Universal has unveiled a new extended TV spot for Ouija: Origin of Evil, which is the Ouija prequel movie you forgot existed. Indeed, after years of development and even a potential blockbuster adaptation, Universal released a small-budget horror take called Ouija in 2014, produced by Jason Blum and Michael Bay. The film was panned by critics, but against a budget of just $5 million it grossed $103 million worldwide, half of which was from the domestic box office. And thus, the origin story for this origin story.

Bay and Blum return to produce this follow-up, which is a prequel set in 1965 Los Angeles that revolves around a widowed mother (Elizabeth Reaser) and her two daughters who run a séance scam business. The trio adds a new stunt to bolster their con, but unwittingly allow an evil spirit to take hold in the youngest daughter. As you can see in this TV spot, horror hijinks abound.

Mike Flanagan, the talented filmmaker behind the creepy 2013 pic Oculus and this year’s Hush, directs and co-wrote the film alongside Jeff Howard. It doesn’t look terrible, with some solid horror effects on display that are more interesting than your average shaky-cam possession stuff, but I’m still curious to see how many folks actually turn out for this follow-up. Did people even know this prequel was happening? Does a board game need an origin story? Life’s great mysteries…


Anyway, check out the TV spot below and sound off with your thoughts in the comments. The film also stars Annalise Basso, Lulu Wilson, and Henry Thomas. Ouija: Origin of Evil opens in theaters on October 21st.

Here’s the official synopsis for Ouija: Origin of Evil:

It was never just a game. Inviting audiences again into the lore of the spirit board, Ouija: Origin of Evil tells a terrifying new tale as the follow-up to 2014's sleeper hit that opened at number one. In 1965 Los Angeles, a widowed mother and her two daughters add a new stunt to bolster their séance scam business and unwittingly invite authentic evil into their home. When the youngest daughter is overtaken by the merciless spirit, this small family confronts unthinkable fears to save her and send her possessor back to the other side.

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Image via Universal

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