Witchboard

Witchboard, an American supernatural horror film from the mid-80s directed by Kevin S. Tenney and featuring Todd Allen, Tawny Kitaen and Stephen Nichols, offers an eerie, atmospheric journey into the paranormal universe of Ouija boards. It delivers a haunting narrative that stems from meddling with the mystical forces of the spirit world and combines elements of terror, suspense, and romance to bring a well-knitted storyline to the audience.

The movie hosts a unique amalgamation of budding talents. Todd Allen stars as Jim Morar, a ruggedly handsome, blue-collar worker who possesses an underlying sense of practicality and skepticism, providing the character with a solid counterfoil for the supernatural occurrences that define the film. Tawny Kitaen brings to life the character of Linda Brewster, a beautiful, compassionate woman enthralled by the idea of contacting spirits from beyond the veil. Struggling between her skeptical boyfriend and her fascination for the supernatural, Kitaen portrays a captivating character that is both vulnerable and strenuous.

Caught between these two strong-willed characters is the charming and charismatic Brandon Sinclair, played by Stephen Nichols. Brandon, an individual intrigued and obsessed by the metaphysical, introduces the Ouija board into their lives. He firmly believes in the power of the occult and carries the courage to venture into the forbidden territories of contacting spirits.

Witchboard starts with a simple house party gathering where Brandon decides to showcase the workings of the Ouija board to entertain the guests. He predicts it as a harmless tool; however, the board harbors immensely more power than he anticipates. What they initially dismiss as a gimmick, soon catapults them into a whirlwind of chilling supernatural experiences.

The movie spirals as Linda, intrigued by a spirit she contacted during the party, continues to use the board in the absence of Brandon. Unaware of the dangers that lie ahead, she unknowingly opens a doorway to a malevolent spirit that begins to exert a powerful and terrifying influence over her. As strange occurrences start to escalate in their lives, the narrative begins to focus on the struggle of these ordinary individuals trapped in an extraordinary situation.

As Linda’s relationship with the entity grows stronger, Jim and Brandon, once foes, must put their rivalry aside and work to unravel the enigma of the disturbing events. The movie showcases their efforts to rescue Linda while exploring the sensational realm of suspense and horror. They must uncover the dark secrets of the malicious entity and find a way to put an end to the supernatural terror they've unwittingly released.

The director, Kevin S. Tenney, implements a refreshing take on horror by artfully weaving a strong narrative structure complete with compelling characters and suspenseful moments. The cinematographer, Roy H. Wagner, does justice to the film's tone by employing effectively eerie shadows and unsettling camera angles to encapsulate the audience into a creepy, riveting atmosphere. The skillful operating of light and space intensifies the sense of dread and suspense, ultimately transporting the audience to the center of the supernatural happenings.

Witchboard deserves praise for its careful attention to the authentic depiction of a Ouija board's operation and the emphasis on the board's rules, both of which bolster the movie’s credibility and horror factor. Furthermore, the film’s soundtrack, compiled by Dennis Michael Tenney, amplifies the suspense with its brooding synthesizer melodies punctuating each escalation of danger.

At its core, Witchboard is a compelling supernatural mystery that melds the traditional elements of horror with sensational suspense and a robust narrative. Its premise of delving into the unknown, confrontation with malevolent entities, and the struggle to overcome aims to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

While the 1986 film Witchboard resonates with the standard formula of a horror genre, it still manages to grip its audience using charming character portrayals, clever storytelling, effective scares, and an atmospheric cinematography that beautifully showcases the 80s horror era. It serves as a memorable representation of the genre during the time and holds an enduring appeal for classic horror enthusiasts.