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Ouija

The Ouija board has been a marketing ploy for amateur ghost hunters for over a centuries. What few people realise is that the Ouija board was in fact a board game marketed for kids to entertain their darkest pleasures. A sentiment shared heavily with the 2014 film produced by Hasbro and Blum House films.

 

When Doris (Sierra Heuermann) finds a Ouija board in her loft, her curiosity leaves her hanging around with the living room lights. Her suspicious behaviour before the event leaves best friend Laine (Olivia Cooke) obsessed with understanding how she was led to take her own life and attempts to communicate, with the help of their friends, via a Ouija board. The only complication comes when the response from the other side is not that of Doris.

 

With its fair share of scares, ‘Ouija’ is another worthy addition to the Blum House stable. Smartly paced and written by first time director Stiles White, whos writing work on 'The Possession’ and ‘Boogeyman’ has shown a development and niche for a toned down horror film that satisfies the need for scares with a gentle storyline. When given the camera it appears the liberties of White's writing can really be seen.

 

‘Ouija’ brings with it a teen vibe, whether its the young cast or the subtle plot, or even the lack of death, this film is one that will be appreciated more by a younger audience. The love child between ‘Final Destination’ and ‘Insidious’ and there is good reasoning for that marriage as the core of ‘Ouija’ uses the strongest elements from both. Creating a well rounded movie that lacks atmosphere but makes for with a decent ghost story in a genre swamped with amateur productions or high gloss style over substance, 'Ouija' fits firmly in the middle. And it will put you off flossing for a while.

 

There is no denying that this will not strike a chord with the most hardened of horror fans, it’s plot is simple, its scares predictable and a forgettable cast are all inclusive but theres something that makes you leave ‘Ouija’ hoping it can fill the gap that the likes of early 00’s franchises like ‘Final Destination’ gave us and for its faults, comes out entertaining for its 90 minute running time, lets just hope we get a franchise from this.

Director: Stiles White

Year: 2014

Running Time: 89 minutes

Age Rating: 15

RATING


Plot: 3
Fear: 3
Gore: 1


R3/5​

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