The Sinister Reflections: Unveiling the Top 10 Haunting Horror Movies Starring Deadly Mirrors

Mirrors serve as powerful elements in horror cinema, evoking harrowing anxiety and superstitious fear. Expertly utilized, mirrors unsettle audiences and deliver genuine scares by symbolizing vanity, representing sinister alter egos, depicting portals to alternate realities, or hinting at possession and lurking evil. With their ability to embody evil, mirrors surpass dolls and clowns as the creepiest symbols in horror films, spreading dread among millions of people worldwide. In films like Oculus, Dark Mirror, and Mirrors, trapped souls, nightmarish creatures emerging from mirrors, chilling reflections, and vengeful counterparts effectively instill fear and leave a lasting impact on viewers.

Updated on October 30, 2023, by Ryan Heffernan:

Horror movies have long been known for their ability to terrify audiences using a variety of sources, from eerie dolls to deranged animals and possessed vehicles. However, mirrors can also be incredibly effective in delivering spine-chilling scares, oftentimes revealing more than just a simple reflection. Whether these films revolve around curses, urban legends, or gateways to alternate dimensions, there exists a surprising number of horror movies centered on mirrors that effectively send shivers down viewers' spines, making them ideal for a delightfully terrifying experience during the eerie season.

'Mirrors' (2008)

Director: Alexandre Aja

Image via 20th Century Fox

Mirrors depicts the story of Carson (Kiefer Sutherland), a former police officer, and his family as they fall prey to a malevolent entity that utilizes mirrors as a means to infiltrate our reality. Upon noticing unusual reflections of themselves in the mirror, Carson discovers the urgency to take action in order to protect his loved ones.

The haunting nature of these mirrors is immediately felt by viewers in the opening scene, and it continues to shock with more gruesome deaths and unsettling moments that intensify the fear and panic. The scene where a jaw is torn apart will leave a lasting impression, making everyone cautious about looking into mirrors. Mirrors, with its foreboding atmosphere, iconic visuals, and skillfully crafted story, is an underrated horror movie from the 2000s that keeps the chilling reputation of horror mirrors alive. Catch it on Max.

'Bloody Mary' (2006)

Director: Richard Valentine

Image via Echo Bridge Home Entertainment

Despite being one of the most renowned urban legends, Bloody Mary, the terrifying and lethal ghost, surprisingly failed to attract much attention upon the release of the slasher film in 2006. This movie delves into an innocent game of Bloody Mary sparked among the nurses of a psychiatric facility, leading to the awakening of a malevolent presence. As a result, the sister of one of the ghost's victims embarks on a quest to uncover the truth.

'Dark Mirror' (2007)

Despite an excessive number of ambitious twists that ultimately lead to a perplexing and anticlimactic conclusion, this film remains a commendable showcase of the eerie power mirrors can hold within horror narratives. Bloody Mary effectively employs stellar ghostly effects and skillful sound design, making it a haunting ghost horror movie that may not leave a lasting impression but still leaves a chill down your spine.

Director: Pablo Proenza

Image via IFC Films

Dark Mirror, a horror film from the 2000s with a modest budget, surpassed expectations by incorporating captivating concepts rooted in Chinese folklore about spirits trapped within glass surfaces. The storyline centers around a photographer and her family who move into a new home with a sinister past connected to a famous artist and his vanished family.

While the film may not rely heavily on gore to intensify the horror, it ingeniously utilizes mirrors to create a chilling atmosphere and alludes to the existence of a deadly and alternate world confined within them. The unsettling moments when disturbing reflections materialize are effectively unsettling, but the true brilliance lies in the film's exploration of a fresh and captivating concept within the realm of haunted house horror.

Watch on Tubi

'Look Away' (2018)

Director: Assaf Bernstein

Image via Vertical Entertainment

Look Away is a captivating Canadian psychological thriller that skillfully weaves together twisted reflections and the angst of adolescence. The story centers around Maria, a timid and bullied high school student, whose life is turned upside down when her malevolent mirror image, Airam, takes control. The film explores thought-provoking concepts of identity and incorporates them into a gripping horror narrative that is filled with revenge and mystery. Although some may feel that Look Away could have delved deeper into these thematic ideas, it nonetheless offers an intriguing and satisfying storyline, with mirrors playing a disorienting yet central role.

'The Broken' (2008)

Director: Sean Ellis

Image via Gaumont

The Broken, a British-French film, masterfully combines the unsettling concept of doppelgängers with an intriguing mystery, creating a captivating psychological thriller. Lena Headey delivers a mesmerizing performance as a radiologist who encounters her exact lookalike while driving, provoking her curiosity to follow this mysterious figure. However, her world is shattered when she becomes involved in a severe car accident during her pursuit.

The chaos unfolds during a family dinner party, where a shattered mirror sets Gina (played by Headey) on a disorienting and unsettling journey, as she desperately struggles to distinguish between reality and nightmarish illusions. Drawing upon the chilling urban legend of the mirror-breaking curse, The Broken skillfully capitalizes on superstition, evoking an unnerving and spine-chilling atmosphere.

Watch on Plex

'The Hole in the Ground' (2019)

Director: Lee Cronin

Image via A24

Although The Hole in the Ground gained some critical praise upon its release, it unfortunately went unnoticed for the most part. By exploring common fears and anxieties of fatherhood, it effectively portrays the story of a single mother who becomes disturbed by her son's bizarre behavior. The narrative takes an interesting turn and fearlessly incorporates ambitious twists. However, the true brilliance of The Hole in the Ground lies in its captivating and deeply unsettling execution. One scene, in particular, stands out as Sarah (Seána Kerslake) witnesses her son's reflection in a mirror and realizes that he has been taken by a monstrous entity. This chilling and impactful scare remains one of the most memorable moments in the film.

'Oculus' (2013)

Director: Mike Flanagan

Image via Relativity Media

Oculus, a breakout success from renowned horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan, captivated audiences with its eerie and chilling atmosphere, choosing to rely on dread rather than graphic violence. Flanagan's exceptional direction made it a favorite on the festival circuit and a thrilling experience for horror enthusiasts.

The film centers around two siblings who, still grappling with the traumatic loss of their parents during childhood, return to their old home determined to destroy a cursed antique mirror they believe is responsible for the tragedy. However, they find themselves ensnared in a life-or-death battle. By presenting innovative ideas, such as casting the mirror itself as the villain, Oculus pleasantly surprises and delights fans of the horror genre.

Watch on Tubi

'Candyman' (1992)

Director: Bernard Rose

Image via Tristar Pictures

Based on the Bloody Mary legend, Candyman is a highly underrated slasher film that skillfully incorporates the use of mirrors to intensify the horror. The story revolves around a graduate student who delves into a myth surrounding a homicidal soul, accidentally unleashing the Candyman - a terrifying demonic figure with a hook for a hand - into the world, resulting in catastrophic consequences.

To summon the malevolent spirit, one must utter the name "Candyman" five times in front of a mirror, leading to the villain mercilessly killing anyone who summons him. The success of Candyman spawned several sequels, largely due to its enduringly memorable antagonist. Nevertheless, the film itself surpasses expectations, serving as an early example of elevated horror. Candyman received widespread acclaim for its ability to deliver thrilling slasher elements while simultaneously addressing racial issues prevalent in America.

Watch on AMC+

'Poltergeist' (1982)

Director: Tobe Hooper

Image via MGM/UA Entertainment

A young family is haunted by a multitude of malevolent spirits. Initially, the spirits appear innocent and mischievous, but their behavior soon takes a sinister turn, terrifying the entire family. When the spirits finally abduct the youngest daughter, the family enlists the help of a parapsychologist for a risky rescue mission.

Even after four decades, Poltergeist continues to be regarded as a highly esteemed horror film due to its exceptional performances, compelling dialogue, spine-chilling supernatural elements, and impressive special effects. The influence of Steven Spielberg only adds to its enduring allure. Among the film's most memorable moments is the horrifying scene where the paranormal investigator, Marty (played by Martin Casella), peels off his own skin, which is considered by many as a pinnacle of mirror-based cinematography in the horror genre.

'Us' (2009)

Director: Jordan Peele

Image via Universal Pictures

Us, a true gem of modern horror, showcases the talent of breakout horror maestro Jordan Peele. Blending home invasion horror with powerful social commentary, this genuinely chilling film follows Adelaide Wilson (played by Lupita Nyong'o) and her family as they embark on a coastal vacation, only to be relentlessly attacked by a horde of deranged dopplegängers.

The story unravels the disturbing truth that these lookalikes, known as "the Tethered," are the result of a failed government experiment, abandoned to dwell in underground tunnels. From the film's gripping opening in a carnival's house of mirrors, to its heart-stopping finale, the audience is left with a lingering sense of visceral terror. Nyong'o delivers an outstanding performance, further solidifying Us as one of the most intelligent and captivating modern horror movies. With his exceptional talent, Peele has firmly established himself as a once-in-a-generation filmmaker.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have grown up watching horror movies and have always been fascinated by the use of mirrors as a source of terror. Mirrors are often associated with vanity and self-obsession, which can be unsettling in a horror context. They can also be seen as portals to other worlds or dimensions, which can be a source of fear and anxiety.

The idea of a mirror being a conduit for evil or a malevolent force is a compelling one, and it has been explored in many horror movies. Some of my favorites include Oculus, Mirrors, and Dark Mirror. These films all use mirrors to create a sense of unease and dread, and they all feature memorable scenes that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.

Overall, I think that mirrors are an effective tool for creating horror, and I am always excited to see how they will be used in future films.