Ouija: Origin of Evil
Universal Pictures | Release Date: October 21, 2016 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
65
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews
Positive:
18
Mixed:
8
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
90
TheWrapSam FragosoOct 18, 2016
Equal parts horror masterclass and internal home-invasion thriller, “Ouija” is as chilling and nerve-racking as they come. It’s a sort of cinematic heart attack — irreparably damaging to the body and mind, with a slow recovery time. Read full review
80
The New York TimesNeil GenzlingerOct 20, 2016
The director, Mike Flanagan, who with Jeff Howard also wrote the script, demonstrates rare patience for horror fare as he builds toward the macabre. Read full review
80
Arizona RepublicRandy CordovaOct 20, 2016
If anything, the movie's third act is the only thing that feels a bit a disappointing. The plot is carefully constructed, the performances are rich (both girls are excellent), the characters are believable and a sense of dread grows throughout. Heck, the movie is even great to look at, with its period sheen and slightly muted colors. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterFrank ScheckOct 18, 2016
Infused with psychological complexity and nuanced characterizations, Ouija: Origin of Evil falters only in the final section. Read full review
75
RogerEbert.comOdie HendersonOct 21, 2016
This is one overstuffed horror movie recipe, with a dash of “The Exorcist” and a spritz of “Ghost” among its tasty ingredients. Read full review
75
St. Louis Post-DispatchCalvin WilsonOct 20, 2016
Timed for the Halloween season, Ouija: Origin of Evil should have horror fans clutching their seats. Read full review
75
The A.V. ClubKatie RifeOct 19, 2016
Flanagan has a couple of solid genre films on his résumé already; at this point in his career, it would have been surprising if Origin Of Evil wasn’t better than Ouija. It is better, though, in every conceivable way, from casting to story to atmosphere. Read full review
75
ConsequenceRandall ColburnOct 19, 2016
Flanagan’s scares are so precise, so exquisitely timed, that they’re able to imprint the mind as much as quicken the pulse. Read full review
75
IndieWireKate ErblandOct 18, 2016
“Ouija” is genuinely frightening and smart, the rare horror prequel able to stand on its own merits and deliver a full-bodied story that succeeds without any previous knowledge or trappings. However, in outfitting this particular haunted house with monsters to spare, Flanagan loses the thread of what’s really scary: Everything we can’t see. Read full review
70
Village VoiceAlan ScherstuhlOct 22, 2016
Like The Conjuring and the many immersive spook-house thrillers inspired by it, Origin of Evil demands and rewards attentiveness, inviting scrutiny of its frames, study of its negative space. Read full review
70
Screen DailyKim NewmanOct 18, 2016
Origin of Evil doesn’t stretch the conventions of teen-appeal spookiness too far, but is solidly put together, mounted with a pleasant conviction and runs to several fine performances and some decent scares. Read full review
70
VarietyGeoff BerkshireOct 18, 2016
After an hour or so spent establishing characters worth caring about, the narrative starts to devolve, and the more the film circles back to the mythology of “Ouija,” the sillier it gets. Much like the characters at its center, this prequel can’t outrun the ghosts of its past. Read full review
67
Austin ChronicleMarc SavlovOct 19, 2016
Not so much horrific as it is just skeletons-in-the-basement creepy, this is a shuddery fun surprise for horror fans, who by the way should stick around until the closing credits are done for a special (if inevitable) trick or treat. Read full review
63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Brad WheelerOct 20, 2016
This is a prequel superior to its predecessor – we’re not bored with board-game ghoulishness yet. Read full review
63
Philadelphia InquirerTirdad DerakhshaniOct 20, 2016
While it's not entirely successful, this stylish shocker is a big step up from the earlier film. Read full review
63
Movie NationRoger MooreOct 19, 2016
Reaser, Thomas, Basso and especially the demonically playful Miss Wilson play the Mike Flanagan, Jeff Howard script like a fiddle. Read full review
63
The Seattle TimesKatie WalshOct 18, 2016
For a horror sequel built around a foundation of genre trends, Ouija: Origin of Evil contains far more goofy-spooky fun than one might expect. Read full review
63
Slant MagazineEd GonzalezOct 18, 2016
The film complements its goose-pimply frights with an unabashedly naked emotional gravitas. Read full review
60
New York Daily NewsEdward DouglasOct 18, 2016
Ouija: Origin of Evil offers some easy scares and cheesy fun, but if nothing else, it gets points for not losing sight of its characters amidst those scares. Read full review
60
Total FilmStephen KellyOct 18, 2016
Unlike the stock teenagers of Ouija, the Zander family are likeable and convincing. Scares are still rudimentary, but rooted in a sharper script. Read full review
60
We Got This CoveredMatt DonatoOct 18, 2016
Ouija: Origin Of Evil would have been better than Ouija with even a quarter of the screams evoked, which makes the tremendous jump in quality quite refreshing despite derivative storytelling. Read full review
60
The GuardianMike McCahillOct 18, 2016
It’s still no scarier than any branded content, and perhaps only the most lukewarm slumber party would truly need it. Yet if you were to ask whether Origin of Evil offers a better quality of timewasting than its predecessor, my finger would hover inexorably over YES. Read full review
60
Time Out LondonTom HuddlestonOct 18, 2016
Origin of Evil takes a while to get going, and the demonic possession plot pretty much runs on rails. And yet there’s plenty to admire here: strong performances (‘ET’ legend Henry Thomas is a welcome sight as a kindly priest), top-notch jump-scares and some unexpectedly lovely, almost ‘Far From Heaven’-ish autumnal photography. Read full review
50
Entertainment WeeklyChristian HolubOct 20, 2016
Effective horror relies on the actualization of some deep-seated cultural fear, but Ouija: Origin of Evil supplies only ineffective clichés and half-hearted attempts at franchise building. Read full review
50
San Francisco ChronicleMichael OrdonaOct 20, 2016
There’s nothing unique about the setup. But Flanagan and Howard’s script has charming touches, wringing humor out of characters rather than gags. Even the retro opening title card foretells its self-aware sense of humor. Read full review
50
Washington PostJane HorwitzOct 20, 2016
Ouija: Origin of Evil is, somewhat unexpectedly, not that bad. Read full review
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