Karen Gillan stars in this superior supernatural horror.
Tim Russell (Brenton Thwaites) has just been released from protective custody, where he was placed several years ago following a terrible childhood trauma. His sister Kaylie is convinced that the night that ended with the death of their parents was brought about by a decorative mirror that possesses malevolent powers. She enlists a sceptical Tim to help destroy the mysterious mirror once and for all, but in doing so places them both within the grasp of pure evil.
Oculus might sound like your run-of-the-mill supernatural shock-fest, but the latest effort from writer-director Flanagan is an impressively smart and unsettling addition to the genre. Nimbly switching between two different timelines (both present day and flashbacks to Tim and Kaylie’s childhood), the film combines a touch of gore with nail-biting jump scares and creeping psychological horror. Helped by solid performances from Gillan and Thwaites, Oculus is a frequently surprising ride that grips till the end.
Oculus is a Film programme that first aired in 2013 and has been classified a 15 certificate.
