🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Kevin S. Tenney
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 1993
- Runtime (length): 1h 34min
- IMDb rating: 5.0/10 (2.1K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A struggling artist finds a Ouija board that makes her extremely horny and then obsessed with solving a murder mystery, all while her ex-boyfriend just can’t take a hint, and a flying circular saw tries to become the real star.
🍿 Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A Fresh Start and a Haunted Discovery
Paige, a young accountant with aspirations of becoming an artist, decides to break free from her controlling boyfriend, Mitch, and seeks a new beginning. She moves into an inspiring loft apartment, hoping to find the space and independence needed to pursue her creative passions. While settling into her new home, Paige uncovers an antique Ouija board tucked away in a closet, a mysterious remnant left behind by the apartment’s previous occupant.
Contacting the Unknown Spirit
Intrigued by her discovery, Paige begins to experiment with the Ouija board. She soon makes contact with a spirit identifying herself as Susan Sidney, who claims to be the former tenant of the loft. Susan communicates to Paige that she was brutally murdered, a claim that initially puzzles Paige as there are no official records of a death or murder associated with the apartment. Paige becomes increasingly drawn into uncovering the truth behind Susan’s mysterious demise.
The Spirit’s Influence and Growing Danger
As Paige delves deeper into Susan’s past and continues her Ouija board sessions, she notices subtle but significant changes in her own personality. She becomes more assertive, confident, and even sexually expressive. Concurrently, a series of bizarre and violent deaths begin to plague the residents and individuals connected to the apartment building, especially those tied to Susan’s history. Paige starts to suspect that Susan’s vengeful spirit is using her to exact retribution, turning her quest for truth into a perilous fight for her own sanity and survival.
⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Paige (Ami Dolenz): The young artist and protagonist who unwittingly contacts a vengeful spirit through a Ouija board in her new apartment.
- Susan (Julie Michaels): The vengeful spirit of the former apartment tenant, who claims she was murdered and manipulates Paige through the Ouija board.
- Elaine (Laraine Newman): The eccentric, hippie-ish landlady of the apartment complex, entangled in the supernatural occurrences.
- Mitch (Timothy Gibbs): Paige’s ex-boyfriend and a police officer who reluctantly tries to help her investigate the supernatural events.
- Jonas (Christopher Michael Moore): The apartment’s landlord and brother to Elaine who becomes a victim of the malevolent spirit.
- Russel (John Gatins): A young photographer tenant who befriends Paige and becomes involved in the mystery.
- Morris (Marvin Kaplan): An elderly occult specialist who offers Paige advice and insight into the supernatural occurrences.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Paige: “If you ever pull a stunt like this again, you’re gonna need a calculator to count all the teeth you’ll be missing.” – Paige angrily confronts her ex-boyfriend Mitch after he interferes with her new life.
- Elaine: “Get a grip, Paige, it’s only a Ouija Board.” – Elaine dismisses Paige’s growing unease about the Ouija board’s messages, underestimating its malevolent power.
- Susan (via Ouija board): “M-U-R-D-E-R-E-D.” – The spirit of Susan spells out the shocking revelation of her death through the Ouija board, initiating Paige’s investigation.
- Paige: “I have to find out what happened!” – Paige, increasingly obsessed and under the board’s influence, expresses her desperate need to uncover the truth behind Susan’s death.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: $168,180
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into ‘Witchboard 2’ expecting total cheese, and while it delivers on that front, I actually had a pretty good time! Ami Dolenz is genuinely charming as Paige, even when things get super weird with the Ouija board. I loved the evolving mystery and how Paige really dives headfirst into solving it, even if it puts her in danger. Honestly, some of the death scenes are hilariously over-the-top, like that flying saw blade – pure 90s gold! And Laraine Newman as the hippie landlady? A comedic highlight for sure. It’s not going to scare your pants off, but it’s a fun, entertaining ride with enough twists to keep you hooked. Definitely a worthy re-watch for a retro horror night.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of 90s supernatural horror and mystery films.”
- “Viewers interested in Ouija board themes and ghost stories.”
- “Those looking for a lighter, entertaining horror film with suspenseful elements.”
- “Fans of B-movies and direct-to-video horror cinema from the era.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Supernatural themes and occult practices.”
- “Mild violence and stylized death scenes.”
- “Some suggestive themes and personality changes (due to spiritual influence).”
- “Contains jump scares.”
Professional Reviews
- Original: “While ‘Witchboard 2’ may rehash much of its predecessor’s premise, director Kevin Tenney injects enough stylistic flair and a surprisingly engaging lead in Ami Dolenz to make it a watchable, if not particularly frightening, follow-up. The film leans more into supernatural mystery than outright horror, with some creative camera work. However, the inconsistent tone and a few laughably bad effects sequences prevent it from truly ascending beyond average B-movie fare.
- Original: “‘Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway’ is an exercise in mediocrity, offering little beyond a predictable plot and a distinct lack of genuine scares. Ami Dolenz tries her best, but even her charisma can’t elevate the thinly-written script or the often-wooden supporting performances. While some may appreciate its nostalgic charm, serious horror fans will find the minimal gore and absence of tension utterly forgettable. A pointless sequel that should have stayed in the closet.
Audience Reactions
The comedic relief from Laraine Newman’s hippie landlady and the absurdly fun death scenes were unexpected highlights.: Many viewers found it more entertaining and competently made than the first film, appreciating Ami Dolenz’s performance and the surprising twists in the plot.
The mystery surrounding the ghost’s death and the creative camera work kept audiences engaged.: Despite not being truly terrifying, the movie was praised for its re-watchability and ‘fun’ factor, making it a good choice for casual horror fans.
Overall Consensus: Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway is generally seen as an entertaining, if not particularly scary, horror sequel that improves upon the original with a more engaging lead and some delightfully campy moments.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Ami Dolenz had a no-nudity clause in her contract. Republic Pictures pressured director Kevin Tenney to have her waive it for international sales, but Tenney refused, which he believed led to Republic trying to prevent him from directing the third film.”
- “Director Kevin Tenney researched the concept of ‘progressive entrapment,’ where spirits contacted through an Ouija board gradually take over the lives of those using it, finding the idea genuinely creepy even without believing in the occult.”
- “This is the only film in the original ‘Witchboard’ trilogy that does not feature nudity, a direct result of Ami Dolenz’s contractual clause.”
- “A subtle nod to the film’s theme, a Ouija board planchette scrolls across the screen at the end of the opening credits.”
🖥️ How to Watch Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway?
Discover ‘Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway’ on various digital platforms. This 90s supernatural horror film is typically available for rent or purchase through services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and YouTube. While its availability on subscription streaming services may vary by region and time, it occasionally appears on horror-focused platforms or free ad-supported streaming services like Tubi or Pluto TV for a thrilling watch.
🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway, you might like these similar films:
- Witchboard (1986): The original film that established the Ouija board horror premise, sharing core themes, director Kevin Tenney, and a similar supernatural plot.
- Night of the Demons (1988): Also directed by Kevin Tenney, this cult classic shares a similar low-budget, high-energy supernatural horror vibe and practical effects that appeal to fans of 80s/90s B-movies.
- Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016): A critically acclaimed modern take on the Ouija board premise, offering a more polished and genuinely scary experience while retaining the core supernatural possession theme.
- Poltergeist (1982): Explores similar themes of a home being haunted by malevolent spirits that escalate from minor disturbances to dangerous supernatural attacks, and a protagonist determined to save others from the entity.
- Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1993): Features ‘Witchboard 2’ star Ami Dolenz and exemplifies the creature feature/supernatural horror style prevalent in the early 90s direct-to-video market.
🛒 Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway Related Products
- Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway (Blu-ray): Experience the cult classic sequel in stunning high-definition, featuring newly restored audio and video transfer. Includes behind-the-scenes featurettes, director’s commentary, and rare interviews.
- Vintage Ouija Board (Reproduction): A meticulously crafted reproduction of a classic Ouija board, designed to evoke the mystical aesthetic seen in the film. Perfect for display or light-hearted paranormal exploration (at your own risk!).
- Witchboard Series Graphic Novel Collection: Dive deeper into the lore with an original graphic novel series expanding on the supernatural themes and untold stories from the Witchboard universe. Digital download compatible with all e-readers.
- Witchboard 2 ‘Devil’s Doorway’ Movie Poster T-Shirt: High-quality cotton t-shirt featuring the iconic, eerie ‘Devil’s Doorway’ movie poster art. Available in various sizes and colors, a subtle nod to a horror cult classic.
🎧 Soundtrack
Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “The Devil’s Doorway Theme” – performed by Denis Michael Tenney
- “Possessed Visions” – performed by Denis Michael Tenney
- “Whispers from Beyond” – performed by Denis Michael Tenney
- “Ouija Board Rhapsody” – performed by Denis Michael Tenney
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The film centers on Paige, a young artist who moves into a new apartment and discovers a Ouija board. She contacts the spirit of the apartment’s former tenant, Susan Sidney, who claims she was murdered. As Paige investigates, she becomes increasingly obsessed with solving the mystery, while strange deaths occur around her, suggesting the spirit has a vengeful agenda.
While sharing the ‘Witchboard’ title and the central theme of a Ouija board causing supernatural mayhem, ‘Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway’ features entirely new characters and a standalone story. It is not a direct continuation of the plot or characters from the original 1986 film, though director Kevin Tenney returns, and there’s a small cameo that connects the two at the very end.
The lead role of Paige is played by Ami Dolenz, known for her roles in various 90s horror films like ‘Ticks’ and ‘Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings.’ The film also features Laraine Newman as the eccentric landlady, Elaine, and Timothy Gibbs as Paige’s ex-boyfriend, Mitch.
User reviews are mixed on its scare factor. While some viewers found it entertaining with ‘jump scares’ and ‘good visuals,’ others described it as ‘not very scary’ and more of a ‘fun and entertaining’ supernatural mystery. It leans more into suspense and creative death scenes rather than intense psychological horror or graphic gore.
‘Witchboard 2: The Devil’s Doorway’ had a limited theatrical release, grossing $168,180 in the US & Canada with an opening weekend of $65,365. As a direct-to-video sequel released in 1993, its primary audience engagement was through home video rentals and sales rather than a wide theatrical run.
🔥 Bonus Content
Possessed Woman Chokes Man With Bare Hands
Ever wonder what a classic 90s horror movie clip looks like when a possessed woman goes all out? This short but intense scene from Witchboard 2 definitely delivers a chilling moment with bare hands and a lot of tension – it’s pretty wild!
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