After the confusing and horrible deaths of their parents ten years earlier, brother and sister Kaylie (played by Karen Gillan) and Tim (played by Brenton Thwaites) are adults now. It hasn’t been an easy road for them, but through their love for one another they try to rebuild what they can of their fractured relationship. Kaylie has had a lot of time to think about the death of their parents, and she has a sneaking suspicion that paranormal elements are at play. She finds the very antique mirror, the Lasser Glass, from their childhood that could be the culprit. The reflections may not be what they seem as paranormal, evil forces control those who gaze into it. Kaylie is determined to thwart the power of the mirror, but does she have what it takes to stand up against it?
Produced on a fairly low budget, the film takes place entirely inside the old home. It makes for a fairly intense viewing for the most part. I think it could have benefited from being filmed in the found footage style to add a little more grit and make the elements a little scarier.
I thought Karen Gillan was the stronger of the two actors. She has eyes that really draw you in and it helps that she appears to be the more tormented of the two siblings as well so she is the leader. Brenton Thwaits is more of a newcomer so he still feels wet behind the ears. There were a few instances where the set ups didn’t have the follow through that would scare the audiences but it’s mostly because it revolves around the solution of the story. I’m one of those people who almost never gets genuinely scared by horror films, so I usually go for the entertainment factor only. I appreciate that scaring me is at least the intent.
I don’t know how I feel about horror movies constantly ending in a confusing way, but this film fits the bill as much as any other one. I wasn’t really satisfied and was left with more questions than answers, but since it’s par for the course I didn’t find myself dwelling on it.
Overall while not a great movie I thought the idea of the story was fresh enough to keep me engaged for most of the movie. Thankfully horror films, especially those of the low budget variety, manage to not overstay their welcome. I would recommend checking it out if it hits Netflix or ends up on the movie channels.