Ouija Resurrection

Ouija Resurrection is a riveting horror film from 2014, employing classic elements of the genre to concoct an engrossing, spook-infused cinematic experience. The film is directed by Israel Luna and stars Justin Armstrong, Gerald Crum, and Sally Greenland, all of whom deliver powerful performances that push the movie beyond traditional horror tropes and into deeper character-driven territory.

The story commences with a pair of friends—film enthusiast Justin (played by Justin Armstrong) and his mischievous pal Gerald (portrayed by Gerald Crum)—who are fascinated by the world of paranormal investigations, particularly the notorious Ouija board sessions. The duo decides to engage in a little bit of ‘innocent’ fun by using a supposed haunted Ouija board in the production of a low-budget horror movie so as to tap into the trend and make a quick buck out of it. They are joined by Justin's stern yet caring girlfriend, played by Sally Greenland, along with other assorted friends and associates, setting the stage for an old-fashioned haunted house movie—all under the guise of creating their low-budget horror flick.

As you might expect, their exploits go south swiftly. The group, initially skeptical, soon finds that the mystifying aura surrounding the Ouija board is not just a result of drug-stoked creativity or an overactive imagination. It is here that Ouija Resurrection truly begins as what started as a fun, seemingly harmless project soon transforms into a terrifying fight for survival. The movie does an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of escalation, with the tension and fear building steadily as the team's actions trigger increasingly eerie and inexplicable occurrences—even beyond the context of their mock-horror project.

Justin Armstrong brilliantly plays the embattled protagonist, struggling to maintain his skepticism amid the inexplicable phenomena. Simultaneously, Gerald Crum provides a much-needed levity, his devil-may-care attitude serving as the perfect foil to the ever-intensifying horror that envelops them. Sally Greenland's performance shines as the rational skeptic who finds her doubts eroding with each passing moment, amplifying the drama and terror of their predicimentary circumstances.

Moreover, the supporting cast is just as captivating. Each character is adequately fleshed out and contributes to the overall story while adding their unique version of fear to the mix, showing that Ouija Resurrection—a seemingly straightforward horror movie—is much more than meets the eye.

The film's pacing is spot on for a horror instant classic, slowly and methodically building tension before unveiling each scare, and the script skillfully balances the film's darker aspects with lighter moments of humor and camaraderie, introducing sufficient character development to make the audience genuinely care about the protagonists' fate. Not only does this help to fabricate an atmosphere of dread, but also paints an enhanced palette of fear, bleeding beyond the realm of cheap jump scares and landing into the category of psychological horror.

Director Israel Luna elevates the movie with his expert direction, turning the oft-neglected Ouija trope into a truly terrifying experience. Coupled with the chilling musical score by David Rosenblad and cinematography by Michael Gibson, Luna demonstrates his prowess in harnessing every frame to maximize the overall terror.

The end result is a unique horror film that takes a traditional concept and turns it on its head. Ouija Resurrection is a movie that is bound to spark your adrenaline not just with terrifying sequences, but also with its depth and its ability to delve into the psyche of its characters with every encounter.

Admittedly, Ouija Resurrection will most likely be best appreciated by those who are firm fans of the horror genre, but it's combination of engaging plot, tension-filled atmosphere, and strong character development should keep even the less horror-inclined viewers hooked. Prepare for an intense ride of fear, thrill, and revelations and remember: some games should never be played.