It wouldn’t be summer without a haunted horror flick, and High Octane Pictures is filling that void with Ouija Seance: The Final Game. The collaboration between Malandrino Film and Morfeo Film is hitting digital outlets on July 3rd and DVD on August 3rd. Written, produced and edited by Andrea Mugnaini, Ouija Seance: The Final Game follows a group of friends on a weekend getaway in hopes of exploring one of their own’s recently inherited mansion. During the night, the group discovers an ouija board in the attic and awaken an evil entity from decades past. As the paranormal activity intensifies, the group is forced to face their worst fears if they hope to seal the evil away again and escape the walls of the haunted mansion. The film stars Katharine Sporrer, Holly Mumford, Alan Cappelli Goetz, Andrea Fachinetti and Gianfranco QUero. This is the type of review where I’m on the fence in my opinion, so let me just type this one out and see where it goes!
Ouija Seance: The Final Game is rather predictable, with a story that we’ve seen many times before. Kids go to a house in the woods. Kids find a ouija board. Kids get tormented. Kids die. Climax. I’m not sure if this movie has any content that makes it stand out from other titles in its category, but it does have a lot going for it in terms of quality. It’s sensual, suspenseful and spooky. The script seemingly pays homage to 1980’s classics, even going as far as to incorporate the one-eyed creepy stranger spouting messages of doom. And, both to its help and harm, the script is rather steady and dramatic. While this, of course, lowers the intensity of the horror elements, it’s a story that allows you to become involved, as the characters develop and you wonder along with them, “who can you trust?” The action and horror doesn’t really kick off until about the 55 minute mark; so while a great climax is delivered, I fear the audience may struggle to pay attention until that point.
As far as production goes, Ouija Seance: The Final Game has amazing camera work. Props to director Andrea Mugnaini, cinematographer Matteo Castelli and everyone else who worked in this department…because the movie is clear, clean and cohesive. I marveled at some of the breathtaking visuals that were created during this film; primarily the moments I dubbed “tub in the woods,” “wind-chime sunrise” and “phone off the hook.” All areas were on point here, but I have to say the camera work was the best department and it was top notch. The acting was perfectly fine, even better than average, although there wasn’t a performance that moved me or was memorable. Still, editor Arzu Volkan was able to piece this baby into a neat little package that looks nice and sounds nice. It’s no surprise that High Octane Pictures picked up Ouija Seance: The Final Game for digital distribution on July 3rd. It’s pretty professionally done.
Where does this leave me? I’m still not sure. I wish I could give Ouija Seance: The Final Game a high score, but I have to admit that it was underwhelming in some areas, especially the horror aspects. Although it’s produced great, filmed great and features capable performances, I do have to grade it as a horror film…and it was slightly under the mark. I do think it deserves to be seen, and diehard paranormal activity fans is the crowd I would recommend this to the most. If a spooky ghoul summoned by a ouija board in a large house in the woods is your thing, no matter if you’ve seen similar stories before, then Ouija Seance: The Final Game could be the movie for you. Grab your own board, grab a beer, turn up the air conditioning and enjoy! Just don’t expect anything too groundbreaking. Final Score: 5.5 out of 10.
