Mirrors

Yet another American remake of an Asian horror film, Mirrors follows former policeman and recovering substance abuser Ben Carson (Kiefer Sutherland) who, separated from his wife (Paula Patton) and temporarily living with his sister (Amy Smart), takes a night-watchman job in an old, haunted mental hospital. The movie combines supernatural horror with police procedural as Ben looks for a rational explanation for the presence of demons in the hospital’s mirrors. Director Alexandre Aja crafts some extremely disturbing and unnecessarily graphic sequences, but his reliance on gore effects doesn’t offset long stretches of tedium, typified by Ben’s silent, interminable walks through the massive building.

Shelf Talk: Fox is releasing Mirrors two days after the season premiere of Sutherland’s hit TV show 24, and we’re guessing that the studio will air a spot or two for the movie during that broadcast, in addition to supporting the release with national advertising in various media. You can pitch this film to devotees of Asian horror and fans of up-and-coming shock specialist Aja, who also directed the recent Hills Have Eyes remake.