Just in time for Halloween comes “Ouija: Origins of Evil” though you may want to skip the theater and save yourself $10 by not being suckered in by previews that reflect a terrifying horror treat.
“Ouija: Origins of Evil” is itself the second release in the “Ouija” series, serving as a prequel to the 2014 original (a film I haven’t scene but am safe in saying I don’t need to).
This go around is set in the late 1960s and features single mother Alice Zander (Elizabeth Reaser) as a medium conducting seances and readings from her home with the staged help of her two young daughters Lina (Annalise Basso) and Doris (Lulu Wilson).
One can’t help but feel for Alice, who struggles to raise her children in the wake of husband Roger. Alice justifies scamming people by rationalizing that they give them a benefit that they want, though her daughters are starting to doubt.
Alice purchases a Ouija board to use as another prop in the readings, but daughter Doris manages to achieve real communications with the other side which begins as friendly contact before quickly becoming demonic.
“Ouija” is bad as movies go, from beginning to end. The story is predictable and has been done many, many times before. Elizabeth Reaser is a gorgeous woman and plays the part of Alice Zander well for the most part. We see her defending her children from bullies and lusting boys.
But the scares just aren’t there. It’s not even a movie that has to be seen in theater’s to appreciate the jump factor. Even amidst surround sound and darkness, you won’t leave your seat in terror as you watch.
Lulu Wilson as young Doris does a good job of being the cutesy young daughter as well as a creepy vessel for malevolent spirits. But ultimately there just isn’t any substance.
Next year I plan to watch and review the original. If you are looking for a horror movie to watch in the theater as we wind down the Halloween season, “Ouija” won’t fill the role.
by – Matt Christopher
