a darkened mirror.
hi there! im an occultist irl. mirrors are a common tool, especially in low light, for doing entity work, through a process wherein we mildly hallucinate as a result of our brain trying to compensate for low, inconsistent light, while looking at something that should be a face, through a layer which affects our depth perception. basically, mirrors can be confusing, especially in low light, and this gives us a tool for entity work. if youre looking to protect yourself, i can offer you the solace that, in real life, demons dont come after people, and are generally pretty respectful of boundaries. although lovecraftian entities are less respectful, theyre also infinitely less likely to take interest in a lowly human. hope this was helpful!
I think the intention was that the mirror actually did have a supernatural influence to it the whole time and that Tim's skepticism was to add uncertainty in who is more sane for the first part of the movie, but as the movie goes on the uncertainty goes from "is the mirror really haunted or not" to "is this reality or is the mirror tricking them" I think the scene when Tim and Kaylee didn't realise they stacked the equipment in front of the mirror until they watched the playback starts this shift because it shows that the mirror does have the ability to change their perceptions of reality at the same time.
Honestly...ive always found the first candyman to be absolutely terrifying ...the use of mirror metaphors, sound design, and pure cinematic genius design...that said oculas is genuinely disturbing and one of the best horror movies in recent memory
I love that you played part of the face melting scene from Poltergeist. That scene messed me up as a kid, easily the only part in the movie I legit got scared of.
I did not at all get a "its not actually happening they're just crazy" angle at all, I don't know how you could watch the start and get the sense that its psychological. I think you just started looking for the film you wanted it to be over what it was, then got disappointed when it wasn't that thing.
Yeah I saw it as more of a 'she's fully bought into it while he remains skeptical' thing where shit was obviously supernatural or at least affecting them in a major way too.
also after this video I might watch it a THIRD time just to see if I had the supernatural mirror feeling so strong bc of MY biases (typical use of mirror in horror movies, in myths; aligning myself more with the female character etc.)
Yes I agree, it was clear from the start that there was never a real question of the mirror's supernatural nature, that question was merely used, and used well, as part of the thematic structure of the siblings' dialogue. It's a necessary and well used tool, but never did I get the impression that the audience was meant to be "questioning everything", especially as the film goes forward. Feels like a very silly criticism that is more the fault of the critic. Otherwise good review though.
I saw it that way for a bit at the start and probably longer than I should have just because I liked the idea but by the time stuff really kicks off I had to fully give it up and agree it's all real, she was right the whole time and he was denying it.
The raw idea that something is evil just because is somehow quite funny to me, and I like to see it. It doesn't need a reason to do what it does. It just does it, and you suffer the effects of those actions without understanding or even just knowing why. Also, the harsh conflict between sister and brother brings up a favorite quote of mine: Am I insane, or is everyone else? About the ending, I actually think Tim was insane the whole time. He kept seeing the mirror ghosts and crazy shit his sister did, but convinced himself it was all in his head and until the very end, when his sister's mania convinced him that everyone else was insane, only for him to be completely wrong and snap right back into self-doubt and self-destruction. The mirror was more than a reflection, it was a deflection from his most important detail: he's still insane. His sister couldn't handle that her father was a liar, cheater, and unhinged, and her ravings about evil mirrors with unlimited power caused her brother to relapse and just loose it.
*What should I talk about next?* ... also... *what's the best horror mirror?*
Thanks for watching!!
Please review the wailing
exorcist 3 or the hitcher (1986)
Please do The Lighthouse (and maybe The Witch too so you can compare the two since they're from the same director)
Best horror movie mirror? Easy, the two-way from Phantom of the Opera! :)
I would recommend talking the movie threads. You can rent the movie on amazon
The lightbulb biting scene still haunts me to this day
Having shattered an unethically thin collin’s glass in my mouth and carefully extricating the shards whilst my dumb brain bombarded me with intrusive thoughts to swallow, all at age 12, I couldn’t finish the film my first three runs. Someone had to assure me that I wasn’t going faint and die and that the scene wasn’t that bad before I could get through it.
Even though they used that scene for all the trailers of this movie, it still carries an impact to this day
One of my fave scenes in one of my fave movies
That's why I stopped eating apples, now I'm stalked everyday by doctors
@@Nedded 👏👏👏
Karen Gillian desperately trying not to be Scottish is my favorite part of this movie.
This was my first exposure to her as an actress, followed by Guardians of the Galaxy (although I didn't make the connection between the two at the time). I didn't start watching Doctor Who until later on and when I realized why Amy Pond looked so familiar to me, I was surprised. I was like "Oh wow I didn't know she was Scottish, cool!" But re-watching this film you can tell she's working hard at covering her accent. ;)
Nebula has gone through some shit.
She's so cute she could use her native accent and say she's from Cleveland and I'd just smile and nod.
I just realized it was her during the spitting glass scene and I was like POND?!?!
Karen Gillian's hair swinging back and forth in one of the opening shots is my favorite part of the movie.
The alternating timelines, the deep-rooted childhood trauma, figuring out what's real or not, this movie basically walked, So "The Haunting of Hill House" could run.
Mike Flanagan directed/wrote both of them!
It should be noted that mirrors have a role in various cultures around the world, most of them mentioning mirrors holding the ghosts of the deceased.
There's actually a mirror in America that is supposed to hold the spirits of a mother and her daughter's. The people in the house were supposed to cover up every mirror after they died but missed this one. People have reportedly seen the three in the mirror
Yeah- there are several cultures that cover mirrors so souls won't be trapped in them.
Indeed, there are superstitious nutters everywhere.
In many cultures, you could use mirrors to see past the glamour used by fairyfolk. A good example of this is from the horror movie The Hole in the Ground.
just like the belief that camera captures a persons soul
I think Oculus wasn't taken seriously because it was a WWE studios film. But, Mike Flanagan proved that comeon, that's not the reason to hate the studio and write off the movie altogether. Mike Flanagan is known for "the haunting of hillhouse" but Oculus was his starting point, a fantastic horror movie. And a director to look forward to.
He also did the excellent Gerald's Game. And he also loves to put the Oculus mirror in all of his works, which is neat.
@@claireredfield624 Man I loved Gerald's Game- it was an impressive accomplishment considering most of the film is just 1 person trapped in a room
His starting point was actually Absentia. Pretty good mystery/horror despite the low budget. Before The Hauting of Hill House and Gerald's Game he also did Hush and Before I wake. The last one is mediocre but Hush is one of the very few home invasion movies I like.
@@carolyingfa Absentia has the best build-upand reveal in any horror movie for me.
@@bullo247 It was so good. The only thing that bugs about that movie is why every actor only had one set of clothes?? 😂
One of my favourite Easter eggs is that the Oculus mirror can be seen on the mansion’s wall in Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House (which Mike Flannigan also directed)
The haunting of hill house it's self is amazing, it has my favourite ending to a series of all time
Its also in ouija origins in the basement
God I can’t wait for bry manor hill house was amazing.
I never noticed this!!! 🤯🤯 thanks!
I actually didn’t like hill house. The ending ruined it for me
I watched this movie with a bunch of my friends late at night, first starting with ripping on it and making little jokes but slowly everyone got really into it, becoming increasingly tense and earnestly watching to the very end. My friend whose apartment we were watching the movie at also had a giant mirror in the hallway to her bathroom and everyone outright refused to walk by it alone. I now still don’t trust mirrors a *little bit* because of oculus
How old are you? And how old were you when you watched the movie?
I remember being told that mirrors trapped souls when they were set in front of each other when I was young. I still get a bit weirded out having to walk between two mirrors.
I thought it was just a simple interview at the beginning but then I saw Ryan and was like: "Oh my gosh hey he made it guys! He's conducting interviews with major directors!" Congrats man. :)
Isnt this like the fourth time hes shoved that one interview into his videos though? haha I wonder if he even will do more.
@@RetroBacon1 For me, this is the first time I'm seeing this interview, but I haven't watched every single video of Ryan's so you could be right I don't know. But hopefully he will do more in the future!
Ryan should start doing reviews of new horror movies! I think he has a good eye for analyzing horror
D.J. Rose he’s actually really good at interviews! I remember watching the full interview of his for invisible man and it was really interesting
@@RetroBacon1 Do you know where to watch it? I tried looking around but all I could find was one by Eric Eisenberg from CinemaBlend and another by Tatiana Hullender from Screen Rant
I've always found this movie to be more of a lovecraftian horror, with the mirror being the monster that cannot be truly understand or really defeated
Yes! I was waiting for you to cover this one!
And the mirror should have broke at the end. Even if the failsafe weight went through Kailey’s neck, that wouldn’t have been enough to totally stop its momentum. To me, I feel like that would have been more impactful as a way of saying “we’ve won, but at what cost?”
But that’s my opinion of course.
Yeah I kind of agree there- even her being shoved against the mirror with that force would crack it. You can even see there's a point where she's pinned that should go into the mirror.
YYYYYYYYEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS THIS RIGHT HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On top of being an excellent horror would also be a tragedy!
in short, no.
it is almost a lovecraftian horror. it cannot be stopped by such simple means. the fail-safe was a brilliant way to stop it, but the mirror will trick you into defending it, in any way it can. It's like saying he should have broken the mirror with the chair in the beginning. it is a force of nature, something otherworldly, and therefore cannot be stopped by any conventional means.
also, winning but at what cost... doesnt work in this aspect because they are fighting something so much larger than themselves, you have no idea what the mirror is capable of, nor of what it actually even is. it only 'shows up in history' at some point, it may have always been. two kids from the suburbs aren't going to stop it. what is more tragic, winning but at a great cost, or losing at great cost, also with 0 affect on the thing you were trying to stop? To bring it back to lovecraftian horror... you never, ever win. at best, you delay the inevitable a the cost of your life or sanity, but you never actually stop it.
They could have stopped the damn thing by shooting at it from a distance. That's my opinion.
@@abisspassenger Well they were trying not to break it because technically it didn't belong to them. Someone bought it at an auction and she only had like 5 days with the thing before it needed to be shipped out. The anchor was only a last resort. :(
Since the first time I watched "Oculus" I thought the concept was brilliantly executed. The best thing about the film is the way it tells itself showing the story in parallel times, combining scenarios, key moments and traumas of the past in present time events. Furthermore, the psychological mindgames that the mirror plays with their victims and the ways it confuses the protagonists and the audience as well. I love to see someone who also appreciates this movie as well. 🤠
(Excuse my English)😅
Your English is very good, don't be concerned!
Oculus is def. a movie that I think requires more than one viewing to appreciate. I remember my mom and I checking it out because we're always up for a good supernatural horror romp, but leaving it really confused and somewhat underwhelmed by it due to the constant bleeding boundaries between the past and the present. But after looking it over some time later, I've come to appreciate its unique use of its concept and the literal mirroring of Kaylie and Tim's past and present experiences with the mirror, especially considering how much they resemble their parents as adults (both men are brunettes and both women are redheads, for instance).
All of it. I blame all of it on the couch.
Sequel: SETTEE
The cat comes back, it's got a cool eyepatch now and drinks scotch.
For a second I thought you said you blamed it all on your crotch.
@@redforest9269 No, that is a very different movie.
@@TeatroGrotesco Any specifically? Or just any different one which meets the criteria?
Thrid in the trilogy: Ottoman
Despite how much the ending sorta jumps into the deep end of supernatural, it's the only horror movie who's ending had made me cry, not from fear, but from sadness. Granted I was in my early teens and sleep deprived, but still. It's one of those movies where you actually want them to win, but of course that was never an option.
I know this is a late reply, but yeah, that sadness is what impacted me the most with this film. The movie makes it pretty clear early on that they can’t win this fight, but as you get to know the characters and care about them, you dread their inevitable fates. Even when you know what is going to happen, seeing it unfold is incredibly sad.
I'm glad I'm not the one. This is one of those rare moments that I cried at the end of a horror movie. No jump scares, no creatures popping up out of the mirror. Just the cold stare the family had looking at him as he's carried off in the police car. The only one left to love him and believe him was yet another victim to be claimed by the mirror. The movie foreshadowed the events that was yet to come at the end of the movie like the mirror still had a psychological hold on them til it brought them back to it's presence.
Oculus was vastly underated. Not the best but still great. A movie willing to be mysterious rather than spoon feed all of the answers.
I wasn't even looking at the screen when the clip happened but the crunch of that lightbulb still made me shutter
The scene of the lightbulb biting gives me shivers every time, even if you see it coming you never fully expect it until it happens and its so simple yet so horrifying
The lightbulb scene and the reveal is so well-shot and executed.
That lightbulb scene is so uncomfortable for me
that, and the part where the dad takes off his finger nails oh god
My older brother would always tell me this was the only horror movie that actually scared him. It's one of my favorite horror movies. Also, you should cover The Raven (2012). It's a horror movie that is basically a fictitious "what-if" scenario regarding the mysterious circumstances around Edgar Allan Poe's death. Not a lot of people have seen it or even know about it, so I always try to encourage people to watch it.
@stockart whiteman it's involves a serial killer killing people to resemble Poe's stories with John Cusack playing Poe
i fucking love the raven. it has such an awesome world building & ambience.
i just rewatched oculus a couple weeks ago and i thought it was pretty good. i think the first sinister was also good, besides the atrocious ending. Good horror movies are so rare nowadays since they became the cheap cash grab of film
I love that interview you did, exclusively because you look like you're cosplaying Spongebob.
It's a look and you're pulling it off tbh fam bro mate
Well, it was Flanagan's pet project and he got some good names on it. I honestly didn't look ate an apple for months after this one.
Skeleton Key and Black Swan managed to use mirrors in a pretty original way
Skeleton key was so good
@@aldenwashington3285 I have been dying for a copy of that movie! 🗝️
I LOVE Skeleton Key! That is such a neat and creepy movie!
Well i mean black swan was heavily influenced by perfect blue which also used mirrors (in a much better way imo)
ugh i absolutely loved oculus and think it's pretty underrated as far as psychological/supernatural horror goes, the lightbulb apple scene is so god damn visceral
Can you believe WWE Studios was involved in making this? Their name is attached to something good for once! That's inconceivable!
Fighting with my family is a great film they've produced too
Yes. That's two good movies under their belt.
@@AnimatorDemon True, but if they were going to get one thing right it was going to be that one.
Claytons Movie Reviews “you keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means” couldn’t help myself and I do hope you get the reference lol
Wait WWE as in the wrestling federation or I’m I misunderstanding things here, because if so that’s awesome, didn’t think they made movies.
When I watched years and years ago on Netflix all my friends fell asleep before me one by one, so by the end of the movie when everything got batshit crazy I was the only one left awake and I legitimately have never been more scared before or since. It mindfucked me so hard I couldn't tell what was real or not anymore.
I was also high as balls so that didn't help.
well, y'know what they say?
"do drug kids, don't."
At least you didn't see transpoiting while in that state like me (it was horrible)
So many crackheads here smh
Uh dude you were alone.
@Marco Soto I love that book! Didn't really like the ending (far too depressing for me), but man, what an atmosphere. . . "at a certain depth, water becomes a barrier from all you remember, all you think you know. . ." And his first sight of the Trieste was chilling.
I like that the mirror keeps showing up in Mike Flanagan films, it's a nice Easter egg to see.
It was the headboard in Gerald's Game, haven't found it in the others yet...
@@steampunckairship it was also in the haunting of the hill house also check
it was even in Absentia, a movie that he made before oculus
8:43 "hereditary caracteristics" just when shows the movie mirroring the mom possession in the burning man scene from Hereditary hehe
When you said:
"And even the device you're watching this on... Hi there!"
If you blacked the screen and I saw my mug staring back at me.... We'd be having words.
I remember I watched the movie because of Karen Gillian, so I begged my friends to watch it together and no one expected much of it but we were really intrigued and discussed everything that happened. We got divided opinions just like the siblings, it was a really cool experience and we really enjoyed the movie.
Oculus has become my all-time favorite horror movie. It's dark, twisted, confusing, and the ending still makes me sob while being angry that Tim is forced back to an institution where he knows what happened, but will end up being convinced he purposefully killed his sister.
I love this movie. This and the Spanish film "The Orphanage" are my top 3.
Marketing Idea: Invisible Mirrors
wait wouldnt that be air
How about, mirrors that show what you're looking at when you look at them!
Like my air guitar. It's literally priceless.
Oh boy, the perfect video for me, a person with a specific phobia of mirrors and reflections!
I’m so glad this movie is being finally appreciated and re-evaluated.
This is the only movie that ever accomplished making me question reality even after the credits rolled.
Also the lightbulb scene... whew. Still remember that.
That opening made me think I had Mandela Effect’d my way into an alternate universe for a minute there. Also _OCULUS OH BOY_
It’s about time you covered a WWE studios film....
So many basal disturbing archetypes done correctly in this move that are so effective... light bulb scene, mother trying to strangle her children, the DOG 😢, accidentally killing ones own significant other... and it actually has a convincing story... cannot look away while watching
So... The Haunting of Hill House is basically Oculus: The series without the mirror.
I just noticed that! similar themes running through both, definitely
The mirror from Oculus is actually hanging in Hill House, you see it in the scene where Nell dances her way through the empty house
It’s made by the same guy
Ryan Hollinger... officially interviewing?! Oh, what Heaven I have died and gone to!
Hey! I finally caught one fresh off the press! Good stuff man!
The Neon Demon made really clever use of mirrors with the cinematography.
The eyeball eating scene made me sick.
First horror movie I ever watched when I was 11 years old. I wouldn’t have ever touched the genre if it wasn’t for this movie and the fact Karen Gillian was in it
The ending to this film is one of the most uplifting and cheerful sequences ever committed to film
lol what
*are you the mirror?*
Hrhrhr xD
Is no one else gonna comment on the fact that between the two siblings, the brother gets carted off to an insane asylum for pulling the trigger out of self defense, and his sister gets to live a perfectly normal life despite being obviously the more mentally disturbed?
Nope, no is ever commenting, not even me.
Co Charles clearly
I thought it was because it's easier to pin the blame on the one that pulled the trigger as opposed to a seemingly disturbed girl that just went through the same traumatic thing but technically didn't hurt anyone
@POOL'S CLOSED DUE TO CRONA AIDS I think it could be argued that the sister is more mentally disturbed BECAUSE she wasn't admitted to a psychiatric facility like her brother was. He was forced to get help to process and rationalize the trauma of their childhood, but she wasn't. so her paranoia and obsession with the mirror festered and grew, while her brother was able to move on. that's why they're so different in the present day
,,his sister gets to live a perfectly normal life"
I don't know about that. She seems more obsessed than the brother. Also, the movie kept mentioning how the brother was helped (by getting medical treatment, therapy and so forth) while the sister had to be on her own.
It would've been kind of funny if at the end of the film, one of the cops accidentally knocked the mirror over, smashing it. And he just looks at his fellow officers and gives a shrug like, "Oops!"
I barely realized you interviewed them that must have been amazing really loved that movie gotta watch that interview now.
I feel like almost every horror movie like this falls into the same trap. "Is it all in their head or is it real" always ends up being actual ghosts. Oculus, The Shining, Hereditary. The intention is pretty clear, but i guess you could argue Oculus and The Shining.
Technically hereditary wasn’t all ghosts but a cult
@@esppupsnkits4560 ya but there was a very real demonic power unleashed by the cult. A cult can't make a mother go crazy and then literally float around and cut her head off or bang her head on the cellar door holding onto the ceiling upside down lmao. So not technically ghosts but supernatural in nature which is what i think the commenter meant more than just actual ghosts in general. The supernatural element verus the natural element
Might I suggest The Uninvited? I won't say more than that.
I recommend Housebound
I don't know I feel like going the opposite way is even more unsatisfying. I think the problem isn't which one to pick but just that giving a definitive answer either way makes it less scary.
Horror essays are my favourite kind of video essays, and hearing you talk about horror really calms me down.
Take a shot whenever Ryan says "at the end of the dey"
Honestly an underrated horror movie imo, of course could be better but I think for a film to balance not only two storylines but two conflicting opinions both that are realistic but could theoretically be proven is fantastic.
I’m sick of people being like “uhh the ghost isn’t real bc ghosts aren’t real you’re making it up” without any reason for why the person may be making it up. As you said, either Tim or kailey are correct, and both are chilling possibilities
I'm surprised you thought that the movie was keeping up an "is it real or is it a hallucination?" premise, for me that question was answered objectively when they come back into the room and the cameras have moved. That moment is when the brother accepts the situation and I saw it as the movie saying "yes, the ghost mirror is real, now lets get on with the good stuff."
Thank you! I love this video but was thinking “Wait wasn’t the whole point that it IS supernatural and they’re fighting tooth and nail to not be tricked by the mirror?”
Or she moved the cameras?
Was the camera being moved on camera?
The lightbulb scene fucks me up every time. It's so simple and so genius. Mike Flanagan is brilliant.
I'm surprised it took you this long to review/analyze this movie. It's one of the better recent horror movies out there, good choice man
As soon as I saw the light bulb next to the apple, I knew that it was going to be eaten. I love this movie
I'm a grown ass man and I still can't have a mirror in my room without feeling creeped out. Lol.
14:19 thank you for putting shutter Island in the horror pile
5:29 one thing Flanagan is amazing at, character drama
The videos you make are always awesome, and I love every one of them. Thank you.
the rare youtube channel where a 3:30 intro(!!) to a video that’s under 15min is actually brilliant. great work as always
I always felt like the mirror from Oculus was something ripped out of an SCP. Just a really bizarre supernatural concept that isn't tied to something like an angry ghost being the cause, it just is.
Ryan getting sponsors really lightens the mood for each of these videos.
Oh shit it's the guy who plays Robin in Titans. I knew I recognized him
As a kid--and even a little into my early teen years--I always, ALWAYS made sure to sleep with my back to my big dresser mirror, terrified that I might wake up some night and see... *something,* maybe my own reflection, grinning back at me with black, doll-like eyes dripping blood. And I had no doubt if that ever happened, I'd be so paralyzed with fear I'd be unable to scream.
It's a miracle I ever made it through this movie, let alone would consider it among my favorite horror films.
It's weird that last night I stared at myself in the mirror in low light until my face contorted into monstrous shapes looking me in the face.
Then you drop this the next day.
I'd end up back in the hospital over this if I wasn't medicated XD
This was the first horror movie in many years that gave me nightmares! I no longer have a mirror in my bedroom, it got me that freaked out, and I was in my early 40’s!
This was one of those horror movies I'd only seen on a shelf here or there when it came out, but when I got around to watching it I was pleasantly surprised and on the edge of my seat for most of it. I'm unsure why you were disappointed with the ending though, an alternate take I had was that he'd become delusional from listening to his sister's ramblings for so long, and her specter was a manifestation of his guilt for putting her out of her misery. Never thought about describing the mirror as lovecraftian but I can see why and agree with that!
Definetly one I'd say is worth watching at least once, but not while you're eating or hungry lol.
However I'd say Oculus was unquestionably better than Hereditary for a couple reasons;
In Oculus the family felt close to begin, with and we watch their spontaneous deterioration with it scaring the kids for life, yet despite their conflicting perspectives they remain close. But in Hereditary the family was already dysfunctional at the start, so we begin having the expectation for their relationships to break, and even then it was neither satisfying nor believable that they'd still be close like a family.
Oculus blended the lines between reality and fiction quite smoothly, keeping suspense and skepticism in the balance with both portrayals as a reasonable possibility. Hereditary instead just hangs blatant cult like activity on the edge of the screen, before the supernatural stuff starts, but even then wasn't really questionable on what was going on because its subtlety was as clever as a brick to the face.
Totally underrated film, thanks for giving it the attention it deserves. I think my favourite thing about it is how each sibling has a logical train of thought, but they're coming from completely different directions and both of them are clearly deeply damaged people. Plus the film is a great blend of psychological and (possibly) cosmic horror you don't see all that often. Also, here's a fun fact - the same mirror also made an appearance in Haunting of Hill House, another one of Mike Flanagan's projects.
Because this one mirror Story in Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction, i still hate passing a mirror by night.
Why? What happened?
I hate those mirrors that have doors, horror movies ruined that for me hahah
Lol same
And "The Wailing" was also terrifying
Yeah the story of someone looking into the mirror and seeing the image of his dead relative is why I don't like mirrors at night. I refuse to have mirrors in my room because of this lol.
This is still one of my favorite horror films! Thank you for covering this one!☺
I watched this film at midnight when I was new to horror and the ending genuinely left me with a sense of dread and bleakness. The film has a quite simple premise but its storytelling elevates the intrigue of the plot and gives the antagonistic mirror a truly sinister element, making you truly root for the characters yet still hinting at the unfortunate fate that awaits them. The film also introduced me to Karen Gillan whom I now consider one of the most versatile actresses of this generation. I think we can all agree that Mike Flanagan is now one of the heavy hitters in horror who knows how to create a haunting (sorry for the bad pun 😉) atmosphere and build a satisfying suspense that separates his works from a typical jumpscare filled horror flick or unimaginative remake.
Cool, it was my introduction to Karen Gillan's work as well! :)
On the subject of mirrors done right, the mirror room from silent hill 3 will always be one of the scariest things I've ever experienced. When mirrors are done right, they're done _right_
Oculus is awesome, very underrated movie.
I usually dont like horror movies but this is one i really respect...the concept itself is so haunting: a mirror that induces hallucinations into the minds of those that look into it and causes them to go insane. Thats bloody brilliant
I once took some mushrooms and stared into a mirror and while I was totally aware that the person in the mirror was me, somehow my brain didn;t register that and registered it as if I was staring at a other person.
it should have been scary, but I remember being pretty entertained by the person in the mirror
Damn dats scary tbh 😳
Same! But I was a vampire in the mirror
That's actually a legit neurological condition.
I remember also doing this on a shroom trip and also flicking the lights on and off. Sounds scary sober but wasn’t while under the influence. Something about the image in the mirror made me think I was looking at a rock star.
I just watched this movie last Wednesday and now you uploaded this video. Very Nice!
So glad to hear how much of a cult classic *"Occulus"* has become. Karen Gillen was fantastic.
I absolutely love how Mike Flanagan references the mirror visually in a lot of his other movies.
It appears in Ouija Origin of Evil, Haunting of Hill House and Doctor Sleep, blending in with the background. And the lower side of the mirror, turned upside down, is the bedframe from Gerald's Game.
"Taps into your personal insecurities and will always and forever show you things that you wish simply were not true."
😯
Hey Ryan! I've been a huge fan of your videos for awhile and was waiting for you to review Oculus for so long!! Your passion for analyzing the horror genre or any genre is inspiring and amazing! I'd recommend analyzing Atm (2012), like Oculus it has many flaws but the tragic reality of it makes it truly horrifying. Keep up the awesome work man!
Oculus is one of my favorite movies and I was a little sad that not that many people liked as much as I.
I found it fascinating when someone pointed out that the concept of the self or self image changed when mirrors became common. It used to be that the reflected self was gathered in bits and pieces from the people around you. The self wasn’t something you could see unless you had a still pool, spent tons of money or visited a Buddhist temple (you may not have looked at yourself in the mirror though). The history of mirrors is interesting.
Honestly, this movie would've been lot better with much less supernatural stuff. And the kill switch was a hardest things to ignore, because of how ridiculously over the top it is, that you know it will end up killing someone. Which makes me think it was intentionally made that way to sell better, because of course it would.
Oculus is definitely one of my favorite movies. I loved it from the first time I watched it!
For my mom's people, reflections are only a danger when someone close to you dies.
The reflection acts as a medium and if you look into a mirror there is a chance the dead person will look at you and try to take you with them.
I know it is based more on the fact that if certain people look at themselves in a state of grief they may try to go into the reflection, which back in the day would have been ice cold lakes or the ocean.
The issue is that my great grandmother passed away when I was a young teen and we covered all the mirrors in the house as per the custom, then while in mourning we decided to watch the first episode of Sleepy Hallow(tv series). There is a scene where the mirror shows a forest in another plane of existence and a demon comes through, snaps a dude's neck and is back in the forest before he gets a chance to blink.
Have really avoided looking into a mirror for too long ever since.
A circular opening known as the oculus lets the only light in to the Pantheon. The oculus is about 30 feet across. The purpose of the oculus was not only to illuminate the interior but it was also built to let those in the temple contemplate the heavens (Oxford definition sourced via Google). This movie spooked me almost as much as Lake Mungo
I'm gonna get my harry's on for me and to support you of course
man, I have been wanting to see a video by you on this movie. I knew it is the type of movie you would've done an essay on. Thank fuck finally
So basically, how to make the cliche of ‘mirrors’ into a good movie: make the mirror into a McMuffin (McGuffin)
VERY bold of you to put that razor ad and lightbulb scene almost back to back, Ryan.
I'll check out the sponsor for your sake, but after that I'm gonna need to stay away from sharp objects for, oh, say, forever.
I have this irrational fear of mirrors that I can't seem to get over. To my mind there is nothing more damnable than looking into a mirror in dim or no light. I feel as though satan or one of his demons will come for my soul if I look too long into a darkened mirror.
hi there! im an occultist irl. mirrors are a common tool, especially in low light, for doing entity work, through a process wherein we mildly hallucinate as a result of our brain trying to compensate for low, inconsistent light, while looking at something that should be a face, through a layer which affects our depth perception. basically, mirrors can be confusing, especially in low light, and this gives us a tool for entity work.
if youre looking to protect yourself, i can offer you the solace that, in real life, demons dont come after people, and are generally pretty respectful of boundaries. although lovecraftian entities are less respectful, theyre also infinitely less likely to take interest in a lowly human.
hope this was helpful!
@@HadalStreetlights They also dont exist so there's that
The editing in Oculus is just top tier
The knocking Sounds in the music freaked me out big time. Send help.
I think the intention was that the mirror actually did have a supernatural influence to it the whole time and that Tim's skepticism was to add uncertainty in who is more sane for the first part of the movie, but as the movie goes on the uncertainty goes from "is the mirror really haunted or not" to "is this reality or is the mirror tricking them"
I think the scene when Tim and Kaylee didn't realise they stacked the equipment in front of the mirror until they watched the playback starts this shift because it shows that the mirror does have the ability to change their perceptions of reality at the same time.
Please do The Lighthouse next, legit one of the best movies I've seen and I would adore your thoughts on it.
Honestly...ive always found the first candyman to be absolutely terrifying ...the use of mirror metaphors, sound design, and pure cinematic genius design...that said oculas is genuinely disturbing and one of the best horror movies in recent memory
This movie scared the ever living shite out of me.
I love that you played part of the face melting scene from Poltergeist. That scene messed me up as a kid, easily the only part in the movie I legit got scared of.
I did not at all get a "its not actually happening they're just crazy" angle at all, I don't know how you could watch the start and get the sense that its psychological. I think you just started looking for the film you wanted it to be over what it was, then got disappointed when it wasn't that thing.
Yeah I saw it as more of a 'she's fully bought into it while he remains skeptical' thing where shit was obviously supernatural or at least affecting them in a major way too.
tbh while I agree w/you completely, I kinda think I wouldve liked it more if it was the way he saw it hahahhah
also after this video I might watch it a THIRD time just to see if I had the supernatural mirror feeling so strong bc of MY biases (typical use of mirror in horror movies, in myths; aligning myself more with the female character etc.)
Yes I agree, it was clear from the start that there was never a real question of the mirror's supernatural nature, that question was merely used, and used well, as part of the thematic structure of the siblings' dialogue. It's a necessary and well used tool, but never did I get the impression that the audience was meant to be "questioning everything", especially as the film goes forward. Feels like a very silly criticism that is more the fault of the critic. Otherwise good review though.
I saw it that way for a bit at the start and probably longer than I should have just because I liked the idea but by the time stuff really kicks off I had to fully give it up and agree it's all real, she was right the whole time and he was denying it.
I’m so glad you made this video oculus is one of my favourite horror movies that I really don’t see talked about enough
first
The raw idea that something is evil just because is somehow quite funny to me, and I like to see it. It doesn't need a reason to do what it does. It just does it, and you suffer the effects of those actions without understanding or even just knowing why. Also, the harsh conflict between sister and brother brings up a favorite quote of mine: Am I insane, or is everyone else?
About the ending, I actually think Tim was insane the whole time. He kept seeing the mirror ghosts and crazy shit his sister did, but convinced himself it was all in his head and until the very end, when his sister's mania convinced him that everyone else was insane, only for him to be completely wrong and snap right back into self-doubt and self-destruction. The mirror was more than a reflection, it was a deflection from his most important detail: he's still insane. His sister couldn't handle that her father was a liar, cheater, and unhinged, and her ravings about evil mirrors with unlimited power caused her brother to relapse and just loose it.