Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Annalise Basso | ... | Lina Zander | |
Elizabeth Reaser | ... | Alice Zander | |
Lulu Wilson | ... | Doris Zander | |
Henry Thomas | ... | Father Tom | |
Parker Mack | ... | Mikey | |
Halle Charlton | ... | Ellie | |
Alexis G. Zall | ... | Betty | |
Doug Jones | ... | Ghoul Marcus | |
Kate Siegel | ... | Jenny Browning | |
Sam Anderson | ... | Mr. Browning | |
Chelsea Gonzalez | ... | Gloria | |
Lincoln Melcher | ... | Jack | |
Nicholas Keenan | ... | Walter | |
Michael Weaver | ... | Roger Zander | |
Ele Keats | ... | Ellie's Mom |
In 1967 Los Angeles, a young widow named Alice Zander works out of her suburban home as a spiritual medium, accompanied by her daughters, 15-year-old Paulina "Lina" and 9-year old Doris. The family is still reeling over the recent death of Roger, Alice's husband and the kids' father. At Lina's suggestion, Alice incorporates a Ouija board into her readings. While trying out the board, she unknowingly contacts a spirit named Marcus that begins to possess Doris. Alice receives a notice that the bank intends to foreclose on their home. Doris contacts the board for help, believing she is communicating with her dead father. The spirit leads her to a secret compartment behind the basement wall containing a pouch of cash. When she gives the money to her mother, the family has an Ouija session, believing they can contact Roger. When the board answers a question only Roger would know the answer to, a thrilled Alice begins believing that they are in contact with her dead husband..
It is a decent horror film, but surely better than the first. The previous part was an usual teen themed horror where everything started as a playful. But this one was a prequel and it focused on the origins. A single mother with two daughters is making money helping the people who want to contact their beloved dead ones. The things changes when her little daughter started to communicate the spirits of her own. The chaos unleashes, the house becomes haunted and the family begins to fall apart.
Keeping it simple is what worked out well for the film, despite thematically borrowed from others, scenes were kind of familiar and characters intentionally developed. Particularly the priest role was the most overused in any horror film. Followed by the twist. That turning point was good, but not a new. Nice performances and well shot film. Ouija is a fine concept for a horror theme and with this film's somewhat success, I hope the next one would only get better. So it is worth a watch, if you're not anticipating a something special.
6/10