It's entirely fair to say that the horror genre has been going through a transitional period over the last few years. We could probably all point to certain films in the genre that remain game-changers but these have been few and far between lately with the exception of films from James Wan who just seems to completely get horror. Horror directors have been finding it consistently more difficult to scare audiences who are now just scare-savvy; we can guarantee most people can predict the scares in a film before they actually occur and when it has reached that stage, is all hope now lost? Well, to be entirely honest, it really isn't. Sure, we haven't seen that much individuality lately in the projects but we have to remember that horrors like the genius that is Scream and the brilliant Saw changed everything when no one thought it could be possible. Until the next big game-changer however, we are just going to have to make do with films that come close to scaring the life out of you but never really make it. Oculus is certainly that type of film. Unlike a lot of the gorefest films we witnessed after the release of Saw and Hostel and the return to the golden age of horror (the 1970's), Oculus is a good deal smarter than you would expect. The film begins with two children, Kaylie and Tim, trying to escape a house where they are obviously in danger. They cower in a wardrobe where a man who is obviously a threat chases after them and finds them. Fast forward to a few years later and we are re-introduced to the children as adults and the events of the night in question unfold throughout the story, events that began with the purchasing of a mysterious mirror. Over the years, the mirror was passed from owner to owner with the same eventuality, someone always ended up dying in horrible circumstances. Although Tim apparently committed no crime, he was arrested for the murder of his parents, a murder his sister believes he didn't commit and decides to clear his name. Of course, to clear his name, Kaylie must prove that the mirror is controlling the house that they lived in and made her parents turn on their children. For the most part, Oculus is pretty enjoyable if a little boring. There is no real layering of tension and the jumps, when they finally do make an appearance, are not all that amazing. However, the story itself is pretty smart and the entire film manages to hold itself together pretty well, even if the family are being controlled by what seems to be a crazy mirror possessed by an even crazier woman. The performances themselves are pretty good, particularly from Karen Gillan, who plays the daughter Kaylie and Katee Sackhoff as the mother who is literally driven demented by the haunting mirror and her inability to harm her children. There is certainly a case to be made for going to see Oculus but maybe don't expect to be so terrified you can't sleep. Although, you may begin to avoid big Gothic mirrors in the future.