Oculus

2014

Oculus

Critics Consensus

With an emphasis on dread over gore and an ending that leaves the door wide open for sequels, Oculus could be just the first spine-tingling chapter in a new franchise for discerning horror fans.

75%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 150

53%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 45,655
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Oculus Photos

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Movie Info

Ten years ago, tragedy struck the Russell family, leaving the lives of teenage siblings Tim and Kaylie forever changed when Tim was convicted of the brutal murder of their parents. Now in his 20s, Tim is newly released from protective custody and only wants to move on with his life; but Kaylie, still haunted by that fateful night, is convinced her parents' deaths were caused by something else altogether: a malevolent supernatural force unleashed through the Lasser Glass, an antique mirror in their childhood home. Determined to prove Tim's innocence, Kaylie tracks down the mirror, only to learn similar deaths have befallen previous owners over the past century. With the mysterious entity now back in their hands, Tim and Kaylie soon find their hold on reality shattered by terrifying hallucinations, and realize, too late, that their childhood nightmare is beginning again... (c) Relativity
  • Rating:
    R (for terror, violence, some disturbing images and brief language)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Horror
  • Directed By:
    Mike Flanagan
  • Written By:
    Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Relativity Media

Cast

Karen Gillan
as Kaylie Russell
Brenton Thwaites
as Tim Russell
Rory Cochrane
as Alan Russell
Katee Sackhoff
as Marie Russell
James Lafferty
as Michael Dumont
Annalise Basso
as Young Kaylie
Garrett Ryan
as Young Tim
Miguel Sandoval
as Dr. Shawn Graham
Kate Siegel
as Marisol Chavez
Scott Graham
as Warren
Michael Fourticq
as St. Aidan Security Guard
Katie Parker
as Phone Store Clerk
Justin Gordon
as Mark (Supervisor)
Bob Gebert
as Neighbor
Brett Luciana Murray
as Officer 1
Zak Jeffries
as Officer 2
Courtney Bell
as Auctioneer
Elisa Victoria
as Skype Worker
Dave Levine
as Robert Clancy
Stephanie Minter
as Virginia Lasser
Lesa Johnson
as Mary O'Connor
Allison Boyd
as Beatrice O'Connor
James Flanagan
as Tobin Capp
Alexandra Beer
as Marcia Walker
Marc Evans
as Oliver Jeffries
Toni Elizabeth White
as Alice Carden
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Critic Reviews for Oculus

All Critics (150) | Top Critics (34) | Fresh (113) | Rotten (37)

View All Critic Reviews (150)

Audience Reviews for Oculus

  • Oct 24, 2015
    In trying to be clever the film actually renders itself predictable and dull.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
  • Oct 19, 2015
    Oculus features a neat villain-premise that is hard to fault on any particular issue, but also doesn't really excel in any field either.
    Gimly M Super Reviewer
  • Jun 22, 2015
    Creepy and confusing at times.
    Erin C Super Reviewer
  • Dec 18, 2014
    After watching "Oculus" for the first time I was just a little disappointed, because though there are many frightening elements to this story, it's much more of a psychological mystery than a horror film. Thinking this was more of a ghost story, I went in expecting specters, and a clear, concise ending, but this film surprised me. Leaving much of this ambiguous for the viewer, the film is a fully realized thought experiment about paranormal investigations, and how much of these characters' actions can be blamed on this mirror's influence, or their own mental illness. I didn't like this ambiguity at first, but after letting the film simmer in my brain for a couple of days I was still thinking through the complexities of the premise of the story. I could easily watch this again and again, toiling over what the events of the story mean, and whether the mirror really is haunted. The great thing about this film is that it stays with you, seeps into you, until, like the mirror's influence, it takes hold. There aren't many horror films that can boast such complexities. I wouldn't be surprised if, like recent horror trends, this film spurs sequels, but I hope it doesn't. The ending was perfect, fusing the past and present in a furious whirlwind, never letting us know exactly what transpired in that house. It was confusing at times, since it melded two separate narratives, and included hallucinations, but it controlled its story well and ended perfectly. Any sequel would botch the nuanced aspects of this modern horror classic.
    Spencer S Super Reviewer
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