🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Mike Flanagan
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2016
- Runtime (length): 1h 39min
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (78K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A family of fraudulent psychics accidentally open a portal to grumpy Polish ghosts using a toy, and things get stabby.
🍿 Ouija: Origin of Evil: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to the Zander Family
In 1967 Los Angeles, Alice Zander, a widowed mother, runs a fraudulent spiritual medium business from her home. She is assisted by her two daughters, teenager Paulina (Lina) and young Doris. The family is still grieving the recent death of Alice’s husband and the girls’ father, Roger.

The Ouija Board’s Arrival
Lina suggests incorporating a Ouija board into their seances to make them more convincing. Alice purchases a Ouija board, unaware of the dark forces it could unleash. During an initial session, they seemingly make contact with a spirit named Marcus through Doris, leading to strange occurrences.

Doris’s Possession and Escalating Horror
Doris becomes increasingly influenced by the spirit, displaying knowledge and abilities beyond her years. Alice initially believes Doris is a genuine medium, but the family soon realizes the terrifying truth – Doris is being possessed by an evil entity linked to the house’s dark past. The spirit leads her to a secret compartment behind the basement wall containing a pouch of cash. When she gives the money to her mother, the family has an Ouija session, believing they can contact Roger.

Unveiling the House’s Dark History
Father Tom, the headmaster at Doris’ school, investigates the strange events and uncovers the house’s horrifying history. He discovers journals detailing the gruesome experiments conducted by a Nazi doctor who lived in the house, torturing and murdering Jewish patients. The spirits of these victims now haunt the house and seek to possess the living.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Alice Zander (Elizabeth Reaser): A widowed mother who stages seances to make a living, inadvertently inviting a malevolent spirit into her home through a Ouija board.
- Doris Zander (Lulu Wilson): The youngest daughter who becomes possessed by a dark spirit after using a Ouija board.
- Lina Zander (Annalise Basso): The older teenage daughter who becomes increasingly concerned about her sister’s behavior and the escalating supernatural events.
- Father Tom (Henry Thomas): A Catholic priest and school principal who assists the Zander family in understanding and combating the evil presence.
- Mikey (Parker Mack): Lina’s boyfriend who becomes entangled in the supernatural events and ultimately meets a tragic end.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Doris Zander: “Wanna hear something cool? Do you know what it feels like to be strangled to death?” – Doris chillingly describes the sensation of being strangled to Mikey, foreshadowing the dark events to come.
- Doris Zander: “Do you know what it feels like to be strangled to death? First, you feel the pressure in your throat. Your eyes water, and you start to taste something very, very sour in your mouth. Then it’s like someone lights a match right in the middle of your chest, and that fire grows. It fills your lungs, and your throat, and all the way behind your eyes. And finally, that fire turns to ice; like pins and needles of ice are sticking into your fingers, your toes, your arms. You see stars, then darkness. And the last thing you feel… is cold.” – Doris gives an extremely descriptive account on what it feels like to be strangled, causing fear.
- Alice Zander: “I’m scared, but I’m more scared of losing you.” – Alice admits her fear to Lina while confronting the supernatural forces, showing her dedication to her family’s safety.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $9,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $35,144,505
- Worldwide Gross: $81,705,746
💥 Ouija: Origin of Evil Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this expecting another terrible horror movie, but wow, was I surprised! Lulu Wilson as Doris is genuinely creepy, and the 60s vibe makes it feel like a classic horror flick. I jumped a few times, and the story actually had some heart. The scene where Doris describes being strangled? Chills! Definitely worth a watch if you like a good scare.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of supernatural horror movies”
- “Viewers who enjoy possession stories”
- “Those looking for a well-made prequel that improves upon its original”
- “Audiences interested in ghost stories with a historical element”
- “Horror fans who enjoy Mike Flanagan’s films”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Disturbing images”
- “Intense scenes of terror”
- “Supernatural themes and possession”
- “Violence”
- “Child endangerment”
Professional Reviews
- Rama’s Screen: “”Ouija: Origin of Evil” is super creepy and has a good amount of well-placed jump-scares. The story has heart as the characters cope with loss, making them vulnerable to the spirits. Lulu Wilson’s performance as Doris is what makes the film scary.
- General Consensus: “Despite some clichés and predictable scares, ‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’ is a surprisingly effective prequel, boosted by strong performances and a creepy atmosphere that surpasses its predecessor.
- Rama’s Screen: “”OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL is one of this year’s best horror films in my book.
Audience Reactions
Lulu Wilson’s performance as Doris was incredibly creepy and memorable.: The film’s atmosphere and setting made the horror more effective and engaging.
The 1960s setting and style were well-done and added to the movie’s charm.: Many viewers were impressed by the film’s ability to be genuinely scary without relying too much on gore.
Overall Consensus: A surprisingly well-made and genuinely creepy horror film, especially considering its predecessor, with Lulu Wilson’s performance as Doris being a standout.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “To create a retro feel, director Mike Flanagan added ‘cigarette burns’ in post-production, marks that appear every 20 minutes to mimic reel changes in older films.”
- “The film’s setting in 1967 Los Angeles was meticulously crafted, with attention to detail in costumes, set design, and even the use of the vintage Universal Pictures logo at the beginning.”
- “Director Mike Flanagan included a cameo of a mirror, which is a call back to his film ‘Oculus’.”
- “The film was shot digitally, but post-production techniques were used to give it the appearance of being shot on film, enhancing the period authenticity.”
🖥️ How to Watch Ouija: Origin of Evil?
Ouija: Origin of Evil is available to rent or buy on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable or satellite services. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) are also available for purchase from major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Ouija: Origin of Evil, you might like these similar films:
- The Exorcist (1973): A classic possession horror film with themes of demonic influence and desperate attempts to save a possessed child.
- Oculus (2013): Also directed by Mike Flanagan, features a family haunted by a supernatural object and explores themes of grief and trauma.
- The Conjuring (2013): A period piece about a family terrorized by a dark presence in their home, focusing on paranormal investigation and family bonds.
- Hereditary (2018): A modern horror film dealing with family trauma, demonic possession, and disturbing supernatural events.
🛒 Ouija: Origin of Evil Related Products
- Winning Moves Ouija Board Game Classic Edition: The Hasbro classic, this edition brings a vintage feel with updated graphics and a solid wood planchette, allowing you to try your own seance. It will certainly become a conversation piece or a game that can be played with other players.
- The Monster Book of True Horror: Terrifying Stories of the Paranormal and Criminal Minds: A collection of terrifying paranormal and criminal minds stories that will give you a chilling read that may be too scary to read alone, as seen from true crime podcast and more.
- Vintage Halloween Witchcraft Decor Print, Dark Academia Horror Aesthetic: Capture the 1960’s vibes of the film by decorating your room with Halloween witchcraft decor print. Frame in a nice frame and place on the wall and showcase your love and passion for the film Ouija.
- Supernatural Winchester Brothers T-Shirt, Vintage Shirt, Sam & Dean Unisex Shirt: Showcase your love for the tv show Supernatural with this Winchester Brothers t-shirt. This unisex shirt is the perfect vintage shirt to wear.
🎧 Soundtrack
Ouija: Origin of Evil features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, Ouija: Origin of Evil is generally considered much scarier and better-made than the original. Critics and audiences praised its atmosphere, performances, and effective scares.
Origin of Evil serves as a prequel, explaining the origins of the evil spirit and the haunted house featured in the first movie. The final scene, featuring the older Lina from Origin of Evil, explicitly links the two films.
Ouija: Origin of Evil is rated PG-13 for disturbing images, terror, and thematic elements.
Marcus is the name of the spirit that is contacted by Doris while playing the Ouija board. However, the true nature of the haunting is more complex, involving other spirits tormented in the house.
🔥 Bonus Content
Ouija: Origin of Evil – Movie Review
Want to know if Ouija: Origin of Evil is actually any good? Chris Stuckmann breaks it down in this review, and honestly, his points are pretty spot on – definitely worth a watch before you decide if you want to see the movie!
Top 10 Horror Movie Prequels
Curious where Ouija: Origin of Evil stacks up against other horror movie prequels? WatchMojo’s got you covered! It’s interesting to see where it lands on their list – I kinda agree with their placement!
A Horror Movie Guaranteed To Ruin Any Holiday
Ever wondered why some horror movies just stick with you? Ryan Hollinger dives into what makes horror so effective in this video; it might even give you a new appreciation for the genre – or just scare you more! See what you think.
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