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Thriller

Looking Glass (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Looking Glass (2018) movie poster

Looking Glass is a 2018 thriller directed by Tim Hunter, starring Nicolas Cage as Ray, Robin Tunney and Bill Bolender. It runs 1 hour 43 minutes and earned $76,788 worldwide. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best Action / Adventure Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2019. Critics gave it 23% on Rotten Tomatoes and 33 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10.

IMDb rating
4.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
23%
worldwide gross
$76.8K
award nomination
1
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Looking Glass (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 43m (103 min)
Director
Tim Hunter
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Looking Glass About?

The premise of Looking Glass without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Seeking a fresh start, Ray and Maggie purchase a remote motel, hoping to mend their fractured relationship. However, Ray’s investigation into the property’s unsettling past reveals a history of violence and disturbing events. Consumed by the mysteries he discovers beyond a peculiar two-way mirror, Ray becomes increasingly fixated, jeopardizing his marriage and pushing himself to the brink of madness as he tries to uncover the truth.

Looking Glass Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • death of daughter
  • female nudity
  • female female kiss
  • peeping tom
  • motel owner
  • voyeur
  • voyeurism
  • two way mirror
  • lesbian sex
  • lesbian couple
  • female exhibitionist
  • murder mystery
+38 more
  • motel
  • drinking beer while driving
  • taking a pill
  • prescription bottle
  • blowing out candles on a birthday cake
  • laundry room
  • door chained shut
  • bolt cutter
  • first guest
  • motel room 10
  • regular customer
  • paying with cash
  • gratuity
  • semi tractor
  • motel room 6
  • caulk gun
  • climbing a ladder
  • one way mirror
  • swimming pool
  • sunbathing
  • wooden ladder
  • flashlight
  • dancing
  • dream sequence
  • awakened by door bell
  • maintenance room
  • hidden passage
  • blame
  • suffocated with gloved hand
  • shoulder massage
  • casino
  • jackpot
  • bloody door knob
  • pig carcass floating in a swimming pool
  • bloody hand
  • graduation photograph
  • cremating an animal carcass
  • newscast
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Cast & crew

Looking Glass Cast & Characters

Nicolas Cage leads the cast as Ray, with Robin Tunney as Maggie and Bill Bolender as Ben. Directed by Tim Hunter; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Looking Glass

· 7 more
From the director

More from Tim Hunter

More films directed by Tim Hunter, best-rated first: Tex, River's Edge, The Far Side of Jericho and Smiley Face Killers.

Full filmography
Ratings

Looking Glass Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Looking Glass 23% on Rotten Tomatoes and 33 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 48/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in story & flow (30).

48 /100

Looking Glass Echo Score Breakdown

In overall terms, Looking Glass struggles to reconcile its atmospheric ambitions with a coherent narrative. While the cinematography and score occasionally establish a compelling mood and the leads deliver committed performances, the screenplay’s uneven pacing and predictable twists fail to sustain engagement. Narrative gaps and underdeveloped character arcs further weaken emotional resonance. Ultimately, the film’s stylistic strengths cannot fully compensate for its structural shortcomings, resulting in a mixed and uneven viewing experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film displays uneven visual execution. The retro color palette and occasional atmospheric framing evoke evocative moods, but direction often lacks stylistic coherence and editing feels disjointed. Several scenes benefit from strong location design, yet most segments fail to sustain visual consistency. Overall, the artful intentions do not fully coalesce.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances are a relative highlight despite shallow characterization. The leads deliver committed portrayals that convey basic emotional stakes, yet supporting roles exhibit minimal depth and chemistry. Dialogue seldom reveals inner motivations, limiting emotional resonance. Concluding, acting quality offers intermittent engagement, but underdeveloped character arcs hinder deeper audience connection.

  • Story & Flow 30

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative suffers from pacing issues and a predictable structure. The central mystery unfolds with minimal suspense, and plot twists lack satisfying setup or payoff. Scenes often feel inert, diminishing engagement. Ultimately, a disjointed screenplay undermines potential intrigue and fails to deliver coherent narrative momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    When it comes to sensory experience, the score and sound design provide intermittent tension, and occasional atmospheric cues evoke a retro suspense aesthetic. Cinematic textures, including grainy filters and moody lighting, contribute to a Lynchian undercurrent. However, these elements are applied inconsistently, with few truly immersive sequences. In sum, the sensory palette yields moments of atmosphere but lacks sustained cohesion.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s uneven pacing and unresolved narrative diminish repeat value. While isolated stylistic details and committed lead performances offer brief appeal, the lack of narrative clarity and emotional depth reduces lasting engagement. Overall, the movie offers limited incentive for subsequent viewings.

Plot

Looking Glass Plot Summary

What happens in Looking Glass from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

As Ray (Nicolas Cage) and Maggie (Robin Tunney) grapple with the profound sorrow of their recent loss, they find themselves yearning for a new beginning amid the stark and haunting beauty of the California desert. Taking a daring step, they decide to purchase a dilapidated motel from Ben (Bill Bolender), a seller who seems more eager to vanish than to part with his property. The couple, hoping for tranquility, soon becomes ensnared in a perplexing web of secrets and enigmas, further exacerbated by Ben’s sudden disappearance that casts a shadow over their new endeavor.

Full summary

The whole story of Looking Glass, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Looking Glass Box Office

Looking Glass grossed $76,788 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$76.8K

International
$76.8K
Awards

Looking Glass Awards & Nominations

Looking Glass earned 1 award nomination, including Best Action / Adventure Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2019.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Looking Glass Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Looking Glass.

Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Looking Glass?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who are the main characters struggling with a devastating loss?

Cars

Cars in Looking Glass

20 cars on screen, including the 1997 Chevrolet K-1500 and the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria.

All 20 cars
  • 1997 Chevrolet K-1500 in Looking Glass 1997 Chevrolet K-1500 Main role
  • 2003 Ford Crown Victoria in Looking Glass 2003 Ford Crown Victoria Important role
  • 2005 Ford Mustang in Looking Glass 2005 Ford Mustang Important role
  • Kenworth W-900 in Looking Glass Kenworth W-900 Important role
Details

Looking Glass Also Known As

22 alternative titles, including “The Watcher - Willkommen im Motor Way Motel” and “El espejo”.

Also known as
  • The Watcher - Willkommen im Motor Way Motel
  • El espejo
  • The Watcher
  • Огледало
  • Зеркало
  • Za zrcadlem
  • Detrás del espejo
  • Ne nézz a tükörbe!
  • 루킹 글라스
  • Zwierciadło
  • O Espelho
  • Looking Glass - Oltre lo specchio
+10 more
  • 窥镜
  • L'effet miroir
  • חלון אחורי
  • 偷窺十號房
  • Za zrkadlom
  • ダークサイド
  • Дзеркало
  • Bí Ẩn Sau Tấm Gương
  • Dincolo de oglindă
  • The Watcher – Willkommen im Motor Way Motel

Seen Looking Glass?

FAQ

Looking Glass FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Looking Glass, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Looking Glass?

Looking Glass runs 1 hour 43 minutes (103 minutes).

When was Looking Glass released?

Looking Glass was released on February 16, 2018.

Who directed Looking Glass?

Looking Glass was directed by Tim Hunter.

More films by Tim Hunter

Who is in the cast of Looking Glass?

Looking Glass stars Nicolas Cage as Ray, Robin Tunney as Maggie and Bill Bolender as Ben, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Looking Glass make at the box office?

Looking Glass grossed $76,788 worldwide.

How is Looking Glass rated?

Looking Glass has 4.7/10 on IMDb, 23% on Rotten Tomatoes, 33 on Metacritic and 47% on TMDB.

Was Looking Glass nominated for any awards?

Looking Glass received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.

Does Looking Glass have a post-credit scene?

No. Looking Glass has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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