This movie has at its heart the classic horror movie cliche, if you play around with a Ouija board bad things can and most often do happen to you. Apparently this movie is a prequel but I have never seen the first movie but the consensus of opinion is that this movie is the "better" movie. With it being a prequel I can now go and watch the original without having any aspect of it spoilt. The question is, however, did this movie impress me enough to make me want to watch the first movie? Yes is the short answer.
The title of this movie makes the plot an easy thing to guess. When you have a Ouija board in a horror movie trouble is what you get. The Zander family, mum and her two daughters are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, due to Mr Zander being killed. They have resorted to scamming people out of their money by claming they can speak to the dead. In order to spice up their act they decide to add another prop: a Ouija board. Apparently if the film is to be believed people would buy ouija boards back in the 1960's just like regular monopoly boards, and you could pop into any old shop to buy them. Unfortunately things do not work out as planned when the youngest daughter starts to receive messages from her dead father. The trouble is, there are more entities in the house and not all are good. Do they defeat the evil? You will have to watch the movie to find out. Whilst the plot is a cliche the ending is a bit more interesting.
The plot is standard horror movie cliche but it is executed well. The dialogue is believable, and the pacing of the film is just right to keep you interested. The acting is a mixed bag with some lines coming over quite flat and without emotion. The special effects are decent, as is the cinematography. There is nothing that makes you think wow that was amazing, but equally there is nothing about the movie that is awful.
I am not a huge fan of these types of movies, I am not a fan of The Exorcist but I do acknowledge its influence and impact. That said, Ouija: Origin of Evil is well worth a viewing.
6 out of 10
Summary: decent if somewhat cliched movie, with interesting ending.