Read Mixed User Reviews for Oculus

6

Nesbitt10Apr 12, 2014

Director Mike Flanagan and co-writer Jeff Howard expand on their original 30-minute short film about a lethal piece of furniture "Oculus: Chapter 3" to a feature-length film. While it's a cut above the usual paranormal thriller, its 105Director Mike Flanagan and co-writer Jeff Howard expand on their original 30-minute short film about a lethal piece of furniture "Oculus: Chapter 3" to a feature-length film. While it's a cut above the usual paranormal thriller, its 105 minute runtime doesn't dramatically improve on its mysterious element and it falls short on dread and tension. While "Oculus" slowly develops an unsettling story that cleverly undermines an age-old horror-film cliché, it's never quite as scary or as memorable as one might have hoped.

After shooting his father and spending years in psychiatric care, Tim Russell (Brenton Thwaites), reunites with his sister Kaylie (Karen Gillan), who claims that an antique mirror in their father's study was what destroyed their family, as well as the families of many owners before them. Tim reluctantly agrees to help Kaylie document the mirror's effects, but all goes awry when it begins to play with their perceptions-intermingling past and present, memory and reality, and forcing them to witness again their parents' violent relationship, with devastating results.

What's unique about "Oculus" is its structure, which cuts back and forth between Tim and Kaylie in 2012 and their experiences 10 years earlier. Flanagan daringly cross cuts between flashbacks and the present, and even sometimes unities the two storylines in the same shot. Flanagan uses the back story to inform the audience of the details of how this started, while at the same time using it to terrorize Tim and Kaylie, who aren't quite sure if what they are seeing -- and doing -- is real or not.

Flanagan creates a number of eerie visual parallels between the past and present, but eventually the slow-burn suspense sequences and sudden shocks become increasingly repetitive. Throughout the film's slow build-up, Flanagan effectively incorporates some creepy images and the film convincingly earns its frights the old-fashioned way. However, the third act offers an escalation in action accompanied with a scene of shock that doesn't intensify or enhance its predictable, lackluster finale. To his credit, Flanagan takes a dubious premise further than most could. That being said, next time just smash the damn mirror.… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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6

KivaJul 29, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Oculus is a fresh installation in the horror genre which has an original story, a great cast and a mix of past and present sequences. It has some great jump scares but in the whole the movie doesn't really want to scare, but to thrill and to have a twist ending. I honestly think that the writers were bored and couldn't find a better way to close the film as it leaves many questions and for sure there is not going to be a sequel and so everybody's question are never going to be answered.It had a great potential, but somewhere in the end it lost it.Could have been muuuuuuch better. Still is something original and a horror movie that needs your attention. Check it out!… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

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5

Btodd15Apr 19, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Oculus was hard to follow between their past and present and I think that the ending wasn't good. Other than that every thing else was alright. Usually in horror movies something good happens at the end, but not in this one… Expand

1 of 9 users found this helpful18

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4

TVJerryApr 17, 2014

A young brother and sister survive the effects of a haunted mirror only to relive the evil 11 years later. The concept had potential and the cross-cutting between their present and past has promise. Unfortunately, the pacing drags, the scaresA young brother and sister survive the effects of a haunted mirror only to relive the evil 11 years later. The concept had potential and the cross-cutting between their present and past has promise. Unfortunately, the pacing drags, the scares are minimal and the whole thing falls apart.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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6

wishmasterSep 7, 2014

A film that literally makes you crazy, trying to reveal what happened and happened in the silent House away from nothing and close to everything (the typical atmosphere of American terror). Characters maybe fell short in personality and toA film that literally makes you crazy, trying to reveal what happened and happened in the silent House away from nothing and close to everything (the typical atmosphere of American terror). Characters maybe fell short in personality and to say confusing conclusion; These two factors caused a slump in my score. But that does not desmerita it cause me a couple of real screams.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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5

csw12Sep 8, 2014

It kept me entertained most of the time but when it comes to be even remotely scary, it fails big time. However, the film is creative and makes for a unique horror movie.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

captaindangerMay 26, 2014

Good enough to keep me entertained the whole time, but if your looking for big scares, this isn't the right movie. More of a messes-with-your-mind kinda movie.

0 of 8 users found this helpful08

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6

Compi24Apr 19, 2014

"Oculus"'s ending may leave a poor taste in your mouth, but the brilliant camera and narrative work at hand is undeniable, as well as some fantastic mythological world-building and use of tension.

0 of 27 users found this helpful027

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5

Rox22Mar 1, 2015

Perhaps I went into this with far too high expectations as I had been hearing nothing but praise, but to my dismay I thought it was just average. Still better than the mountain of horrot garbage that has been released in recent years.

IPerhaps I went into this with far too high expectations as I had been hearing nothing but praise, but to my dismay I thought it was just average. Still better than the mountain of horrot garbage that has been released in recent years.

I liked the psychological aspect of the plot, a shame it wasn't played out more, opting for a more generic twist. Acting was mostly bland, aside from Sackhoff who looked like she was trying her hardest.

Overall:
Oculus is an OK-ish horror that had an interesting premise but lackluster conclusion. A rental at best.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

emilianoglJun 22, 2014

#sosa #Boring #weakScript #badActors No asusta , #goodPhoto buena fotografía . buuuu zzzzzz Es un copy paste mal hecho de películas de terror de culto. Espera a que salga en DVD

0 of 6 users found this helpful06

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5

franissavioApr 12, 2014

This is a tricky mirror and you will have to wait for 3 to 4 sequels to nail the damn thing. Hope Tim does not screw in the next one when he comes out of mental hospital after another 10 yrs (that means he'll be about 31 yrs played byThis is a tricky mirror and you will have to wait for 3 to 4 sequels to nail the damn thing. Hope Tim does not screw in the next one when he comes out of mental hospital after another 10 yrs (that means he'll be about 31 yrs played by Bradley Cooper).… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

KriticalChaosDec 27, 2014

Up until the ending, this movie delivers some of the creepiest and most thrilling moments I've seen from horror movies lately. It's just a shame that it builds up all of that tension and excitement and then lets you down with the ending thatUp until the ending, this movie delivers some of the creepiest and most thrilling moments I've seen from horror movies lately. It's just a shame that it builds up all of that tension and excitement and then lets you down with the ending that can only be described as anticlimactic. In my eyes, if a movie can't stand on it's own then it can't stand at all. No one should have to say, "well this movie is great if there's gonna be a sequel." There's no sense of finality or hope at all, and while horror movies don't really need hope, it makes for a better movie in my opinion.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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4

moviemitch96Apr 13, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Am I really the only one who thought that this film was really mediocre? Not only did it mess with my head to the point where I felt like I was about to get a headache, but it was also a complete mess! What started out as such a promising and interesting concept quickly went downhill as the film progressed. Flashbacks occurred occasionally at the beginning, but a little towards the halfway mark they got way carried away with them to the point where every 5 minutes it would go from the present to the past again. And if it wasn't confusing enough already, pretty soon they started intertwining the past and present with the younger versions of the two leads seeing themselves in situations from the present and vice versa. And just when you thought it couldn't get any more disappointing, the ending happens and needless to say, the ending really pissed me off! Much like last year's "The Purge" a great concept for a film was poorly executed. The case couldn't be any stronger with this film. Overall, a huge letdown for me.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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4

ozymandias79May 25, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Although it is good to a see an original horror movie, Oculus is very light on scares. There was a lot of potential here but it didn't come together. The switching between past and present is done poorly. The end is also very predicable. The film makers tried hard to produce an interesting movie... but it isn't. Not even Karen Gillan could save this movie.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

Meth-dudeAug 12, 2014

The thriller was really scary so,i thought the movie would be one of the best horror movie in years.But, every scary things in the movie were in the trailer,so i was a little disappointed.But the movie does have some scary and unexpectedThe thriller was really scary so,i thought the movie would be one of the best horror movie in years.But, every scary things in the movie were in the trailer,so i was a little disappointed.But the movie does have some scary and unexpected things that were not shown in the trailer.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

flash246Aug 6, 2014

This movie doesn't have the jump scares most thought it would have but it does have its moments. The way the movie is shown is very creative and makes it a unique horror movie. However, the ending seemed forced which made me and my friendsThis movie doesn't have the jump scares most thought it would have but it does have its moments. The way the movie is shown is very creative and makes it a unique horror movie. However, the ending seemed forced which made me and my friends feel annoyed when it was over. What could of been a great horror movie was ruined by the ending.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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5

emeraldcitySep 4, 2014

Another typical no hope contemporary horror film where nobody wins-and everybody gets completely and utterly screwed beyond any hope of any victory whatsoever. Films like this might as well use hideous death metal soundtracks and offer theAnother typical no hope contemporary horror film where nobody wins-and everybody gets completely and utterly screwed beyond any hope of any victory whatsoever. Films like this might as well use hideous death metal soundtracks and offer the audience free suicide pills. These films are all made from 'formulas' as in all they think they need to make a good horror film is a young woman & a male of a similar age-and old house or seedy neighbourhood-plus satan. It makes it all work-in their minds. What you have here in this film is an ode to nihilism philosophy that I don't find very rewarding. I don't agree that victory isn't possible against evil but what these films say is victory against evil is unobtainable. Which creates psychological paralysis which can extend to physical paralysis-in the face of adversity.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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5

actiniumOct 8, 2021

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0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

FilipeNetoMay 12, 2018

This film revolves around an old mirror and the death of Tim and Kaylie Russell's parents, who survived the killing of their family blaming supernatural forces attached to the object. The film has a dark and gloomy atmosphere that manages toThis film revolves around an old mirror and the death of Tim and Kaylie Russell's parents, who survived the killing of their family blaming supernatural forces attached to the object. The film has a dark and gloomy atmosphere that manages to introduce the audience and prepare it for the story and the scares. The atmosphere is cleverly constructed by the sound effects, by the naked settings of the house where the action takes place and by the cinematography, purposely constructed with cold colors.

The script is not based on a totally original formula. There is a haunted object that kills people and there are people interested in destroying it. Within this formula, the film tells two distinct but intertwined stories: the death of the parents of the main characters and their attempt to destroy the mirror, years later. The film blends them through flashbacks, but I think this turned out to be a wrong choice because it undermined the good understanding of both, although it made the film more dense and intense in the end. The film frightens us more by what it suggests and promises than by what it actually exhibits, and works well if we think so. It is not a graphic film, but tremendously psychological. It deals with obsessions, traumas, needs and anguish. Karen Gillan, who gave life to Kaylie, is excellent and dominates the film, pushing Brenton Thwaites (who played Tim) to a relatively more discreet position. The ending turns out to be confusing but intense. It is worth watching this movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

ahmedaiman9999Sep 14, 2018

With its muddled narration, disorganized storytelling, choppy editing, distracting fast pace, and tons of ineffective cheap jump scares, I found the first act so messy and scrubby that I was about to stop watching the rest of the movie.With its muddled narration, disorganized storytelling, choppy editing, distracting fast pace, and tons of ineffective cheap jump scares, I found the first act so messy and scrubby that I was about to stop watching the rest of the movie. Fortunately, almost everything got better after this unbearable 30 minutes, especially the editing which became one of the movie's merits notably when the movie shifts consistently between the past and the present. What didn't get better is the use of jump scares. Literally, there's no single jump scare that worked for me. That being said, Oculus is a quite scary movie due to its creepy atmosphere, brilliant visual structure, and seemingly nonsensical rules that would turn out to be very cogent. By that I mean due to Mike Flanagan's creative vision who directed and co-wrote the movie's screenplay. All the performance are fine, particularly the kids, but Annalise Basso's performance as Young Kaylie is what stands out for me. She is such a talented young actress.

The characters of Kaylie and Tim have some reasonable depth, and the developments of the relationship between the two siblings raised a surprisingly interesting dilemma.

The sound mixing and editing are top-notch, the thing that made some scary scenes so effective.

Honestly, the ending isn't quite satisfying, and it made a sequel required, which we plainly won't get, but at least it didn't ruin the movie.

(6.5/10)… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

meydianarizkiNov 10, 2022

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I've recently watched it would like to say that:
So basically this movie considered as psychological thriller or horror as well story's quite really good characters performed very well.
The movie is all about mirror which creates supernatural things ( ghosts), illusions you can't predict what is about to happen next Kaylie and Tim try their best to destroy that mirror till the end but they couldn't.
Yes ending was not good but overall the movie was nicely directed It's definitely worth watching.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

LunchboxhorrorSep 5, 2018

This Paranormal / psychological thriller was very interesting With some very high points and kept its lows to a minimum. If you take the basic approach to this plot its sounds all to generically cliché. A family moves into a new home, TheyThis Paranormal / psychological thriller was very interesting With some very high points and kept its lows to a minimum. If you take the basic approach to this plot its sounds all to generically cliché. A family moves into a new home, They get a mysterious object in this case a very beautiful antique mirror. With this new object odd things start happening small stuff at first plants die and animals start acting up and eventually go missing. Till you start seeing things like people and other entities in the house. The adults start acting odd and they climax to a very Amityville/ shining like way. As I said very generic but this movie is anything but generic. It is and does all the things I just described but presents it in a very interesting way. The movie plays with the idea of memories and what we believe happens to what really happened. It is also presented in a very interesting way moving the timeline back and forth from the past to the present repeatedly until that even gets blurred ( history repeats itself). The entire in the mirror even manipulates the perceptive reality of the family in a cool new first person kind of way. Even though this is the same old same old this movie is actually very creative the editing was a huge win for the movie. The acting in the movie was ok not bad by any means but also no one had a break out performance in this. The score was unremarkable it did it job with suspense and breaks and jumps but don’t think it is iconic score at all. As far as a horror movie it has low in kills low in gore the jumps scares were not great and it wasn't all that scary. To me it's all about the story and the subject it is trying to look at that make this a win in the genre and the editing executed on every level.

Horror score
Kill count 3/10
Kill creativity 3/10
Blood 1/10
Jump scares 5/10 (High Volume but not exacuted very well)
Plot/originality 8/10
Scary 2/10
Creepy 2/10
X Factor 0/10 Total 24/80
Average 3/10

h… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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5

WedhroMay 15, 2020

A good cast and good cinematography, but the constant feedbacks of the second half was annoying and the ending a little ham-fisted, wasting a decent premise. Not many thrills but no gratuitous loud jump scares either.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

rappM95Oct 3, 2020

Ok; not necessarily compelling or groundbreaking. Decent in the sense that they don’t go for cheap jumps. But the payoff isn’t really satisfying. Plot is pretty convoluted.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

atabeyordekciAug 19, 2021

A woman tries to exonerate her brother, who was convicted of murder, by proving that the crime was committed by a supernatural phenomenon. (6)

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