What are the main themes of Witchboard?

The summary picks out 3 themes: Supernatural, Relationships and Death.

Who directed Witchboard?

Witchboard (1987) was directed by Kevin Tenney and runs 1 hour 38 minutes.

Witchboard (1987) Plot Summary & Timeline

Q: Who are the main characters in Witchboard?

The story follows Brandon Sinclair, Linda Brewster, Jim Morar and Zarabeth Crawford; the character guide covers 5 characters in all.

No spoilers

What Is Witchboard About?

The premise of Witchboard in 317 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.

In the crisp chill of a Halloween night, a group of college friends gathers in a sprawling suburban home, the walls alive with music, laughter, and the flicker of candlelight. The evening’s carefree atmosphere turns inquisitive when a well‑worn Ouija board is uncovered, promising a night of cheap thrills and whispered secrets. The house itself feels both familiar and uncanny, its cramped corridors and shadowed rooms becoming a perfect stage for something that cannot be contained by ordinary rules.

Brandon Sinclair, the unofficial ringleader, is drawn to the board by a lingering curiosity about the afterlife, hoping to reconnect with a friendly presence he once sensed. Across the room, Linda Brewster, his former girlfriend, watches with a mix of skepticism and lingering affection, while her current boyfriend, Jim Morar, treats the whole affair as teenage nonsense. Their dynamic crackles with the tension of past relationships, unspoken doubts, and the thin line between daring bravado and genuine fear, setting the tone for an uneasy alliance as the night unfolds.

What begins as an innocent attempt to summon a benign spirit inadvertently opens a doorway to something far darker. A malevolent entity known only as Malfeitor slips through the veil, its presence felt in sudden cold drafts, unsettling noises, and the way ordinary objects seem to shift of their own accord. The friends soon sense that they have invited a force that does not play by the rules of the living world, and the once‑playful party atmosphere ripples with an undercurrent of dread.

The film balances the vibrant pulse of a youthful celebration with an ever‑growing sense of horror, letting the ordinary clash with the supernatural. As the group grapples with the unknown, the story teases the question of how far they will go to reclaim control over a night that has already slipped into darkness, inviting the audience to linger in the uneasy space between curiosity and terror.

Full plot

What Happens in Witchboard?

The complete story of Witchboard, from the first scene to the last, in 643 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.

Spoilers ahead

In the heart of a vibrant house party in Fairfield, California, Brandon Sinclair (actor) decides to bring out his Ouija board with the intentions of reconnecting with David, a spirit he and his ex-girlfriend Linda Brewster (actor) had previously communicated with. When Jim Morar (actor), Linda’s current boyfriend, dismisses the notion of David’s presence, the spirit reacts harshly by slashing Brandon’s car tires. The following day, undeterred, Linda turns to the board again in hopes of locating her lost engagement ring with David’s assistance.

Meanwhile, at the construction site where Jim works, tragedy strikes as his friend Lloyd (actor) dies in an accident involving falling drywall. Lieutenant Dewhurst (actor) questions Jim about the unfortunate incident, while Linda becomes more engrossed in her interactions with David, seeking comfort amidst her shaky relationship with Jim. However, as her connection to the spirit deepens, Linda begins to exhibit unsettling symptoms, including nausea.

As concerns regarding Linda’s potential pregnancy loom over them, Brandon decides to enlist the help of psychic medium Zarabeth Crawford (actor) to hold a séance and potentially banish David’s spirit. During this event, Zarabeth channels David, revealing himself to be the spirit of a ten-year-old boy, igniting feelings of maternal instinct within Linda and further strengthening her bond with the spirit.

However, calamity strikes when Zarabeth returns home only to be found brutally murdered, her body thrown through a window and impaled on a sundial. The next day, Brandon discovers the gruesome news and, suspecting David to be responsible, shares his fears with Jim, who remains skeptical of the wild claims made by his friend.

As Jim observes Brandon leave, a horrifying scene unfolds before him: Linda thrashing violently against a wall, leading to her unconscious state. At the hospital, doctors confirm the unsettling truth – Linda is not pregnant. Faced with this distressing news, Jim decides to team up with Brandon to unravel the mystery surrounding David. Their investigation reveals a shocking history: David was a ten-year-old boy who drowned in a nearby lake a decade earlier. In their attempts to communicate with David again, they uncover that Linda is being tormented by Carlos Malfeitor, an ominous spirit with a dark past.

Amidst all this chaos, disaster strikes at the dock when a precariously stacked pile of fishing barrels falls onto Jim, knocking him out. Brandon, too, meets a grim fate when he is attacked with a hatchet by Malfeitor. As Jim regains consciousness, he grieves his friend’s death and becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about Malfeitor. A dive into Carlos’ history reveals that he was a notorious axe murderer who met a violent end in his home back in 1930, eerily mirroring the home that Jim and Linda now share.

The situation escalates when Linda, just back from the hospital, suffers a brutal assault by Malfeitor’s malevolent spirit. The next day, Jim discovers their home in disarray, only to be attacked by a possessed Linda. On the scene arrives Dewhurst, who mistakenly accuses Jim of the horrific crimes, but in a moment of chaotic bravery, Linda uses a fire poker to strike him down.

At a critical moment, Jim takes aim at the Ouija board, the root of their torment, and fires, which sends the board hurtling through a window onto a passing car, signaling a turning point in their harrowing ordeal. In the aftermath, Jim and Linda emerge victorious, freed from Malfeitor’s influence, and decide to start afresh together, culminating in their marriage.

However, as they begin to return to their normal lives, a chilling scene unfolds when their landlady, Mrs. Moses (actor), cleaning their house with her granddaughter, discovers the enigmatic board. Curious about its powers, she muses aloud, and as her eyes fall upon the planchette, it inexplicably shifts to spell out “yes,” indicating that Malfeitor’s ominous presence might still linger, casting a long shadow over their future.

Timeline

Witchboard Timeline: Every Key Event in Order

16 key events in the order they happen, from “The Ouija Board is Introduced” to “The Landlady's Discovery”. 10 events name a place, across 8 locations.

1

The Ouija Board is Introduced

During a lively house party in Fairfield, California, Brandon Sinclair decides to reconnect with a spirit named David using a Ouija board. This was an attempt to rekindle his connection with the supernatural alongside his ex-girlfriend, Linda Brewster.

Where:Fairfield, California
2

Tires Slashed

Jim Morar, Linda's current boyfriend, dismisses the idea of David's presence, setting off a chain of supernatural events. The spirit reacts violently by slashing the tires of Brandon's car, signaling the dark turn that their lifestyle is about to take.

Where:Fairfield, California
3

Linda's Search for the Lost Ring

Despite the earlier chaos, Linda seeks the Ouija board once more, hoping to locate her lost engagement ring with the help of David. This decision marks the beginning of her descent into a deeper connection with the spirit world.

Where:Fairfield, California
4

Tragedy Strikes at the Construction Site

Meanwhile, at Jim's workplace, disaster unfolds as his co-worker Lloyd dies in a fall due to an accident involving drywall. This incident adds to Jim's growing stress and impacts his already shaky relationship with Linda.

Where:Construction Site
5

Linda's Unsettling Symptoms

As Linda continues to reach out to David, she starts to experience disturbing symptoms, such as nausea and heightened emotional turmoil. This raises alarm among those around her, hinting at the dangerous influence of the spirit.
6

The Séance with Zarabeth

Desperate to rid themselves of David's spirit, Brandon consults psychic medium Zarabeth Crawford to conduct a séance. During this event, David's true identity as a ten-year-old boy is revealed, inadvertently deepening Linda's bond with him.
7

Zarabeth's Murder

Tragedy strikes again when Zarabeth is found murdered at her home, her body brutally discarded. Brandon believes that David is behind this horrific act, raising the stakes of the supernatural occurrences stemming from the Ouija board.

Where:Zarabeth's Home
8

Linda's Disturbing Episode

Jim witnesses a shocking scene when Linda thrashes violently against a wall, leaving her in an unconscious state. At the hospital, doctors confirm that she is not pregnant, amplifying the tension and confusion within their relationship.

Where:Hospital
9

Uncovering David's Past

Jim and Brandon delve into David's backstory, learning that he drowned in a nearby lake a decade prior. Their investigation evolves into a quest to sever Linda's painful connection to David and to confront the dark spirit that haunts her.

Where:Nearby Lake
10

Carlos Malfeitor Enters the Scene

As they attempt to communicate with David again, the duo uncovers that Linda is actually being tormented by Carlos Malfeitor, a malevolent spirit linked to a violent history. This revelation introduces an even greater threat into their lives.

Show the other 6 events of Witchboard

11

Jim's Near-Death Experience

A pile of fishing barrels collapses at the dock, leaving Jim unconscious from a vicious accident. This near-death experience fuels his determination to confront the supernatural forces challenging his and Linda's safety.

Where:Dock
12

Brandon's Attack

In a tragic turn of events, Brandon is brutally attacked with a hatchet by Malfeitor, marking a climactic confrontation with evil. This loss weighs heavily on Jim as he mourns his friend's death amid the chaos.
13

Linda's Possession

Returning from the hospital, Linda falls victim to a vicious assault from Malfeitor's spirit. Jim is left to face the terrifying reality of Linda being possessed, battling both her and his own fears in a desperate fight for survival.

Where:Home
14

The Fire Poker Incident

In a moment of frantic chaos, Linda uses a fire poker to strike down Lieutenant Dewhurst, who mistakenly accuses Jim of being the perpetrator of recent crimes. This act showcases the desperate measures they are forced to take against the dark forces at play.
15

Freedom from Malfeitor

In a final act of bravery and desperation, Jim destroys the Ouija board, severing the connection to their turmoil. Following this pivotal moment, Jim and Linda emerge relieved yet forever changed, deciding to start anew and eventually marry, despite the lingering shadows of their past.
16

The Landlady's Discovery

As Jim and Linda attempt to return to their normal lives, their landlady, Mrs. Moses, finds the Ouija board while cleaning the house. Her curiosity triggers an ominous response from the board, suggesting that the evil spirit's influence might not be entirely vanquished.

Where:Jim and Linda's Home

Characters

Who Are the Main Characters in Witchboard?

5 characters, among them Brandon Sinclair, Linda Brewster and Jim Morar: who each one is and the part they play in the story.

BS
Brandon Sinclair

Brandon is a determined individual who initially seeks to reconnect with a spirit from the past. His unwitting actions lead to escalating supernatural events, reflecting both bravery and naivety. As he loses friends, his focus shifts to solving the mysteries surrounding the spirit and protecting those he cares for.
- 🧑‍🎤 Protagonist
- 🕵️‍♂️ Investigator
LB
Linda Brewster

Linda is caught in a tumultuous emotional state, torn between the spirit's allure and her relationship with Jim. Her experience with David leads to a transformation that impacts her sanity and relationships. As a character, she embodies fragility and strength as she confronts the dark forces surrounding her.
- 👩‍❤️‍👨 Love Interest
- 🌀 Enigmatic
JM
Jim Morar

Jim is depicted as skeptical but ultimately becomes a reluctant hero in the face of danger. His evolving relationship with Linda showcases trust and betrayal. As the stakes rise, he transitions from a passive observer to a proactive seeker of the truth.
- 👨‍🦰 Skeptic
- 🌪️ Determined
ZC
Zarabeth Crawford

Zarabeth serves as the psychic medium who bridges the living with the deceased. Her presence unravels more than just communication with spirits; she represents the dangers of crossing boundaries that should remain untouched. Her tragic fate adds mystery and urgency to the narrative.
- 🔮 Medium
- 👁️‍🗨️ Mysterious
CM
Carlos Malfeitor

Carlos is the central antagonist, a malevolent spirit tied to a dark past that wreaks havoc on the living. His influence brings chaos and serves as a reminder of unresolved pain that can manifest in terrifying ways. His background adds depth to the horror elements of the film.
- 👻 Villain
- ⚔️ Dark Spirit

Setting

Where and When Is Witchboard Set?

Witchboard is set in Fairfield and California. Here is why the place matters to the story.

When

The movie does not specify a particular time period but unfolds in a contemporary setting. The issues of relationships, loss, and supernatural occurrences resonate with modern themes, providing a relatable context for viewers.

Where

Fairfield, California

Fairfield, California, is a vibrant community known for its family-friendly environment and abundance of outdoor activities. The nearby lakes and construction sites serve as critical backdrops for the unfolding supernatural events in the film, making the location feel both familiar and eerie.

🏡 Location
🌊 Water

Themes

What Are the Themes of Witchboard?

3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Supernatural, Relationships and Death.

01

Supernatural

The theme of the supernatural is central to the film, with the Ouija board serving as the conduit for communication with spirits. It explores the consequences of meddling with the unknown, as characters face both benign and malevolent entities. As the information unfolds, the danger of spiritual connections becomes increasingly evident.
02

Relationships

The film delves into the complexities of human relationships, particularly focusing on Linda's struggle between her past feelings for Brandon and her present with Jim. As supernatural events intensify, the nature of trust and commitment is tested, highlighting how love can be both a source of strength and vulnerability.
03

Death

Death and its aftermath are pervasive themes throughout the story, from the tragic demise of characters to the haunting presence of spirits. The film explores how unresolved tragedies impact the living and examines the idea of finding closure in the wake of loss.

Tone & mood

What Kind of Film Is Witchboard?

Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.

Tone: Tense
Pacing: Steady
Story: Straightforward
Intensity: High
Ending: Ambiguous

A steadily escalating supernatural thriller that generates palpable anxiety through a vengeful spirit's manipulation, leading to brutal murders and a tense struggle for survival with an unsettling, open-ended conclusion.

anxious
suspenseful
paranoid
malevolent
ominous
frightening
supernatural horror
ouija board
vengeful spirit
occult

Content notes: graphic murder, supernatural possession, psychological manipulation, false pregnancy.

Quiz

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Where to watch

Where to Watch Witchboard

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.