10 Horror Movie Sequels Nobody Wanted…. But Everyone Loved
8. Ouija: Origin of Evil
The first Ouija was released in October of 2014 rather than in January, but it might as well have emerged during the theatrical “dump month” because it exemplified the sort of low-effort and instantly forgettable trash that typically assaults moviegoers during that time.
As such, no one was asking for another attempt to do the concept justice, and while his prior full-length ventures (including Oculus, Hush, and Before I Wake) showed promise, writer/director Mike Flanagan hadn’t yet established himself as a leading force in the genre.
To the shock of just about everyone, though, Flanagan’s turn a bat – 2016’s Ouija: Origin of Evil – was a substantially better experience.
For one thing, and as its title suggests, the movie takes place during the 1960s, with Flanagan’s signature attention to detail capturing the look, vibe, and film techniques of the era.
More importantly, it hinted at Flanagan’s now-trademark knack for mixing inventive creepiness and dread with palpable emotional resonance and empathetic characters. Critics even championed lead Lulu Wilson for capturing the same sort of childlike innocence and sinister corruption Linda Blair achieved as Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist.
Today, Ouija: Origin of Evil is still touted as a remarkable course-correction.