Ouija, a recently released horror movie, thoroughly disappoints audiences with its predictable plot and overused thematic techniques.

“I was not impressed by the movie at all. When I go see a scary movie, I want it to give me nightmares. Ouija only left me wishing I hadn’t wasted my time or money,” moviegoer Jeff Moore said.

The majority of the film centers around two sisters and their group of friends who, with the help of a cursed ouija board, attempt to contact their deceased friend Debbie. A flashback scene in the beginning of the movie shows viewers the symbolic essence of the ouija board and the role it played in Debbie’s gruesome suicide. The nature of the movie presented seemingly intriguing characteristics, but fell far short of the thrilling, hair-raising expectations. Although “jump-scares” remained abundant, suspense proved nearly absent, leaving watchers confused and virtually unphased as they exited the theater.

Along with Ouija’s unsuccessful attempts to terrorize the audience, the movie’s plot stands as imitative of previous films like Paranormal Activity and Insidious. The directors seemingly followed the simple scary movie blueprint that has become so common in the thriller film community. In addition, the ending of the movie summed up the unoriginal themes in a rushed and confusing fashion.

“At the end of the movie I was really confused. It’s like the directors didn’t know how to wrap up their movie, so they just kind of ended it. Overall, Ouija definitely had some scary parts, but the actual story wasn’t interesting at all. Maybe that’s why it was only a 90 minute movie,” viewer Abby Linch said.

All in all, Ouija provides inadequate entertainment, and leaves audiences questioning. Disappointment also comes as a result of the highly alluring movie trailers and advertisements that the film itself fails to live up to. Simply put, Ouija centers around a group of dull teenagers playing a board game. The actors, plot, and scare factor fall nothing short of generic.

The Chant’s grade: F