Dark Mirror

Dark Mirror

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Editorial Reviews

Lisa Vidal of ER delivers a stunning performance as Deborah Martin, a former photographer turned stay-at-home mom who moves her family into a strange old house filled with cut-glass windows and mirrors. But when Deborah begins seeing chilling visions within the reflections, she will become obsessed with trying to capture the truth behind the house s dark secret. Has Deborah accidentally discovered an alternate reality that unleashes a homicidal evil, or is she trapped within the terrifying recesses of the female mind? David Chisum (One Life To Live), Lupe Ontiveros (Real Women Have Curves) and Christine Lakin (Valentine) star in this provocative horror thriller with a killer twist that became a smash hit on IFC Festival Direct.

Customer Reviews

Not to be watched alone; a very scary psychological thriller!

Reviewed by S. Kelly, 2009-11-10

I really enjoyed Dark Mirror. It's not your typical scary movie, but that's what makes it so good. The story grips you right from the beginning and never lets you go. It's a very spooky, suspenseful thrill ride that kept me so off balance I didn't see the very clever plot twist at the end of the film coming. The direction is superb as are the performances. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. However, I would recommend NOT watching this one alone!

Atmospheric but without a horror punch

Reviewed by The Tao of Netflix, 2009-11-08

This movie centers around a photographer who moves into a new home (with her family), then comes to believe that by photographing someone, that person will soon die. Obviously, there are questions of real cause and effect, insanity, reality, etc. The movie is generally well done, good production values, high image quality, etc., such that it feels high-ish budget (and that's a compliment). The mood throughout is creepy, and almost relentlessly so, never abating to anything else. The problem though, is that the film is never really scary. Sequences occur in which I think the director intended to elicit a scare among the audience, but it fails to do so in every scene. Not sure exactly why, but the climactic build just didn't work, and I do scare fairly easily. Bottom line, its a worthy rental, just don't expect an earth shattering horror.

A Polanski kind of scary...

Reviewed by J. A. Pittman, 2009-09-22

Dark Mirror is one best horror flicks of 2009! It's scary but not the usual, banal 'blood and gore' scary - it's a Polanski kind of scary, a thinking person's horror film. The performances are fantastic and Lisa Vidal is mesmerizing. The scene in the bathroom where she's trying to convince her husband something is wrong with the house is absolutely brilliant - the kind of scene that is truly unforgettable, in that wonderfully unsettling way. Curious to see what this director does next because his talent really shines through despite the limitations of a presumably small budget. I think horror fans will definitely dig this flick - but I also think anyone who likes creative and intelligent filmmaking will appreciate it as well.

Creepy Good Fun!

Reviewed by Josephine O'Hara, 2009-09-21

If horror is your game, then this is right up your alley. It's got some good creeps and thrills, twists and turns, and adds an interesting perspective to the genre with feminist undertones. The character of Deborah, played by Lisa Vidal, has to come to terms with being a mother and a wife and what that means in a society today. Not a theme you'll often find in this type of film. Well done, especially with such a short shoot time and low budget. Give it a whirl, like so many others have done on IFC On Demand. You won't be disappointed. :)

Does it go with my dark curtains?

Reviewed by Matthew House, 2009-09-21

First time director, Pablo Proenza brings a dash originality and a nice hint of film making skill to 2009's independent thriller, Dark Mirror. A film about a lonely house wife Deborah (Lisa Vidal) that is going through the motions of moving into a huge new house and spending most of her time alone in it while her husband Jim (David Chisum)is away at work. All of this alone time gives Deborah a little too much time spent in her own head, and after she takes a photo of her bathroom mirror, she begins seeing things around her house that cause her to question her sanity. It's not the most original of stories,but you will find yourself engaged in this tale either way. There is some very solid acting, mainly from Vidal, who's Deborah character caries the film on her shoulders, and Vidal is quite capable of carrying the heavy load. When Chism is on screen, he brings some solid game too, and some of the best scenes involve interaction between Deborah and Jim, as they have some great back and forth banter guided by some witty and well written dialogue.

There is some impressive film making to be found at times throughout Dark Mirror. Shot on Super 16, it is a crisp looking film considering it is very low budget, the camerawork is solid with a feeling of claustrophobia as you are trapped in the house along side the Deborah character. There is also some very cool and different looking visual effects to portray the supernatural aspects of Dark Mirror, and one of the cooler effects is when Deborah takes the photo of the bathroom mirror and it has a ripple effect with a constant flash from her camera's flash bulb as it goes throughout the mirror's multiple dimensions.

Overall, Dark Mirror is a solid afternoon supernatural thriller, that is worth a look for what it achieves with its meager budget. Outside of the great opening scene (that I will keep to myself!), there's almost no violence in the film, nor is there much blood spilt, and while some of the deaths are a little on the weak side, Dark Mirror is enjoyable for a number of reasons. While I enjoyed this movie, and I am a dude, I would feel comfortable in saying that Dark Mirror is a film that may be great for woman, as it covers themes that many women in Deborah's position can relate to.