It’s not often ahorrormovie that critics and fans universally despise gets a prequel, but that’s the case with 2014’sOuija, which holds just a 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was called “forgettable” by the majority of viewers. However, when a film made for just $6 million takes in over $100 million at the box office, it’s hard to overlook the potential for more. Produced by Michael Bay and Jason Blum, the duo enlisted the aid of directorMike Flanaganto help them concoct something fresh, and the result wasOuija: Origin of Evil, a prequel that many people forget is one of Flanagan’s best movies.
Hitting theaters on June 15, 2025,Ouija: Origin of Evilis a period piece that takes place in 1967 and is as much a family drama as it isa good old-fashioned possession flick. Focusing on a widowed mother who unwittingly invites evil into her home by adding a new stunt to bolster her séance scam business, she must confront unthinkable fears to save her daughter from the merciless spirit that’s overtaken her. It certainly doesn’t sound like anything special from the synopsis, but in the hands of Flanagan, the film is elevated to be so much more than your standard horror fare. The best part? You don’t have to sit through the 2014 original to understand what’s going on, which saves viewers from wasting 90 minutes of their time.
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Starring Elizabeth Reaser, Lulu Wilson, Annalise Basso, and Henry Thomas (who would go on to become a Flanagan regular),Ouija: Origin of Evilwasn’t as successful at the box office as its predecessor, making $20 million less than the original. That was to be expected, though, as you couldn’t really rely on viewers to take a chance on a prequel when the first movie was a critical disaster. In the years since, however, it’s gone on to become a favorite of many thanks to digital and streaming, and if you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing it,Ouija: Origin of Evilis set to hitTubion June 15, 2025.
‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’ Is Superior in Every Way to the Original
Having already directed such hits asAbsentia,Hush, andOculusbeforeOuija: Origin of Evilcame along, Flanagan had established himself as a fresh voice in the horror space with a deft hand for blending the psychological with the supernatural. It’s no wonder Bay and Blum enlisted him for their prequel, as he was easily one of the hottest new filmmakers around. As such, they gave him free rein to create the kind of horror movie he wanted, which led to his film being vastly superior to the 2014 movie in every way possible.
Not only did the period setting ofOuija: Origin of Evilwork to establish atmosphere and tension, but Flanagan’s characters were so much more than standard stereotypes that could scream on cue. They were fully realized, three-dimensional peoplethat the audience could fall in love withand root for, making the prequel feel more personal than what came before. It gave us a glimpse into the kind of director Flanagan would become, as he can easily be described as the Stephen King of filmmakers, meaning he focuses on character first, and plot second. That’s probably why he’s become one of the greatest adapters of King’s novels, as he can understand the author unlike anyone ever has.
Critics Loved ‘Ouija: Origin of Evil’
Unlike the first film, critics (and fans) had much higher praise forOuija: Origin of Evil, and rightfully so. Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 83% rating, Brian Eggert from Deep Focus Review wrote that “the movie should stand as a shining example to studios that a director with vision and a solid script can turn a nonsensical franchise entry into something worthy of attention.” Noted horror critic Heather Wixson also added her voice to the mix, writing:
“A sequel far better than anyone probably could have expected after seeing the first installment, Ouija: Origin of Evil is a real treat for horror lovers, and it’s one of Flanagan’s most well-crafted efforts to date.”
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It’s hard to believe that in the time sinceOuija: Origin of Evil, Flanagan has only directed three other movies (Gerald’s Game,Doctor Sleep, andThe Life of Chuck), opting instead to turn the majority of his attention to small-screen scares likeThe Haunting of Hill House,Midnight Mass, andThe Fall of the House of Usher. Next up for him is yet another adaptation of King’s first novel,Carrie,which is now filming for Prime Video.
