Good evening, everyone! I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we'll be diving into the film Ouija Experiment. I had the opportunity to watch it on Fawesome. This movie originally premiered in 2022, it has a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes. It is rated for viewers aged 18 and older. As an individual on the autism spectrum, I found the inclusion of subtitles to be immensely beneficial, as they significantly improved my ability to engage with the dialogue throughout the film. The film was directed by Jackson Batchelor, with Mike Peter Reed helming the segment titled Sean's Story. Martin W. Payne took charge of directing Debbie's Story, while Sam Mason-Bell directed Rebecca's Story, and Simon Berry was responsible for Graham's Story. The screenplay was crafted by Sam Mason-Bell, with contributions from Martin W. Payne for Debbie's Story and Jackson Batchelor for Martha's Story.
Summary: Five brave participants unleash a dark force when they take part in a psychology experiment on the aftereffects of a Ouija board session, discovering a terrifying reality that threatens to destroy them.
Review: -I appreciated the way the movie commenced; the opening scene effectively introduces each character individually, detailing their names and ages in a format reminiscent of a processing profile video. The narrative oscillates between these introductions as they begin to prepare the setting, placing candles and establishing the atmosphere. This approach allows us to glean essential information about each individual, including their occupations, family backgrounds, and motivations for participating in the experiment. I appreciated how the film explores themes related to communication with spirits, delving into the psychological impacts on those involved. It highlights the ambiguity of responses from the board, examines how personal histories shape individual reactions, and presents cautionary narratives about engaging with supernatural forces. The film's pacing felt a bit uneven; while the extensive character introductions and setting establishment were engaging, they slowed down the narrative. This lengthy setup detracted from the horror elements, delaying any real tension or supernatural occurrences. As the story progressed, the suspense increased and action unfolded rapidly, creating a rushed feeling compared to the earlier segments. I expected to see more interaction with the board in the movie, but it only featured in a few scenes. The first time the planchette was on screen for about 1 minute and 25 seconds, and overall, its presence felt limited. Throughout the film, I noticed that the movement of the planchette appeared awkward at times, with uncertainty about which letter it was pointing to. There were instances where the planchette moved even before questions were asked, which detracted from the experience. I appreciated that the film revealed intriguing historical facts about the Ouija board, particularly its connection to events like the release of The Exorcist in 1973. I would have preferred more exploration of its history, such as how the modern Ouija board gained popularity after the American Civil War, enabling people to communicate with deceased loved ones. I think that it would have been fascinating to learn about its origins, including references to similar practices in China around 1100 AD, known as "fuji" or planchette writing, which involved using a planchette for spirit communication and was part of certain rituals until it was banned by the Qing dynasty. I think that if the movie incorporating scenes where characters conduct research before participating in the experiment, complete with close-ups on their faces leading into flashbacks, could have enhance this narrative further. I appreciated the casting choices for the movie, but found the acting to be somewhat lacking. The performances during supernatural scenes felt unrealistic, despite the actors' evident effort. The chanting sequences appeared awkward and lacked fluidity, compounded by the cramped setting in which that scene was filmed in.
-I found the gore in the movie to be realistic and believable; however, the marks on the characters sometimes felt abrupt. I wish they had included timestamps at the bottom of the screen to indicate how many days had passed, as it was challenging to keep track of time during the 30-day experiment depicted in the film. With the character split up like they were I did appreciate how the movie segmented itself into different participants' perspectives, clearly indicating the characters we were following with on-screen text. I would have preferred a more professional and controlled setting for the experiment. The environment depicted in the film appeared somewhat low-budget, and the scenes lacked continuity during the experiment. It reminded me of how The Try Guys produce their videos, where they carry cameras with them and provide updates through video diary entries while engaging in activities like wearing corsets and dresses for an entire week or just a few hours while going about their daily routines. They often return to their individual homes rather than remaining together as a group. I believe it would have been more engaging if the format resembled that of the television show: Big Brother.
-I appreciated meeting some characters in the movie, although I found the young male characters problematic due to their portrayal of toxic masculinity and abuse towards women. Nonetheless, I valued the inclusion of these themes as they raise awareness. I particularly enjoyed getting to know one of Martha's friends and wished we could have seen more of her and other supporting characters in the movie. I appreciated that the film featured a main character who practiced Wicca; however, I found their portrayal to be inconsistent with traditional Wiccan values. Wicca is a contemporary pagan religion centred on nature worship, magical practices, and reverence for deities, particularly a Goddess and a God. It is crucial to recognize that Wicca adheres to specific ethical principles that set it apart from other forms of witchcraft or paganism. A fundamental aspect of Wiccan belief is encapsulated in the Wiccan Rede, which advises: "An it harm none, do what ye will." While some broader pagan traditions may incorporate sacrifice into their rituals, this does not reflect the beliefs of Wicca as a whole. I wished the movie had presented a more positive representation of Wicca, rather than perpetuating misconceptions that could foster fear among those unfamiliar with the subject. In the opening scene featuring Martha's part, there was a sound issue where audio was only audible through one headphone. Fortunately, this problem was brief and did not persist throughout the film. Like many others, I find such audio discrepancies quite frustrating; in fact, when I encounter similar issues in YouTube videos, I often choose to skip them and select a different video instead.
-I found the conclusion of the movie to be quite satisfying; it provided a sense of closure that resonated with me. The way they crafted the ending was reminiscent of a medical documentaries, where a photograph of an individual is displayed alongside insightful updates about their current well-being and life circumstances following significant events. This thoughtful editing added depth and context, enhancing my overall appreciation for the film.
I rate each film I watch out of 10 and for this one, I give it a 5.5 Remember this was what I thought about the movie personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.
