TL;DR
Get books and cozy reading nights delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Spooky Isles’ review of “Here Comes the Mirror Man,” the third episode of the 1995 horror anthology Chiller, highlights its tense story, Gothic setting and John Simm’s performance as Gary. The review also notes the episode’s treatment of mental illness and social services, while its account is a critical assessment rather than new reporting about the production.
Spooky Isles has reviewed “Here Comes the Mirror Man,” the third episode of the 1995 ITV horror anthology Chiller, describing it as a tightly paced thriller anchored by John Simm’s portrayal of Gary, a troubled young man under the influence of an imagined alter ego. The review argues that the episode’s combination of contemporary social concerns and a decaying church setting makes it a stronger entry than the anthology’s two preceding episodes.
The episode follows Gary, a former mental-health patient who has been living in a derelict church after withdrawing from social services. His social worker, Wendy, finds him there and questions whether Michael, Gary’s dark alter ego, still has influence over him. Gary denies seeing Michael, but after Wendy leaves, Michael appears. The story soon establishes that Gary’s relationship with this persona is dangerous: Wendy is killed, and Gary later attacks a homeless couple who enter the church seeking shelter.
Wendy’s colleague Anna, played by Phyllis Logan, takes over the case and tries to locate Gary. He conceals his identity when they meet, while his attraction to Anna grows into a fixation. Her former partner, police officer Johnny, becomes involved as events develop into a kidnapping and a search to find Anna before she is harmed. The review describes the plot as a thriller that sustains tension through its closing stages.
Spooky Isles praises Simm’s performance for conveying both Gary’s vulnerability and his capacity for violence without turning the character into melodrama. The review also singles out director Lawrence Gordon Clark and writer Stephen Gallagher, and says the episode’s ruined church, shadowy crypt and stark exterior lend the contemporary story a Gothic atmosphere.
What Makes Mirror Man So Unsettling?
“Here Comes the Mirror Man” blends a tense thriller with Gothic imagery and contemporary social concerns. Spooky Isles’ review points to John Simm’s layered performance and the episode’s decaying church as its defining strengths.
A critical assessment by Spooky IslesA thriller with social stakes
The review sees more than a mystery about Michael’s presence. The plot places a vulnerable, isolated man, an effort to provide support, and escalating violence in the same tightening story.
Gary’s duality
John Simm plays Gary with vulnerability as well as a capacity for violence, keeping the central character unsettling without tipping into melodrama.
A church in decay
The shadowy crypt and stark exterior lend a contemporary story a Gothic frame. One line in the episode calls the building “straight out of Dracula.”
Threat that escalates
From Wendy’s visit to Anna’s search, the plot moves through concealment, violence and a kidnapping toward a high-stakes closing stretch.
Isolation turns into pursuit
The episode shifts from a social worker’s attempt to reconnect with Gary to a race to find Anna before she is harmed.
Wendy finds Gary
He has withdrawn from social services and is living in a derelict church.
Michael returns
Gary denies seeing his alter ego, but Michael appears after Wendy leaves.
Anna takes over
Wendy’s colleague follows the case as Gary hides his identity and fixates on her.
The search intensifies
Police officer Johnny becomes involved as events turn into a kidnapping crisis.
Performance, pacing and Gothic contrast
Spooky Isles calls this installment a step up from the first two episodes, crediting its momentum, lead performance and visual setting.
“an immediate step up in quality from the previous two entries, both in pacing and storyline”Spooky Isles · Review
“He brings a genuine vulnerability to the part”Spooky Isles · On John Simm
“straight out of Dracula”Episode dialogue, quoted by Spooky Isles
The review finds its effect in the tension between contemporary concerns and old-fashioned Gothic imagery.
What this review does—and does not—establish
It is a critical review of a fictional drama. Its judgments about quality, performance and themes belong to Spooky Isles. The piece is not new production reporting or an independently verified account of the episode’s impact.
The review offers no audience figures, contemporary reception data, production records, current viewing information or precise original broadcast date. It places the episode within the 1995 series.
The five episodes of Chiller
“Here Comes the Mirror Man” sits in the middle of the anthology’s five-part run. Spooky Isles presents its piece as part of an episode-by-episode guide.
John Simm
Portrays Gary, whose vulnerability and volatility shape the episode’s emotional tension.
Phyllis Logan
Plays Anna, who takes over Gary’s case as the search for him grows more urgent.
Clark & Gallagher
Directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark and written by Stephen Gallagher, according to the review.
Key questions
What is “Here Comes the Mirror Man”?
The third episode of the 1995 horror anthology Chiller, centred on Gary and the violent influence of his alter ego, Michael.
Who plays Gary and Anna?
John Simm plays Gary; Phyllis Logan plays Anna, the social worker who takes over his case.
What does the review praise?
Spooky Isles highlights the pacing, Gothic church setting and Simm’s performance, and considers the episode stronger than the first two entries.
Is the episode presented as a true story?
No. The review discusses a fictional horror thriller. Its portrayal of mental illness is part of the drama, not a general account of mental-health conditions.
The episode’s central conflict is not presented only as a supernatural or psychological puzzle. Its plot follows a vulnerable man who has become isolated from support, a social worker attempting to intervene, and the consequences of escalating violence. Spooky Isles describes the story as engaging with mental health and pressure on social services, while also treating it as a suspense thriller. That framing gives the episode stakes beyond the mystery of Michael’s presence.
The review’s assessment may also help viewers approaching the anthology today understand why this installment stands out within its early run. It points to performance, pacing and visual design as the main strengths, rather than relying solely on the horror premise. The contrast between a modern social-services storyline and a church that looks suited to a traditional Gothic tale is central to the review’s case for the episode.
Popular right now
De’Longhi Classic Matte Black Espresso Machine with Milk Frother
Dyson Ball Animal Total Clean Upright Vacuum
Dyson Car+Boat Cordless Handheld Vacuum
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Where the Episode Fits in Chiller
Chiller was a five-part horror anthology broadcast in 1995. “Here Comes the Mirror Man” is its third episode, following “Prophecy” and “Toby.” The series’ next listed installments are “The Man Who Didn’t Believe in Ghosts” and “Number Six.” Spooky Isles identifies its review as part of an episode-by-episode guide to the series.
The episode is directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark, known for his work on the BBC’s A Ghost Story for Christmas, and written by Stephen Gallagher, according to the review. The church setting connects the contemporary story to older Gothic horror imagery, including a reference in the episode to the building being “straight out of Dracula.” That line is part of the episode’s dialogue as recounted in the review, not an external description of the production.
““an immediate step up in quality from the previous two entries, both in pacing and storyline””
— Spooky Isles
What the Review Does Not Establish
This is a critical review of a drama, not a report of new production news or an independently verified account of the episode’s impact. The assessment of its quality, performances and themes belongs to Spooky Isles. The review does not provide audience figures, contemporary reception data, production records, or information about where the episode can currently be watched.
The plot description identifies Michael as an imaginary friend linked to Gary’s mental illness, but it does not establish a clinical diagnosis or offer a medical account of Gary’s condition. The story’s portrayal should not be taken as evidence about mental illness generally. The review also does not specify the episode’s original broadcast date beyond placing it within the 1995 series.
More Episodes in the Review Guide
Spooky Isles’ guide lists reviews of the first three Chiller episodes, including this installment, and points readers toward “The Man Who Didn’t Believe in Ghosts” and “Number Six” as the remaining entries. No publication dates for those reviews are given. For readers following the anthology, the next step is to consult the later episode reviews as they become available; no new production announcement or additional episode order is reported here.
Source: Spooky Isles
Key Questions
What is “Here Comes the Mirror Man”?
It is the third episode of the 1995 horror anthology Chiller. The story centres on Gary and the violent influence of his alter ego, Michael.
Who plays Gary and Anna?
John Simm plays Gary, and Phyllis Logan plays Anna, the social worker who takes over his case.
What does the Spooky Isles review praise?
The review highlights the episode’s pacing, Gothic church setting and Simm’s performance, and considers it stronger than the first two Chiller entries.
Is the episode presented as a true story?
No. The review discusses it as a fictional horror thriller. Its depiction of mental illness is part of the drama and is not a general account of mental-health conditions.
Source: Spooky Isles
