Ouija: Origin of Evil

Ouija: Origin of Evil is currently streaming in the US on Netflix, and it rewards the patience it asks of you. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. 2,644 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Parker Mack anchors it with a performance that rewards close attention. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Netflix.

There is a reason Ouija: Origin of Evil keeps coming up in conversation. Ouija: Origin of Evil trusts its audience to sit with discomfort instead of resolving it too quickly. In 1967 Los Angeles, a widowed mother and her two daughters add a new stunt to bolster their séance scam business and unwittingly invite authentic evil into their home. When the youngest daughter is overtaken by the merciless spirit, this small family confronts unthinkable fears to save her and send her possessor back to the other side. Parker Mack and Annalise Basso lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2016. The performances in Ouija: Origin of Evil do a lot of work in the silences between the dialogue. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

Drama fans who appreciate slow-burn storytelling will feel right at home with Ouija: Origin of Evil. It has built its own audience without needing a direct comparison. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single evening. Parker Mack carries the material with a performance that rewards close attention. Worth starting sooner rather than later.