Unleashing Brilliance: Mike Flanagan's Masterful Prequel to a Lackluster Horror Flick
Horror maestro Mike Flanagan fearlessly takes on the challenge of crafting a quality prequel to a lackluster film in 'Ouija: Origin of Evil' Immerse yourself in Flanagan's unique touch as he transforms the franchise with his signature style and delivers a terrifyingly captivating experience
Article Summary
Mike Flanagan initially had no interest in making a horror sequel, but Universal Pictures gave him creative freedom on Ouija: Origin of Evil.
Ouija: Origin of Evil surpasses the original Ouija by expertly showcasing Mike Flanagan's ability to intricately develop characters, evoke genuine fear, and seamlessly blend psychological horror with the supernatural.
Once upon a spooky time, Mike Flanagan had no interest in creating a horror sequel. The writer-director of the original bone-chilling films Absentia, Oculus, Hush, and Before I Wake described himself to Esquire in 2016 as having "an aversion to sequels and remakes in general." Ouija, a 2014 movie from Universal Pictures, received negative reviews from critics but earned enough profit to justify a sequel (a worldwide gross of $103 million against a budget of only $5 million). Faced with a creative predicament, Universal executives, in collaboration with Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions (which had co-produced Flanagan's Oculus), looked for a filmmaker who could rectify Ouija's mistakes. Despite Flanagan's lack of interest, Blum assured him near-total freedom on the project. The result was Ouija: Origin of Evil, Flanagan's fifth feature film and his first with a major studio. Unhampered by constraints, Flanagan crafted a period piece strong enough to stand on its own, separate from its poorly-received predecessor. Honestly, it's almost unjust — though not unexpected — how outstanding Ouija: Origin of Evil turned out to be. It defies all logic. And critics agree: while Ouija holds a paltry 5% on Rotten Tomatoes, Origin of Evil proudly sits at 84%. Trust Mike Flanagan to work a cinematic miracle, transforming a "prequel-as-sequel" to an abysmal movie.
Ouija: Origin of Evil
In 1967, a single mother and her daughters venture into a risky business ploy by introducing a malevolent force into their household, unaware of the grave danger it poses. Scheduled for release on October 21, 2016, "Ouija: Origin of Evil" is a spine-chilling horror film directed by Mike Flanagan. The cast includes Doug Jones, Henry Thomas, Elizabeth Reaser, Kate Siegel, Lin Shaye, and Annalise Basso. With a PG-13 rating, this terrifying movie is produced by Universal Pictures and written by Mike Flanagan and Jeff Howard. Its gripping tagline warns, "When you communicate with the supernatural, you never know who may be listening." For more information, visit the official website at http://ouijamovie.com/.
What Is ‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’ About?
Ouija: Origin of Evil triumphs where Ouija falls short by leveraging the filmmaking techniques that are Mike Flanagan's forte: his skill in crafting compelling and multi-dimensional characters, his ability to create an immersive atmosphere through seamless editing, and his adeptness at merging psychological horror with the supernatural. Flanagan's mastery is evident in this film as he selects an outstanding ensemble cast, led by Elizabeth Reaser portraying Alice Zander, with Annalise Basso and Lulu Wilson portraying her daughters, Lina and Doris, respectively. Together, these three women engage in a deceptive séance business to support themselves financially, following the tragic demise of Alice's husband and the girls' father in a car accident. Their enterprise, though unconventional, is driven by noble intentions. When grieving individuals seek solace in communicating with their departed loved ones, the Zanders orchestrate predetermined effects to give a sense of connection, leaving their clients with a restored sense of peace. While Alice feels uneasy with their well-rehearsed routine, she understands the limitations imposed on a widowed single mother in 1967, where the demands of raising and providing for two daughters and dealing with imminent foreclosure consume their limited funds rapidly.
So when Lina engages in a Ouija board session during a party, Alice reluctantly incorporates the board into their illusionary performance. Instantly, 9-year-old Doris starts hearing voices, mistakenly thinking it's her father; however, viewers are aware of the truth. The Zanders' residence isn't haunted by just one persistent ghost, but rather by numerous agonized spirits. A Nazi doctor once conducted ghastly experiments and concealed the remains of his victims within the walls of the basement. The trapped souls, along with the malevolent entities possessing Alice, overhear every occurrence within the Zanders' home. Even Father Thomas, the benevolent priest from the local school (portrayed by Henry Thomas), is unable to assist with this formidable predicament.
Mike Flanagan Made ‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’ Entirely His Own
Image via Universal Pictures
During the promotion of Ouija: Origin of Evil, Flanagan commended Universal and Jason Blum for their hands-off approach. He stated to Esquire, "They were more focused on creating a great film rather than emphasizing connections to the first movie. If we hadn't discussed this from the start, I wouldn't have pursued the project. It was a liberating experience to join a franchise without being bound by the established rules of the initial installment." In the same year, Flanagan shared with Den of Geek, "I believe Blum's decision to allow filmmakers to conceive an exceptional vision for the film before diving in is spot-on, rather than relying solely on the suggestions of our marketing department."
One of Flanagan's stipulations for this prequel sequel was the setting, which he based on classics like The Exorcist and The Changeling to focus his approach. Cinematographer Michael Fimognari utilized "antique lenses" and opted for in-camera zooms instead of Steadicams or dolly shots. In the editing process, they deliberately recreated the visual imperfections and audio cues of a 1960s film reel. Origin of Evil starts with the iconic Universal Pictures logo and a superimposed title card, adding to the nostalgic charm. "I wanted to capture the same feeling I had when I first discovered horror movies," Flanagan confessed. In Origin of Evil, Mike Flanagan returns to his haunted house/demonic possession roots, but this time, he leverages his extensive experience instead of relying solely on instincts.
‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’ Has Everything That Makes Mike Flanagan Great
The Ouija: Origin of Evil stands out from other films in the horror genre by skillfully maintaining a well-crafted narrative structure. Unlike many similar movies, it doesn't sacrifice coherence for style. Instead, it embraces its vintage aesthetic while staying true to its core storyline. The attention to detail, evident in the production design and color grading, adds depth to the film's overall atmosphere and gives it a unique and recognizable identity. When compared to contemporary horror films, The Ouija: Origin of Evil shares similarities with both The Conjuring and The Exorcist. It goes beyond exploiting its characters for cheap thrills, ensuring that the audience genuinely cares about their well-being rather than merely treating them as disposable victims. Director Flanagan took great care in developing compelling characters for Origin of Evil, recognizing that a good horror film should do more than simply kill off archetypal figures in a bleak environment. By prioritizing character development, the movie affirms that a strong emotional connection is essential to create a truly impactful horror experience.
Origin of Evil stands out for its focus on women protagonists, a characteristic that is often seen in Mike Flanagan's works. In this film, we follow the journeys of a 9-year-old, a 15-year-old, and a woman in her forties as they grapple with various challenges, from managing a household to experiencing teenage emotions. Flanagan's intention was to create a movie centered around a single mother and three dynamic female leads, and he succeeds admirably. Each character, Alice, Lina, and Doris, is multi-dimensional, as Flanagan takes the time to highlight their individual struggles and joys. For example, Alice silently calculates the family's limited finances, Lina experiences the thrill of her first kiss, and Doris faces mockery from her classmates without blaming her mother's financial situation. The Zanders' circumstances are portrayed sympathetically, without resorting to pity. During the intense climax, even small details like smudged mascara on Alice's face speak volumes about the character's emotional turmoil. By prioritizing character development over genre conventions, Flanagan effectively builds empathy for the Zanders and amplifies the impact of their fractured relationships.
Despite its PG-13 rating, Origin of Evil proves that Flanagan can deliver scares without relying on excessive gore. He welcomed this challenge, recognizing that the limitations provided an opportunity to focus on atmosphere and timing rather than shock value. To accomplish this, Flanagan takes inspiration from classic horror films like Psycho and Poltergeist, studying their inventive approaches to create tension. The most disturbing moments in the film are psychological in nature, such as Doris' haunting all-white eyes or the grotesque image of a figure forcing its arm down her throat. These visuals are deeply unsettling due to their inherent wrongness. However, even the more subdued instances of violence in Flanagan's film serve a purpose. Each unsettling moment contributes to the building of Origin of Evil's tragic and devastating conclusion, while also allowing the performers to portray remarkably realistic emotions.
Ouija: Origin of Evil marked a significant turning point in Mike Flanagan's career in terms of funding and public awareness. Combining his already recognized skills in the horror community with the resources of Universal Pictures, this movie represented a shift for Flanagan. In the same year, Netflix released Hush, followed by Flanagan's true breakout, The Haunting of Hill House, two years later. Despite its seemingly incongruent title in Flanagan's body of work, Ouija: Origin of Evil is anything but a one-off. It continues Flanagan's streak of successful films, such as Absentia, Oculus, and The Haunting of Hill House, which explore the true horrors of grief and loneliness rather than relying on a possessed girl whispering in someone's ear. (Though that is still undeniably terrifying.)
You can now stream Ouija: Origin of Evil on Netflix.
Editor's P/S
In Mike Flanagan's "Ouija: Origin of Evil," the acclaimed director fearlessly takes on the daunting task of crafting a prequel to a lackluster horror flick. With his signature style, Flanagan manages to transform the franchise, delivering a terrifyingly captivating experience that surpasses its predecessor.
Flanagan's ability to intricately develop characters, evoke genuine fear, and seamlessly blend psychological horror with the supernatural is on full display in this film. The outstanding ensemble cast, led by Elizabeth Reaser and Annalise Basso, brings depth and authenticity to their roles, drawing the audience into the eerie and unsettling atmosphere of the film.
Overall, "Ouija: Origin of Evil" is a testament to Flanagan's exceptional storytelling skills and his ability to elevate even the most unpromising material. This film is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates well-crafted, spine-chilling cinema.
