History Main / MirrorScare

* ''Film/{{Mirrors}}'' uses this trope throughout the entire film.
** As does its original, the Korean ''Film/IntoTheMirror''.

Close sibling to OffscreenTeleportation. Scarier cousin to StealthHiBye. See also DangerTakesABackSeat. If the scary thing in the mirror is ''the one looking into it'', it's a TomatoInTheMirror. Subtrope of ToiletHorror, as this almost always takes place in a bathroom.

** Parodied in a Mexican advertisement for Renault's auto shop service. The auto mechanic is inspecting the interior of the car when he adjusts the rear view mirror --and the horrific rotted form of "Samara" pops up into view. He berates her and tells her that her car will be ready in ''less'' than [[{{Catchphrase}} seven days]]. She whimpers and leaves him to his work.

* In ''WesternAnimation/PussInBootsTheLastWish'', the introductory scene for one of the film's main villains, The Big Bad Wolf, involves the Wolf appearing suddenly in a mirror when the titular Puss in Boots stops drinking a glass of milk and looks over at him.

* ''ComicBook/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast'': Link and the fairy duo head out to the Swamp Palace but discover that it's completely dried up. Link calls to Sahasrahla for help and asks him to go to the Light World location of the Palace, where Sahasrahla and the boy find a fountain. The boy, excited to see Link in the pool of water, suddenly shouts at Link to look out for the Taurus right behind him.

* An episode of ''Series/{{Star Trek|TheOriginalSeries}}'' had Uhura look in a mirror in her quarters and be confronted by an image of Captain Kirk...who had died just the day before! (He got better, of course.)
** Also happened in an episode of ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration''. Beverly pick up a mirror and sees the ghost that has been haunting her standing behind her.
* In the ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'' episode [[Recap/SupernaturalS02E20WhatIsAndWhatShouldNeverBe "What Is And What Should Never Be"]], Dean sees the woman in white, now covered in blood, in the mirror on the closet door.

* Famously used at the end of the pilot episode of ''Series/TwinPeaks'' - an eagle-eyed viewer can spot [[GreaterScopeVillain BOB]] as a reflection in Sarah Palmer's wall mirror.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': In "Yesterday's Lie", Luz is at her home in the human realm and going through her closet with sliding mirror doors. When she closes it, her reflection is suddenly replaced by a different version of herself that angrilly shouts [[YouExclamation "YOU!"]]. [[spoiler:The one in the mirror is the ''real'' Luz, having entered a portal dimension that lets her see from any reflective surface; the Luz in the human realm is actually a basilisk that's been masquerading as her the entire time she's been gone.]]

* ''Series/PersonOfInterest''. In "High Road", a criminal sees a glass door on a balcony unlocked and pulls it closed, [[MookHorrorShow revealing John Reese reflected from behind him]], having [[FastRoping entered through the door earlier]].

** "The Hitch-Hiker" ends with Inger Stevens finding the title character in the back of her car this way. It's not really that much of a scare, though, since by that point she's already figured out (and accepted) his [[DontFearTheReaper true identity]].
** This trope is also explored in "The Mirror". A Fidel Castro {{Expy}} named Ramos Clemente stages a successful coup with the help of four allies. The dictator they depose warns Clemente that he will soon begin to see enemies everywhere, especially in an ornate mirror hanging on his office wall. Clemente ignores this, but as the episode goes on and he begins to use more and more militaristic tactics, he starts having Mirror Scares of his four allies standing behind him with weapons. He orders them killed one by one, only to realize too late that [[TomatoInTheMirror the true demon in the mirror was himself all along]].

* Double subversion in ''Film/{{Octopus}}''. The resident HotScientist is getting changed. She closes the bathroom mirror while ominous music plays in the background, then... nothing. Until she turns around, and suddenly the bad guy is there.

[[/folder]]open

[[/folder]]

* ''ComicBook/IncredibleHulk'':

* The page image is courtesy of a common [[MemeticMutation fan interpretation]] of a special rule from ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''. The character (the one in the image with a cigar) is Lord Castellan Ursakar Creed, who has a special rule called "Tactical Genius", [[http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Creed#Gallery which has been interpreted to let a unit appear from nowhere]]. (In this case, moving the Lord Castellan and a small force through time and space to ambush, in the bathroom, the guy who's the closest thing the Chaos Space Marines have to a supreme leader). In practice, the rule allows one unit to outflank, more specifically to make a stealthy insertion onto the battle field from an unexpected quarter when the battle is underway. The part where it become MemeticMutation is that it may allow superheavy tanks and [[HumongousMecha Titans]] to make that stealthy insertion, and a more liberal interpretation of the rules could allow ''squadrons'' of them to appear.

* This also happened in the manga ''Manga/MoonChild'' when the beautiful [[AlphaBitch Holly]] is putting make-up on in her dressing room while getting ready for a dance (previously she was just awfully cruel to her friend and former lover, Art.) She looks into the mirror and sees a hideous EldritchAbomination looking back at her and she screams only for the thing to vanish.

* Stacy Cornbred does this to Debbie on ''WesternAnimation/CelebrityDeathmatch''.

* An common staple of ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'' comics is Bruce Banner starring into a mirror and being terrified [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQphnY01GS2rEjhQ9SsTi2EpdeWbUErKZ6G9g&usqp=CAU at the sight of Hulk]] [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcTRACxcMmkvcdS8II3bXwfmD-KtzquVobQM7g&usqp=CAU his alter ego looking back at him]]. It's so iconic it made it into the Creator/AngLee [[Film/{{Hulk}} movie]] during a NightmareSequence.

* ''Series/TheTwilightZone'':

* An common staple of ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'' comics is Bruce Banner starring into a mirror and being terrified [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQphnY01GS2rEjhQ9SsTi2EpdeWbUErKZ6G9g&usqp=CAU at the sight of Hulk]] [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcTRACxcMmkvcdS8II3bXwfmD-KtzquVobQM7g&usqp=CAU his alter ego looking back at him]]. It’s so iconic it made it into the Creator/AngLee [[Film/{{Hulk}} movie]] during a NightmareSequence.

* An early use of this is in ''Film/AnAmericanWerewolfInLondon'' (1981), when the eponymous David Kessler sees [[spoiler:his highly decayed Undead best friend Jack Goodman]] in the mirror after he closes the medicine cabinet.

** ''Film/FreddyVsJason''. In Mark's nightmare, he's getting some pills to help him stay awake from the mirror cupboard in the bathroom. When he closes it again, his reflection is replaced by Freddy.

* In ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'', during the “No Momo” song number, Candace opens the medicine cabinet and the mirror reveals Ducky Momo in its reflection. But when she closes it and looks over, he is gone.

%% This list of examples has been alphabetized. Please add your example in the proper place. Thanks!

%%
[[quoteright:300:[[TabletopGame/Warhammer40000 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Creeeeeeeed_38.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:300:The Mirror Scare — Tactical Genius!]]

* ''Film/BasicInstinct''. After Nick has had sex with Catherine, he walks over to the bathroom and splashes some water on his face. When he looks up, the mirror reveals that Catherine's jealous girlfriend Roxy is standing behind him.
* In one of the flashbacks in ''Film/TheBody2012'', Mayka suddenly appears behind one of the lab doors, giving Álex a good scare.
%%* One happens in the remake of ''Film/TheAmityvilleHorror2005''.

* Used in a way in the ''Literature/BrokenSky'' series; the secret police of [[BigBad King Macaan]], the Jachyra, can see, hear, and even travel through mirrors, or anything sufficiently reflective. This causes a number scares with the mirror being stationary, as well as the main characters being incredibly paranoid around them. Any base which the [[LaResistance Parakka]] make has no reflective surfaces whatsoever.
* ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' has an EldritchAbomination called "He Who Walks Behind". As his name implies, He is ''always'' behind you, no matter where you turn, so the only way to see Him is in a mirror. Harry first encountered Him while looking at an arcade game. [[WalkingTechbane It shorts out]], and ''something'' appears reflected in the screen. Harry turns around; nothing there. Harry turns back; He Who Walks Behind is now standing two feet closer ''and smiling''.

* The first time you look at the bathroom mirror in ''VideoGame/{{Doom}} 3''.
* Several in ''VideoGame/TheSeventhGuest'', including Elinor Knox as a wealthy version of herself in the bedroom mirror, Julia Heine watching herself grow younger and younger in front of her dressing table mirror, and the literal TomatoInTheMirror scene in the attic near the end.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Catherine}}'' if you go wash your face in the bathroom of Stray Sheep before going home, the lights will flicker, the walls will drip with blood and there will be a brief flash of the boss you'll face that night.

* At one point in VideoGame/{{Blood}}, Caleb is startled by the sight of ''himself'' in a mirror. "WAUGH! ...oh. Just me."
* In one cutscene in ''VideoGame/Prototype2'', Rooks, alone, hangs up a phone call only to discover a reflection of Heller in his phone's screen. But just as he turns to look, he sees Riley, [[spoiler:who has long since been consumed by Heller, who is assuming his appearance]].
--> '''Douglas Rooks''': (''turns around quickly'') Jesus Christ, Riley, you should wear a fucking bell.

* Is both played straight and averted in ''VideoGame/ResidentEvil1'': In the Advance Mode of the Director's Cut of the original game, looking in the mirror in the mansion's bathroom causes a zombie to spring from behind you. In Invisible Enemy mode in REmake, seeing the monsters reflection is the only way you ever actually see them.

* Used quite subtly in WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd's episode on ''VideoGame/{{Polybius}}'', when ''something'' briefly appears in the reflection of an ''VideoGame/{{Asteroids}}'' cabinet, then runs off before the Nerd notices them. [[NothingIsScarier This is never referenced again or explained.]]

* {{Subverted|Trope}} in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''. The dream-manipulating Doctor Destiny is stalking his ex, who goes into the bathroom to wash her face after having a nightmare. The musical build-up makes it sound like he's going to be revealed with a mirror scare, but he isn't there. He's ''[[BehindTheBlack right next to her]]''.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSpectacularSpiderMan'', Otto Octavius is startled by his own reflection in his lab equipment, but is then frightened when he catches sight of {{Supervillain}} the Green Goblin hovering right behind him, in the process of stealing a Tech-Flight [[HoverBoard glider]]. This trope is later {{inverted|Trope}} when [[spoiler:Harry Osborn holds a vial of [[PsychoSerum Globulin Green]] up to his face, the ''viewer'' is briefly allowed to see the Green Goblin, as Harry's own, distorted reflection.]]
* Stacy Cornbred does this to Debbie on ''WesternAnimation/CelebrityDeathmatch''.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheTransformers'' during an arc where a HatePlague is going off and infecting most of the world including both Autobots and Decepticons, Rodimus Prime is currently shutting off Metroplex to make sure he won't be infected, only to look up at the monitor screen and see that an infected Ultra Magnus is coming up right behind him. Cue commercial break.
* In ''WesternAnimation/JackieChanAdventures'' Jade is getting her mouthwash from behind a mirror cabinet and when she closed the door the mirror reveals three Shadowkhan behind her. It turns into more of a funny moment when it takes her several seconds to notice them and does so with a SpitTake to the mirror. Becomes even funnier when the Shadowkhan [[spoiler:instead of attacking her [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness offer her cereal, toast and other breakfast food]].]]

* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': In "Yesterday's Lie", Luz is at her home in the human realm and going through her closet with sliding mirror doors. When she closes it, her reflection is suddenly replaced by a different version of herself that angrilly shouts [[YouExclamation "YOU!"]]. [[spoiler:The one in the mirror is the ''real'' Luz, having entered a portal dimension that lets her see from any reflective surface; the Luz in the human realm is actually a basilisk that's been masquerading as her the entire time she's been gone.]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* This happened once in ''Manga/DeathNote''; it's how Misa meets [[spoiler: Rem for the second time after losing her memories of the Death Note.]]

* An common staple of ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk comics is Bruce Banner starring into a mirror and being terrified [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcQphnY01GS2rEjhQ9SsTi2EpdeWbUErKZ6G9g&usqp=CAU at the sight of Hulk]] [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcTRACxcMmkvcdS8II3bXwfmD-KtzquVobQM7g&usqp=CAU his alter ego looking back at him]]. It’s so iconic it made it into the Creator/AngLee [[Film/{{Hulk}} movie]] during a NightmareSequence.
** In ''ComicBook/ImmortalHulk'', Hulk is stricken to see his father Brian [[https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcT931_UVvXJeuQOmpMA3jSh61_fyyfDSftGKg&usqp=CAU appearing to him in a reflection of a window]] while fighting Sasquatch.

* Batwoman has the TV variant in ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBadBlood'' when she switches off the news and sees [[spoiler:her father behind her just as he's about to shoot her.]]

* ''Film/{{Mirrors}}'' uses this trope throughout the entire film.
** As does its original, the Korean ''Into The Mirror''.
* The mirror in ''Film/{{Oculus}}'' not only uses this, but it's power of this trope extends ''outside of its reflection''.
* ''Film/ShaunOfTheDead'' uses this twice, once using Shaun's uptight flatmate complaining about his habits, and again, with a zombie attack by the same roommate.
* ''Film/StirOfEchoes'' uses this shot, but only for the audience: the monstrous ghost is unseen by the main character.
%%* Used twice in the original ''Film/TheHaunting1963''.
* In ''Film/LayerCake'', there's a [[SubvertedTrope subversion]] where the main character, in the middle of an angst-riddled drug- and whisky-fueled freak out, opens the mirrored bathroom cabinet, music builds and then as he closes it the action suddenly cuts to the next morning, with the character neatly dressed and his problems resolved.
* Subverted for what little it is worth in the Eddie Murphy action vehicle ''Film/{{Metro}}'' in which the {{Scare Chord}}s begin to play when the LoveInterest opens then closes the medicine cabinet yet the man out for her blood is not there. Perhaps the only thing "clever" that this movie did was subverting as many cop movie cliche' the writers could get their hands on.
* Occurs at the end of ''Film/{{Phantasm}}'' when [[spoiler:The Tall Man tells to the main character that things are far from over]]..
* Happens a few times in the Japanese version of ''Film/TheRing'' -- after Reiko watches the cursed videotape [[spoiler:and switches the television off, the ghostly form of Sadako is (very briefly) reflected in the TV screen. However, when she turns around, no-one is there.]] Also, near the end of the film, [[spoiler:Reiko sees the spirit of Ryuji, her estranged husband killed by Sadako shortly before, reflected in her television set.]]
** In the sequel of the American remake, [[CreepyChild Aiden]] discovers Samara is haunting him when he takes his own picture on a mirror -- each shot reveals Samara standing behind him... coming closer... closer... ''closer''...
** Parodied in a Mexican advertisement for Renault's auto shop service. The auto mechanic is inspecting the interior of the car when he adjusts the rear view mirror --and the horrific rotted form of "Samara" pops up into view. He berates her and tells her that her car will be ready in ''less'' than [[{{Catchphrase}} seven days]]. She whimpers and leaves him to his work.
* Used a few times in ''Film/WhatLiesBeneath'', most prominently [[spoiler:when the ghost seen reflected in the bathwater for the first time.]]
* Done in TheMovie of ''Film/VForVendetta'' at the murder of Lewis Prothero. Prothero watches himself on the TV and mimics himself wishing to meet V face to face. He then turns off the TV and OHMYGOD,HEISSTANDINGRIGHTBEHINDYOU!!!
* ''Film/LustCaution'': The heroine closes a window, and she spots the reflection of the villain in it--he had been sitting in a corner of the room all along, but she hadn't seen him.

* Happens twice in ''Film/{{Orphan}}''. The first time Kate visits the medicine cabinet, she closes the door to find nothing, the second time it's her husband standing behind her in a fake scare.

* Double subversion in ''Film/{{Octopus}}''. The resident HotScientist is getting changed. She closes the bathroom mirror while ominous music plays in the background, then... nothing. Until she turns around, and suddenly the bad guy is there.
* In ''Film/{{Nadja}}'', one of the indications that Nadja is (metaphorically) preying on Lucy's mind is a shot from Lucy's point of view as she watches Jim opening the bathroom medicine cabinet: as he opens it, Nadja seems to be reflected in the room behind them, but when he closes it again a moment later, she's gone. An interesting usage considering that the actual non-hallucinatory Nadja, being a vampire, doesn't ''have'' a reflection.
* The scene in ''Film/{{Signs}}'' where Graham pushes the television into the living room only to see [[spoiler:the reflection of the injured alien standing across the room holding Morgan's body]].

* Done well without even moving the mirror in ''Film/DrJekyllAndMrHyde1931''. Ivy, having just (so she thinks) escaped Hyde's grasp, sits in front of her mirror and toasts herself. Just as she finishes raising the glass, the door opens...
* Happens during the boat scene of ''Film/{{The Mummy|1999}}''.
* Used in a moment of self-parody in ''Film/{{Targets}}'' when Boris Karloff's [[IAmNotSpock elderly horror actor]] is startled by his own reflection.
* Technically, this happens in ''Film/{{Cabin Fever}}'', when you considder that the ''"villain"'' was a disease. Marcy discovers it's telltale rashes on her back when she turns around infront of the bathroom mirror. Of course, she doesn't realize yet that they are the first symptom of her disease because she thinks they are a sex injury.
* ''Film/BlackSwan'' is ''full'' of Mirror Scares.
* The scene in ''Film/FourteenOhEight'' where Mike sees a man in a room across the street, mimicing his movements ([[MindScrew which he wasn't doing a minute ago!]]), and realizes it's him. He sees a man strike the reflection down, only to realize the killer is behind him. Arguably one of the most horrifying moments in the whole movie.

* A less [[JumpScare Jump Scary]] version in ''Film/{{Below}}''. A submariner goes into a very dark bathroom and looks in the mirror. As he turns his face to the left and right, it seems like his reflection's movements are just a half-second behind his. Then when he turns to face the camera, his reflection half-turns, then looks out of the mirror again.
* Shown in the trailer for ''Film/ParanormalActivity3'', in which the two young sisters turn a video camera on in a darkened bathroom to try out the old 'Bloody Mary' UrbanLegend, leading to a brief JumpScare when the older sister turns on a flashlight and screams to scare the younger. As the two girls run out of the bathroom, however, they fail to notice the ominous silhouette in the mirror behind the camera.

* In ''Film/TheMothmanProphecies'', Gordon describes a strange hallucination which turned out to be prophetic, and started with his seeing something in his mirror that wasn't him. Later, John closes a medicine cabinet while looking away, the mirror briefly showing an indistinct face behind him which he doesn't see.
* Used in ''Film/WildThings'' when Kelly suddenly shows up in Sam's motel room after the trial, just before [[spoiler:it's revealed that they were partners]].

* In ''Film/JustFriends'' Mike is shown gargling in the bathroom before closing the medicine cabinet and we see [[{{Yandere}} Samantha]] suddenly reflected in the mirror.
* ''Film/DressedToKill'' has a surprise mirror shot of the killer in the closing nightmare scene.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': In "Yesterday's Lie", Luz is at her home in the human realm and going through her closet with sliding mirror doors. When she closes it, her reflection is suddenly replaced by a different version of herself that angrilly shouts [[YouExclamation "YOU!"]]. [[spoiler: The one in the mirror is the ''real'' Luz, having entered a portal dimension that lets her see from any reflective surface; the Luz in the human realm is actually demon that's been masquerading as her the entire time she's been gone.]]

* ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow''. Played for laughs when Ava Sharpe is doing her MorningRoutine and her lover Sara Lance does this complete with ScareChord.