Mike Flanagan is undoubtedly my favorite horror filmmaker working today. In the best ways, he reminds me a great deal of the late Wes Craven. While their styles might be different, the humanity innate in their work shares profound parallels. I’m a bit of a sap, so humanistic horror filmmaking is always going to win me over. When vampires take over a small island, I want some tears with the bloodshed, okay?
Recently, Mike Flanagan has been principally riding the Stephen King train, helming some of the best adaptations of the author’s work of all time. There’s no reason Gerald’s Game should have worked as an adaptation, though thanks to Flanagan (and a fantastic Carla Gugino), it did. The forthcoming The Life of Chuck, while not a horror movie, is already getting rave reviews, including from our own Managing Editor Josh Korngut. A decade ago, however, Flanagan first got the credit he deserved, helming what’s arguably one of the best horror sequels of all time. From that moment onward, everyone knew Flanagan was the real deal.
Now, the film is streaming on Netflix.
Per Netflix: In 1960s California, a fake medium’s daughter tries to communicate with her late father through a Ouija board, but unleashes a demon instead.
We all watched Scream 2 and can probably remember the horror sequel discussion, what with sequels, by definition, being inferior films. It’s funny because Scream 2 is arguably better than the original, but it’s also challenging, because just think about it. In the horror world, how many sequels are actually better than their originals? The Conjuring 2, Evil Dead II, maybe Dawn of the Dead, depending on the day? It’s a matter of taste, sure, but there aren’t many. In fact, Ouija: Origin of Evil might just be the definitive case, largely because the original was so poorly received, and no one had any expectations a sequel would be good, let alone this good.
In our original review for Ouija: Origin of Evil, we wrote, “Ouija: Origin of Evil succeeds on many levels. While suspense and scares are easily anticipated by we fans who’ve seen it all and then some, there are a few genuinely surprising and spooky moments to be had.”
I even revisited the film several years later, writing, “It’s another testament to Flanagan’s indomitable spirit. In his hands, the horror genre is more capable than ever of seducing, frightening, and ultimately possessing its audience. Long live the board.” Yeah, it’s a good one.
What do you think? What’s your favorite horror sequel? Any plans to revisit Ouija: Origin of Evil on Netflix? Let me know over on Twitter @Chadiscollins.
Categorized:News
