The Girl in the Mirror Season 1 review: A masterclass on psychological-thriller done right

4/5

STORY: Alma is still young when her life flips upside down after surviving a terrible bus accident that had not only unfolded under bizarre circumstances, but also claimed the lives of all her classmates. Take my word for it, this Spanish psychological mystery-thriller is not for the faint hearted. 

REVIEW: With the release of the sequel of another cult classic psychological thriller fast approaching—Orphan: First Kill, debut installment being Orphan (2009), if you are asking—the excitement over exploring this Spanish horror-mystery (originally titled Alma) was naturally heightened for me. To begin with, the intriguing title, and on top of that, the hype around it in chatrooms amongst global fans of the genre, The Girl In The Mirror (TGITM) is supernatural pitted against dark mystery in one long-ish series; both win. 

Going back to the diegesis, thankfully, Alma (Mireia Oriol) wakes up after that life-altering accident that had claimed the tender lives of her peers. But, the catch is: Alma does not have any recollection of the accident or anything surrounding that traumatic event. Determined to regain control over her mind and memories, Alma embarks on a path to rediscovering herself, what follows, though, is a series of aberrant and grostesque incidents that can safely be labelled as 'atypical' and/or 'paranormal'. Carefully planted clues, embedded as breadcrumbs into the narrative, lead us to the big reveal. The climax is made to leave one gasping for breath, and one sure does. 

Since the series is predominantly horror-mystery, creator Sergio G. Sanchez (The Impossible, Marrowbone) has inculcated gore and ghastly elements in the most unexpected of places. So, as an unassuming viewer, I was shocked and surprised in equal measure, which is not a drawback considering the genre demands the audience stay on the edge of their seats. 

Speaking of gore, The Girl in the Mirror definitely warrants a trigger warning: The bold approach of the show means there are graphic details and images, especially during the bus-accident sequence, that could evoke unsettling emotons in some. mainly in those who have faced similar fate in a personal capacity or know someone who has. 

Although the title is self-explanatory, it's still worth mentioning that TGINM is one of those series' that is driven by strong, well-chalked-out characters and does not rely on the conflict-solution format of storytelling otherwise followed in this subgenre.

Mireia Oriol (The Pact), needless to say, is the heart and soul of the show, and of course, the mystery girl she sees in the mirror who eerily contributes to pushing the narrative forward. Oriol, as an amnesic young-adult, leaves her viewers feeling frustrated for her sorry existence: a feat attained only by prim and polished of actors, I hear. 

The Girl in the Mirror is a masterclass on what a well-rounded and successfully executed psychological-thriller should look like. Get this: the show's long over and I am still terrified to look back in the mirror!

VERDICT: A must-watch for those seeking suspense and thrill on a Friday night, or generally in life.