The Mirror Checked Itself First

Start with a tight handheld close-up on a cracked motel bathroom mirror, condensation fogging the edges. Slow dolly-in on 35mm lens as the fluorescent light above flickers and buzzes, casting greenish sickly light. The mirror reflection lags half a second behind the real room, then the reflection smiles when the person doesn’t. The camera tilts slightly down to reveal wet footprints leading to the tub, then whip-pans back up as the reflection’s hand presses against the glass from inside. Grainy, desaturated color grade, practical lighting only, subtle film grain, ambient drip sound. No jump scare, just dread.