Mirrors
An ex-cop and his family are the target of an evil force that is using mirrors as a gateway into their home.
Despite a moderate budget of $35.0M, Mirrors became a financial success, earning $72.4M worldwide—a 107% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Mirrors (2008) reveals carefully calibrated plot construction, characteristic of Alexandre Aja's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 51 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ben Carson, a troubled ex-cop struggling with alcoholism and guilt, works as a night watchman at the burned Mayflower department store, estranged from his family.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Ben discovers the violently mutilated body of Gary Lewis, the previous night watchman, and realizes the mirrors are showing him disturbing reflections that don't match reality.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 27 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This demonstrates the protagonist's commitment to After his sister Angie is killed by her own reflection in a horrific bathtub scene, Ben actively chooses to hunt down the truth about the mirrors to save his family, crossing into a supernatural investigation., moving from reaction to action.
At 54 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Structural examination shows that this crucial beat Ben finds Anna Esseker living as a nun in a remote convent, but she refuses to return to the mirrors. He realizes the demon possessing the mirrors wants Anna back, raising the stakes exponentially., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 83 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ben's son Michael is possessed through his reflection and nearly kills Amy. Ben realizes he may have to sacrifice Anna to save his family, reaching his moral and emotional breaking point., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Synthesis at 88 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Ben floods the Mayflower basement, destroying the mirrors and trapping the demon. He fights through the mirror dimension, ultimately sacrificing himself by staying in the reflected world to ensure his family's safety., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Mirrors's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Mirrors against these established plot points, we can identify how Alexandre Aja utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Mirrors within the horror genre.
Alexandre Aja's Structural Approach
Among the 5 Alexandre Aja films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Mirrors represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Alexandre Aja filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional horror films include Lake Placid, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Cat's Eye. For more Alexandre Aja analyses, see High Tension, The Hills Have Eyes and Piranha 3D.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ben Carson, a troubled ex-cop struggling with alcoholism and guilt, works as a night watchman at the burned Mayflower department store, estranged from his family.
Theme
Ben's sister Angie tells him "You can't keep punishing yourself forever," establishing the theme of guilt, redemption, and confronting one's reflection.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Ben's fractured life: his separation from wife Amy and children, his new job at the Mayflower, the burned building's eerie atmosphere, and the mysterious mirrors that survived the fire intact.
Disruption
Ben discovers the violently mutilated body of Gary Lewis, the previous night watchman, and realizes the mirrors are showing him disturbing reflections that don't match reality.
Resistance
Ben investigates the mirrors' power, experiencing increasingly terrifying phenomena. He researches the building's history, discovers it was built on the site of a psychiatric hospital, and learns about patient Esseker.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
After his sister Angie is killed by her own reflection in a horrific bathtub scene, Ben actively chooses to hunt down the truth about the mirrors to save his family, crossing into a supernatural investigation.
Mirror World
Ben reconnects with his estranged wife Amy, enlisting her help and protection for their children. Their relationship becomes the emotional anchor as the supernatural threat forces them to work together.
Premise
Ben pursues the mystery of Anna Esseker, tracking down records from the psychiatric hospital. He learns about demonic possession, discovers Anna is still alive, and races to find her while the mirrors escalate attacks on his family.
Midpoint
Ben finds Anna Esseker living as a nun in a remote convent, but she refuses to return to the mirrors. He realizes the demon possessing the mirrors wants Anna back, raising the stakes exponentially.
Opposition
The mirrors intensify their assault on Ben's family. Amy and the children face terrifying attacks. Ben kidnaps Anna and forcibly brings her back to New York, growing more desperate and morally compromised as time runs out.
Collapse
Ben's son Michael is possessed through his reflection and nearly kills Amy. Ben realizes he may have to sacrifice Anna to save his family, reaching his moral and emotional breaking point.
Crisis
Ben grapples with the impossible choice between an innocent woman's life and his family's survival, confronting his deepest guilt and the limits of redemption.
Act III
ResolutionSynthesis
Ben floods the Mayflower basement, destroying the mirrors and trapping the demon. He fights through the mirror dimension, ultimately sacrificing himself by staying in the reflected world to ensure his family's safety.
Transformation
Ben awakens in a mirror world where everything is reversed, realizing he's now trapped on the other side. He has saved his family but lost himself, achieving redemption through ultimate sacrifice.