{"id":1853,"date":"2025-04-04T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T12:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/?p=1853"},"modified":"2025-04-07T14:38:54","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T14:38:54","slug":"amazon-prime-streaming-underrated-horror-film-that-grabs-you-by-the-throat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/04\/amazon-prime-streaming-underrated-horror-film-that-grabs-you-by-the-throat\/","title":{"rendered":"Amazon Prime streaming underrated horror film that \u2018grabs you by the throat\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_246263002-0f00.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22850703\" alt=\"Karen Gillan as Kaylie in Oculus. She is looking straight at the camera and appears scared\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Mike Flanagan&#8217;s chilling 2013 horror Oculus has arrived on Amazon Prime Video (Picture: John Estes\/THA\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Before finding success with his smash hit <a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/netflix\/\">Netflix<\/a> horror shows and his terrifying big-screen hits, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/12\/03\/the-midnight-club-mike-flanagan-drops-spoilers-after-netflix-axe-17872426\/\">Mike Flanagan<\/a> released the &#8216;underrated&#8217; chiller Oculus.<\/p>\n<p>Released in 2013, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2014\/10\/20\/exclusive-karen-gillan-starrer-oculus-is-proof-that-mirrors-can-be-seriously-scary-4912272\/\">Oculus<\/a> is told through two inter-woven timelines in which siblings Kaylie (<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/karen-gillan\/\">Karen Gillan<\/a>\/Annalise Basso) and Tim (Brenton Thwaites\/Garrett Ryan) confront a supernatural force that tore their family apart years earlier.<\/p>\n<p>They are convinced an antique mirror is the source of the misfortune and deaths their family has faced for decades, with Tim reconnecting with Kaylie after a stay in a mental institution to discuss the traumatic events of their childhood.<\/p>\n<p>The &#8216;visceral&#8217; film has finally arrived on <a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/amazon-prime-video\/\">Amazon Prime Video<\/a> to stream from the comfort of your own home &#8211; if you dare.<\/p>\n<p>Oculus premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2012, receiving a theatrical release shortly after.<\/p>\n<p>It garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, currently sitting at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rottentomatoes.com\/m\/oculus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a 75% rating<\/a> on <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/rotten-tomatoes\/\">Rotten Tomatoes<\/a> with the critics&#8217; consensus reading: &#8216;With an emphasis on dread over gore and an ending that leaves the door wide open for sequels, Oculus could be just the first spine-tingling chapter in a new franchise for discerning horror fans.&#8217;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Oculus - Trailer - Official Warner Bros UK\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tKVANjViHq8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_246263109-7f9d.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22850695\" alt=\"For Editorial Use Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Estes\/THA\/REX\/Shutterstock (15063470j) Karen Gillian and Brenton Thwaites star in Relativity Media&#039;s OCULUS. Photo Credit: John Estes ? 2014 Lasser Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. &quot;Oculus&quot; (2014)\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>The supernatural horror film starring Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites is set across two timelines telling the story of one family&#8217;s trauma (Picture: John Estes\/THA\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In their review, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scifinow.co.uk\/reviews\/oculus-film-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sci-Fi Now<\/a> said: &#8216;By rooting its clever narrative structure in a tragic story, Mike has created a horror that pulls on the heartstrings as often as it grabs you by the throat\u2026 Nail-biting, mind-bending, and very, very scary, Oculus is a must-see.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment\/movies\/moviesnow\/la-et-mn-oculus-review-20140411,0,227671.story#axzz2yWo5fkXw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Los Angeles Times<\/a> wrote: &#8216;Less concerned with fake shocks and show-me violence than the grimly calibrated rotting of personalities, Oculus is one of the more intelligently nasty horror films in recent memory.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/goingoutguide\/movies\/oculus-movie-review-a-satisfyingly-scary-ghost-story\/2014\/04\/10\/660817da-bb5e-11e3-9a05-c739f29ccb08_story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Washington Post<\/a> compared it to another ground-breaking horror film, adding &#8216;Oculus director Mike Flanagan has crafted a satisfyingly old-fashioned ghost story that, in its evocation of shivery dread, is the most unnerving poltergeist picture since The Conjuring.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.indiewire.com\/article\/review-why-oculus-is-one-of-the-scariest-american-horror-movies-in-years\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IndieWire<\/a> commented: &#8216;Director Mike Flanagan turns the fragile nature of consciousness into a better fear tactic than any visceral shocks could possibly achieve.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, film expert Mark Kermode said in his <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/film\/2014\/jun\/15\/oculus-review-creepy-thriller-first-class-script\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Observer<\/a> review: &#8216;This unpretentiously efficient affair handles its dual-narrative past\/present intercuts with aplomb and keeps a couple of nicely nasty tricks up its sleeve.&#8217;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"430\" src=\"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/SEI_246263027-59e3.jpg\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22850696\" alt=\"For Editorial Use Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Estes\/THA\/REX\/Shutterstock (15063470l) Garrett Ryan (left) and Annalise Basso (right) star in Relativity Media&#039;s OCULUS. Photo Credit: John Estes ? 2014 Lasser Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. &quot;Oculus&quot; (2014)\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t<\/div><figcaption>Oculus boasts a strong Rotten Tomatoes score with viewers praising its themes and chilling delivery (Picture: John Estes\/THA\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Oculus was the second feature film from revered horror director Flanagan, following his 2011 debut Absentia.<\/p>\n<p>He has since gone on to direct <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2020\/08\/14\/modern-horror-movies-80-rotten-tomatoes-watch-netflix-before-die-hush-hereditary-13127505\/\">Hush<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2015\/04\/30\/ouija-2-horror-film-sequel-confirmed-with-2016-release-date-5176014\/\">Ouija: Origin of Evil<\/a>, and Stephen King adaptations of <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/04\/11\/messed-up-netflix-film-based-stephen-king-novel-makes-fans-faint-20629256\/\">Gerald&#8217;s Game<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2019\/10\/27\/doctor-sleep-gets-critic-approval-amid-claims-best-stephen-king-adaptation-since-shawshank-redemption-10993191\/\">Doctor Sleep<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Flanagan is set to release The Life of Chuck, based on the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/stephen-king\/\">Stephen King<\/a> novella of the same name, on August 22 starring <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/tom-hiddleston\/\">Tom Hiddleston<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/01\/31\/scream-legend-returning-dead-leaving-fans-fuming-cheap-sequel-twist-22470800\/\">Matthew Lillard<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/mark-hamill\/\">Mark Hamill<\/a>, and Oculus star Gillan.<\/p>\n<p>On Netflix, he was the creator of the award-winning horror series <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2019\/08\/17\/netflixs-haunting-hill-house-getting-directors-cut-apparently-werent-scared-enough-10588232\/\">The Haunting of Hill House<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2020\/10\/05\/haunting-of-bly-manor-review-netflix-victoria-pedretti-oliver-jackson-cohen-13370137\/\">The Haunting of Bly Manor<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2021\/10\/31\/midnight-mass-netflix-star-michael-trucco-hints-at-possible-season-2-15497202\/\">Midnight Mass<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2022\/10\/07\/the-midnight-club-mike-flanagans-new-netflix-series-breaks-world-record-17523458\/\">The Midnight Club<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/09\/23\/fall-of-the-house-of-usher-is-mike-flanagan-at-his-spooky-best-19517718\/\">The Fall of the House of Usher<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The director is also attached to <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2024\/10\/21\/legendary-horror-film-set-tv-remake-almost-50-years-original-21838787\/\">an upcoming remake of Stephen King&#8217;s Carrie<\/a> as well as his take on The Exorcist in a sequel to <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2023\/10\/06\/the-exorcist-believer-director-addresses-supernatural-happenings-19605658\/\">David Gordon Green&#8217;s 2023 film The Exorcist: Believer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Oculus is available to stream now on Amazon Prime Video<\/em><\/strong>. <\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tWhere to stream more Mike Flanagan films\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Absentia (2011) &#8211; Plex<\/li>\n<li>Hush (2016) &#8211; Shuder via Amazon Prime Video and Plex<\/li>\n<li>Before I Wake (2016) &#8211; Netflix<\/li>\n<li>Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016) &#8211; NowTV and Sky<\/li>\n<li>Gerald&#8217;s Game (2017) &#8211; Netflix<\/li>\n<li>Doctor Sleep (2019) &#8211; Available to rent from Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Sky Store<\/li>\n<li>The Life of Chuck (2025) &#8211; In UK cinemas from August 22<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\">Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\">Submit Stuff<\/a> page &#8211; we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p class=\"text-justify mb-2\" >Mike Flanagan&#8217;s chilling 2013 horror Oculus has arrived on Amazon Prime Video (Picture: John Estes\/THA\/REX\/Shutterstock) Before finding success with his smash hit Netflix horror shows and his terrifying big-screen hits, Mike Flanagan released the &#8216;underrated&#8217; chiller Oculus. Released in 2013, Oculus is told through two [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1855,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1853"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1853"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1853\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1859,"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1853\/revisions\/1859"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1853"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nichesitetool.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}