Review of Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016) by K Nife C — 24 Oct 2016

When it comes to action and horror films, I don't mind skipping to the second film in a franchise because they are usually just repackaged cash grabs. From what I hear, missing the first "Ouija" was a good idea, and I'm glad it didn't color my experience of "Ouija: Origin of Evil".

With that said, this is a really fun and well done horror film. From the title card to the camera techniques to the costume and set design, this film oozes 60's pastiche. While the cue marks are there, it doesn't devolve into the grind-house style editing of other 60s/70s pastiche films.

Aside from the style, Mike Flanagan manages to strike cinema gold again this year after directing the critically praised "Hush". The script is tight and the performances are excellent. Annalise Basso, Elizabeth Reaser, and Lulu Wilson are an excellent leading trifecta.

Wilson's porcelain doll qualities seem iconic for the imagery of a possessed little girl, and one can't help but see the similarities with "The Omen" and the girls in "The Shining" (which I coincidentally watched right before this film).

While I can't say that this film will stand the test of time, it is creepy, scary and well executed. And it's among the best horror this year (one of the best years for horror in the last several decades, in my humble opinion).