Ouija: Origin of Evil 2016

Thriller

Horror

Box Office

$82M

Runtime

99 min

Language

English

Directed by

Mike Flanagan

Made by

Universal Pictures

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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

In Los Angeles, 1967, Mr. Browning, portrayed by Sam Anderson, and his younger wife, Jenny, played by Kate Siegel, visit the home of fortune teller Alice Zander, brought to life by Elizabeth Reaser. During the séance Alice conducts, Mr. Browning seeks to communicate with his deceased wife, while Jenny remains skeptical, believing they are being swindled. As tensions rise, a spirit, disguised as the late wife, frightens Mr. Browning, prompting an emotional show of fear. When Mr. Browning attempts to pay Alice, she declines, feeling guilty for their ruse.

Unbeknownst to them, the entity haunting the séance is Alice’s own teenage daughter, Paulina, depicted by Annalise Basso, with her younger sister, Doris, played by Lulu Wilson, aiding in the deception. After being scolded by Alice for costing them potential earnings, Paulina defends her actions. As events unfold, Paulina sneaks out to join her friends Ellie, played by Halle Charlton, and Mikey, portrayed by Parker Mack, where they toy with a Ouija board, only to send one friend into a panic.

While the girls are at school, Alice naively seeks her own Ouija board, believing it could boost their business. That night, she accidentally connects with a spirit named Marcus through Doris, who becomes a medium for strange and chilling responses from the other side, leaving Paulina both perplexed and intrigued. Doris, in her quest to communicate with their deceased father, Roger, breaks the cardinal rule of the game by playing alone, leading to haunting developments.

Father Tom, played by Henry Thomas, calls Alice to discuss Doris’s unusual homework, written in cursive, showcasing her sudden change in behavior and the development of uncanny abilities tied to the spirit world. As mysterious occurrences escalate, including a notice of foreclosure, Doris presents her mother and sister with money she claims to have found – a supernatural twist that raises questions about the spirit’s demands.

In an attempt to tap deeper into the otherworldly, Alice and Doris hold a séance with Tom. The answers they receive are nothing short of chilling, uncovering dark secrets tied to the house and the past of its previous occupants. Events take a sinister turn when Mikey visits and becomes ensnared by the entity, further trapping the family in a nightmarish scenario.

The climax unfolds with furious supernatural elements as the girls confront the vengeful spirits. When Alice desperately pleads for her daughters’ safety, a harrowing possession occurs, leading to a tragic conclusion. Two months later, we find Lina, portrayed by Lulu Wilson, grappling with the aftermath in a mental hospital, where she attempts to reconnect with her lost sister through dark practices.

As the story closes, an older Lina, played by Lin Shaye, faces her own demons while hinting at her return to a life intertwined with the supernatural, setting the stage for chilling possibilities yet to unfold.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Visit to Fortune Teller

In Los Angeles, 1967, Mr. Browning and his younger wife, Jenny, decide to visit the home of fortune teller Alice Zander. While Mr. Browning seeks to connect with his deceased wife during the séance, Jenny remains skeptically aware of the potential deceit happening around them.

1967 Los Angeles

Séance Begins

During the séance conducted by Alice, a spirit disguised as Mr. Browning's late wife appears, frightening him in the process. The emotional show of fear raises tensions, and Alice, feeling guilty about the deceit, declines his offer of payment.

The Deception Revealed

Unbeknownst to the Browns, the entity haunting the séance is actually Alice's teenage daughter, Paulina, alongside her younger sister, Doris. Their involvement in the ruse creates internal family strife, especially when Alice reprimands Paulina for jeopardizing their profits.

The Ouija Board Experiment

Paulina sneaks out to join her friends Ellie and Mikey, where they experiment with a Ouija board. The attempt backfires when one friend becomes overwhelmed, signaling the dark power of the board and its potential consequences.

Alice's New Idea

At school, Alice naively decides to buy a Ouija board, believing it may enhance their business opportunities after the séance. That night, she inadvertently connects with a spirit named Marcus through Doris, invoking chilling and inexplicable responses.

Doris Plays Alone

In her quest to communicate with their deceased father, Roger, Doris breaks the cardinal rule of the Ouija board by playing alone. This reckless act triggers a series of haunting events, pulling the family deeper into the supernatural realm.

Father Tom's Concern

Father Tom reaches out to Alice, alarmed by Doris's unusual homework written in cursive. This odd behavior indicates a sudden, unexplained change in Doris and reveals her developing abilities related to the spirit world.

Foreclosure Notice

As mysterious events escalate within the household, the family receives a notice of foreclosure on their home. This economic pressure coincides with Doris presenting money she claims to have found, raising questions about the true cost of their supernatural interactions.

Séance with Father Tom

In a bid to explore the supernatural further, Alice and Doris hold a séance with Father Tom. The responses they receive are chilling, revealing dark secrets tied to their home and its past occupants, which heightens the sense of dread.

Mikey Visits

The situation worsens when Mikey visits the family, only to become ensnared by the vengeful entity haunting them. This moment signifies a turning point as the family is pulled deeper into a nightmare filled with supernatural terror.

Confrontation with Spirits

The climax of the story occurs as the girls confront the vengeful spirits, leading to chaotic supernatural events. Alice, desperate for her daughters' safety, witnesses a horrifying possession that spirals the situation out of control.

Aftermath in Mental Hospital

Two months later, Lina is found grappling with the aftermath of the supernatural events in a mental hospital. She attempts to reconnect with her lost sister through dark practices, highlighting her ongoing struggle with the haunting experiences.

Two months later Mental Hospital

Lina’s Future

As the story concludes, we see an older Lina, played by Lin Shaye, facing her personal demons. The narrative hints at her return to a life entwined with the supernatural, leaving open the possibility of more chilling events to come.

Characters

Explore all characters from Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Alice Zander (Elizabeth Reaser)

Alice is portrayed as a well-intentioned but misguided fortune teller who becomes entangled in the supernatural due to her desire for financial stability. Her vulnerability and desperation to provide for her family lead her to explore dangerous paths, revealing her deep love for her daughters despite her flaws. Alice's character arc highlights the tension between protection and neglect in the face of impending doom.

👩‍👧‍👧 Mother 📿 Fortune Teller 🕊️ Vulnerability

Paulina (Annalise Basso)

Paulina is a rebellious teenager experiencing a typical coming-of-age struggle, caught between skepticism and the pull of the supernatural. She embodies a blend of curiosity and defiance, challenging her mother's authority while grappling with issues of identity and loss. Her character serves as a vehicle for exploring the darker implications of their supernatural experiences.

👧 Teenager 🔍 Curiosity 💔 Grief

Doris (Lulu Wilson)

Doris is the innocent younger sister who unwittingly becomes a medium for the supernatural events unfolding around her. Her character evolves from a naive child into someone profoundly affected by the spirits they encounter. Doris's innocence and desperation to connect with her deceased father drive much of the film’s emotional weight.

👧 Young Girl 🕵️‍♀️ Innocence 🌀 Medium

Father Tom (Henry Thomas)

Father Tom is a compassionate figure who becomes involved as he notices Doris's troubling behavior. His character embodies the struggle between faith and fear as the supernatural phenomena intensify. He represents a rational approach to the emerging chaos, attempting to provide guidance while facing the overwhelming power of dark forces.

⛪ Priest 🙏 Faith 📚 Guidance

Lina (Lin Shaye)

Lina's journey showcases the long-term effects of trauma from the film's harrowing events. As the older version of one of the sisters, she grapples with her past and seeks to reconnect with the lost elements of her family. Her character represents resilience in the face of ongoing supernatural influences, hinting at the cyclical nature of horror.

👵 Survivor 💔 Trauma 🔄 Resilience

Setting

Learn where and when Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

1967

The year 1967 is significant for its cultural shifts and the rise of counterculture in America. This period was marked by experimentation with new spiritual practices and a fascination with the otherworldly, reflective of a generation seeking answers beyond traditional beliefs. The film effectively utilizes this era's atmospheric nuances to enhance its haunting narrative.

Location

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, known as the City of Angels, is famous for its entertainment industry and vibrant culture. In the context of this film, it represents a time when spiritualism was gaining popularity, and the supernatural was often explored in various forms of art and media. The setting during the late 1960s adds a unique layer to the story, influencing societal attitudes towards the occult and the unknown.

🏙️ City 🌆 1960s

Themes

Discover the main themes in Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🔮

Supernatural

The theme of supernatural forces is central to the movie, exemplified by the haunted Ouija board and the spirits that are invoked. It explores the consequences of meddling with the unknown, as characters grapple with the dangers of their actions and the harsh realities of the supernatural world. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the allure and peril of spiritual communication.

💔

Family

Family dynamics are crucial to the film, particularly the bond between the sisters Paulina and Doris, and their relationship with their mother, Alice. As the story unfolds, the impact of grief and loss is highlighted, showing how these themes drive the characters' decisions and ultimately lead to tragic consequences. The film poignantly reflects the fragility of family in the face of supernatural forces.

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