Ouija: Origin of Evil is a prequel to Ouija. It’s Directed by Mike Flanagan who audiences may know as the showrunner of The Haunting of Hill House and Director of Hush and Oculus.
With the number of Horror movies under his belt, it’s no surprise Ouija: Origin of Evil is a hit. While its predecessor released to less than favorable reviews, Origin of Evil was viewed mostly positively by critics and audiences.
Ouija: Origin of Evil tells the story of a single mother with her two children who run a fake seance scam business. The mother (Elizabeth Reaser) buys an Ouija board to add to their act and soon her youngest (Lulu Wilson) is talking to herself, writing in cursive and speaking Polish.
However, she isn’t talking to herself as something more sinister awaits in the shadows. Yes, by its description it sounds like many Horror movies but it’s in its subversion where Ouija: Origin of Evil shines.
There are no exorcisms and no pointless jump scares. The story builds to let the audience care for the main trio before it even dares to think about the scares. With this, it’s made creepier once Doris (Lulu) is taken over by the spirits who haunt their house.
If anything, the movie makes me believe it’s in the Conjuring universe with its soundtrack, aesthetic, slow pace to build relationships and fashion.
Now, Ouija: Origin of Evil is a prequel to Ouija (2014) and is one of those rare franchise additions that works better than the previous. This also happened to Annabelle: Creation and makes it ironic that both movies feature Lulu Wilson.
The bond between the three women creates the heart of the story and their want to see their husband/father one more time. It’s through this the spirits manipulate them.
While I’d say it isn’t scary, the movie packs a lot of moments that are creepy. Sometimes creepy works and it certainly does for Ouija: Origin of Evil. The creepy atmosphere lures the audience in and once the real scares happen in the climax, it’s hard to look away.
The climax isn’t what I expected yet I couldn’t see it ending any other way. Of course, I’d have guessed the ending if I had seen the original. For those who have seen the first movie, there’s a fun credit scene to whet your appetite.
Ouija: Origin of Evil is a definite recommend and one to dig your teeth into on the run-up to Halloween.
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