Mike Flanagan is one of the most exciting filmmakers working in the horror genre today, and his 2013 movieOculusis a unique take on a family tragedy. Whether adapting a Stephen King novella or scaring audiences with his many Netflix shows, the writer/director knows how to tell emotional stories that are full of terror. Along with Trevor Macy, Mike Flanagan signed a deal with Amazon Studios in December 2022. It will be fun to see what projects he puts out next.
WhileOculusmight not be as famous as Flanagan’s horror TV shows, the movie tells a compelling story. It will definitely keep audiences engaged and wondering what’s going to happen next. What happens inOculusand how does the movie wrap up?
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What Is Oculus About?
Oculusis about siblings Tim (Brenton Thwaites) and Kaylie Russell (Karen Gillian) who return to their childhood home eleven years after their family fell apart as the result of a sinister and evil mirror. Tim thought that their parents Alan (Rory Cochrane) and Marie (Katee Sackhoff) were killed because of the mirror. He was sent to a psychiatric hospital as a result. While Tim has tried to believe that nothing actually happened the way that he thought, Kaylie has known the truth this entire time. The siblings have a clear bond, which is moving to watch. But they are also so traumatized by what they have gone through that they have trouble fully connecting. This adds a realistic element to the horror movie.
WhileOculusmight be considered aforgotten 2010s horror moviebecause it doesn’t get mentioned very often, it has many of thetrademarks found in Mike Flanagan’s work. The characters are in an emotional situation, they are tied to both the past and the present, and they are grappling with the future.
There are somefamily stories that could be horror movies, andOculusfits into both of these categories. It’s clear that Tim and Kaylie have never stopped grieving the death of their parents. The film does a good job of showing how much Tim has tried to believe that he never saw anything paranormal. And Kaylie has been trying to protect her brother and ensure that he is out of harm’s way. They both feel an immense amount of pain and guilt.
Oculusis one of Mike Flanagan’s most fascinating and underrated horror movies as it blends feeling with terror. Kaylie often sees images of her mother, but every time she looks into the magical mirror, Kaylie is more and more terrified. Flanagan handles what could be a corny premise with ease.
How Does Oculus End?
The ending ofOculussees Tim and Kaylie remembering what happened to them when they were kids. Kaylie has a vision of her mother Marie telling her to come into the mirror and Tim is by himself. They realize that their doppelgangers are in the home, which of course freaks them out. Tim accidentally kills Kaylie by pressing the “kill switch” in the mirror and not noticing her right in front of him. The spirits of Tim’s family stay in their childhood home while Tim is jailed.
This isn’t asatisfying horror movie endingbecause audiences hope that Tim and Kaylie will be okay and that they can start a new life after this ordeal.Oculusproves that Mike Flanagan pulls no punches and always makes sure that he is telling the best story that he could. While this isn’t a hopeful or peaceful ending, he knew that it was the only way to wrap up this sad tale of two siblings. The overall message is that the characters can’t get away from this evil mirror, and the ending makes that even clearer.
What Are Mike Flanagan’s Other Projects?
Mike Flanagan has written and directed several other horror movies, including 2013’sHush, 2016’sBefore I Wake, 2016’sOuija: Origin of Evil, 2017’sGerald’s Game, and 2019’sDoctor Sleep.
Flanagan is also known for his horror TV shows which are all available to stream on Netflix.The Midnight Clubmight be Flanagan’s scariest show yet, although when his new seriesThe Rise and Fall of the House of Usherpremieres, fans will have to compare.Flanagan’s other Netflix seriesincludeThe Haunting of Hill Housefrom 2018,The Haunting of Bly Manorfrom 2020, andMidnight Massfrom 2021. These shows are all stand-outs in the genre with well-written characters, perfectly timed scares, and plots that twist and turn.
Mike Flanagan is also working onThe Life Of Chuck, the adaptation of the Stephen Kingnovella of the same name. His knack for bringing characters fully to life and ensuring that there is always emotion in every scene is sure to be part of this new project.
