A lot can be done with the haunted mirror subgenre. I mean, look at the unstoppable legacy of Bloody Mary. Instead of taking the routine approach, Vertical Entertainment, Paralleloverse and Tremendum Pictures created a film that gradually builds its story across multiple genres before hitting audiences in the back with a spine-chilling horror story. Written and directed by Matthew Whedon and Andrew Mecham, BEHIND YOU follows two sisters who find themselves living with their odd and estranged aunt inside her enormous home following a tragic event. Soon after being relentlessly told not to leave their bedroom at night, the girls discover that all the mirrors in their new environment are covered or hidden. When one of the sisters discovers a hidden mirror in the basement, she accidentally unleashes an evil demon that has haunted her family for decades. Starring Addy Miller, Elizabeth Birkner, Jan Broberg, Philip Brodie and Aimee-Lynn Chadwick, BEHIND YOU is releasing on April 17th 2020 and here’s why it’s deserving of a watch.
One talking point is the passage of time for Addy Miller, who recently returned to the show that made her famous in a 2017 episode of “The Walking Dead.” Addy started acting when she was just ten years old, and now as an adult she’s receiving meatier roles that show her true depth as a promising actress. Sometimes you need to experience life to dig into the emotions your character needs to exude, and Addy turns in a wonderful, powerful and empathetic performance in BEHIND YOU. It’s a tie between both leading ladies, really, as Elizabeth Birkner turned in a showing that was just as impressive. Imagine being two young women, strapped in an unfamiliar environment, and being told to ignore the noises you hear in the house at night – should you dare to ever leave your room. It’s a horror film cliche that dates back to the black-and-white era, but it works in BEHIND YOU’s favor thanks to the pre-determined notion that you could experience something evil and the way the film glazes over multiple categories of subject matter.
BEHIND YOU was produced by Jesse Ranney and Larissa Beck; and features cinematography by Benjamin Allred and editing by Aaron Tharp and Andy Matthews. While I did love the cinematic quality of the house during the interior shots and night shots, I wasn’t a big fan of how it looked during the day. Certain scenes, at least to me, didn’t look as cohesive as the others and looked like they were filmed differently. That’s literally my only complaint in regards to BEHIND YOU, which I think is ready for a theatrical release. It has the same feel and atmosphere of titles that go to theaters independently and leave the box office as a much bigger hit. BEHIND YOU has an almost modern gothic sense to it that I enjoyed and a story that is far from predictable. A dark drama to a crime thriller to a hostage situation to a genuine horror flick, BEHIND YOU takes viewers on a wild ride from start to finish. Uncover the mirrors and buckle up!
Either way, a tragic and haunting cycle continues in BEHIND YOU, out April 17th 2020. Oh, and I’m giving it an extra point because the use of music – that sounds like Three Blind Mice – is still stuck in my head. Final Score: 8 out of 10. Purchase BEHIND YOU here.
