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Ouija: Origin of Evil

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General Review

Parent's Guide to Ouija: Origin of Evil

Ouija: Origin of Evil is a 2016 supernatural horror film directed by Mike Flanagan, serving as a prequel to the 2014 movie "Ouija". Set in 1967 Los Angeles, the story follows a widowed mother, Alice Zander, and her two daughters, Lina and Doris, who run a fraudulent seance business. When they introduce a Ouija board into their act, they unwittingly invite a malevolent entity into their home, leading to the demonic possession of the youngest daughter, Doris. The film explores themes of grief, deception, and the terrifying consequences of dabbling in the occult. The movie is known for its intense scares, disturbing imagery, and a strong emotional core, distinguishing itself as a critically better-received entry in the Ouija franchise. It features pervasive horror elements, including demonic possession, grotesque physical transformations, and visceral violence, wrapped in a period aesthetic. Due to its intense and disturbing content, it is primarily suited for a mature teenage and adult audience who can handle strong horror themes.

Things to Consider

High4

Violence

The film contains intense and graphic violence, including stabbings, hangings, and severe bodily harm depicted through demonic actions. The MPAA rating includes 'sequences of violence and action' and 'some bloody images'. Characters experience painful contortions and there are unsettling visual effects of grotesque facial and body distortions.

Examples include a character being stabbed with blood visible on the blade. Another scene depicts a character falling from a staircase and hanging from a noose. During a demonic possession, Casey 'shreds the guy apart with his body eviscerated and then his jaw ripped open,' indicating graphic and brutal imagery. The possessed Doris inflicts harm, such as a school bully suffering a violent supernatural retaliation after aiming a catapult at her.

Witchcraft & Occult

Witchcraft and occult themes are central to the entire narrative. The plot revolves around a family running a fake seance business, which unintentionally leads to genuine communication with malevolent spirits through an Ouija board and subsequent demonic possession. This is explicitly highlighted as a conflict for characters who also hold Christian beliefs.

Scary & Intense Content

The film is highly scary and intense, relying on disturbing imagery, sustained terror, and frequent jump scares. It features grotesque visual effects, including facial and body distortions of possessed individuals, and psychologically unsettling scenes, particularly involving a possessed child.

Anti-Christian Themes

Anti-Christian themes are significant, as the narrative directly confronts Christian beliefs through the triumph of demonic forces over characters who initially hold faith. The film depicts characters dabbling in occult practices, such as Ouija boards and seances, despite their Christian faith, leading to devastating consequences. A Catholic priest attempts to intervene, but ultimately, the demons prevail.

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Medium2
ProfanityDisrespect & Rebellion
Low3
LGBTQ & Gender IdentityRomance and Sexual ContentSubstance Use
Medium2

Profanity

The movie includes a moderate amount of mild to medium profanity. Terms of deity are used, along with some expletives. While not a constant barrage, the language is stronger than what might be expected for younger viewers.

Disrespect & Rebellion

Disrespect and rebellion are present, stemming from the mother's fraudulent business practices and the possessed child's defiance. The core family unit is built on a deception, which can be interpreted as a form of rebellion against societal honesty. The possessed child's actions demonstrate extreme defiance against her family.

Low3

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

Explicit LGBTQ+ characters or plotlines are not present in "Ouija: Origin of Evil." While one interpretive review suggests a demon might exploit a "would-have-been lesbian affair" in a character's backstory to gain control, this remains a reviewer's interpretation of implied themes rather than explicit narrative content within the film itself. Other discussions of the director's work highlight LGBTQ+ representation in his later series, but not in this film.

Romance and Sexual Content

Romantic and sexual content is minimal and mild. There is an innocent teenage kiss, and no explicit sexual acts are shown. A brief suggestion of a sexual advance occurs, but it is immediately followed by a violent demonic attack, shifting the focus away from romance or sexuality as a theme.

Substance Use

Substance use in the film is minimal and primarily involves adult alcohol consumption. There is also a brief suggestion of underage drinking at a teen party, but it is not a focal point and lacks graphic detail or glamorization.

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From a Christian worldview, "Ouija: Origin of Evil" presents a stark cautionary tale regarding dabbling in the occult and the consequences of deception, which strongly aligns with biblical warnings against such practices. The core themes of the film revolve around the dangers of seeking communication with the dead, the insidious nature of demonic possession, and the corrupting power of lies. The narrative clearly portrays the devastating spiritual ramifications of inviting malevolent entities into one's life, with the Zander family suffering immensely as a result of their fraudulent séances and subsequent use of the Ouija board. The movie does not reward vice; instead, the family's initial deception and the mother's attempt to use the Ouija board for financial gain directly lead to their horrifying ordeal, demonstrating clear moral accountability for their actions. The supernatural elements are presented as genuinely evil and destructive, contradicting a materialistic or purely relativistic worldview and instead affirming a transcendent realm where spiritual forces, both good and evil, are real and impactful. While the film itself isn't explicitly Christian, it implicitly supports a biblical understanding of spiritual warfare and the perils of engaging with spirits outside of God's authority. There are no overt themes of Christian redemption, forgiveness, or grace depicted within the narrative, as the focus is squarely on the horror and struggle against a demonic entity. Instead, the characters face a desperate fight for survival and liberation from evil, culminating in tragic sacrifices rather than spiritual reconciliation. Family values are portrayed as initially strong, with Alice striving to provide for her daughters after her husband's death, but this love is tragically corrupted and ultimately broken by the demonic influence. The portrayal of family relationships highlights the vulnerability of a grieving family to spiritual attack when they seek answers and comfort in forbidden places. Faith or Christianity is not a central element of the film, and therefore, it is neither respectfully nor negatively depicted in an explicit sense. However, the overarching message about the malevolent reality of occult practices serves as an implicit affirmation of a biblical worldview that warns against such activities. Christian parents can use this film as a tool to discuss the very real spiritual dangers associated with practices like using Ouija boards and attempting to communicate with the dead, emphasizing the protection and guidance found in biblical teachings and a relationship with God, rather than relying on the film for direct faith-based solutions or redemptive arcs within its own story.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

This film is officially rated PG-13, but due to its pervasive and intense horror elements, graphic violence, and strong occult themes, a recommended age of 14+ is more appropriate, especially for Christian parents. The film's depiction of demonic possession and the triumph of evil warrants caution.

Good to Know

Ouija: Origin of Evil is generally considered a superior film to its predecessor, "Ouija" (2014), due to Mike Flanagan's direction, character development, and heightened scares. It deepens the mythology of the Ouija board and the house it inhabits. The film maintains a 1960s aesthetic, which contributes to its atmospheric horror.

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