There are only a few examples in film and TV where the sequel (or prequel) is better than the original. Sequels are always criticized heavily and compared to their predecessors. They're often rushed to capitalize on hype, and it can be hard to recapture the effect of something special.
The horror genre is one that is infamous for its big franchises and soulless sequels. Something about the stories within horror allow for these big worlds and expansions. The tropes make it easy to develop cookie-cutter sequels and prequels. And almost always, these sequels and prequels are big failures. It's pretty much expected at this point that anything with a franchise drastically loses its quality. Look at A Nightmare on Elm Street or Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Enter director Mike Flanagan to completely change the game, and become the exception to the rule. In 2016 he took on a prequel to one of the most forgettable horror movies of the 2010s and actually made it good. What was a bland and soulless teen scream story that didn't make much sense, became something intense and emotional with a lot of really scary elements. It's a strong portrayal of his directorial style and has a lot of his signature features, making it a really interesting watch for someone who has knowledge of his work. When watching Ouija back-to-back with its prequel, Flanagan's Ouija: Origin of Evil, it's hard to believe they take place in the same cinematic universe.
The story of the original Ouija, not directed by Mike Flanagan but by Stiles White, is a very simple one. A teenage girl plays with a Ouija board on her own in her house and ends up dying that night. It's ruled as a suicide but her friends don't believe it, so they begin to investigate what they believe are sinister forces in her home. This movie is kind of terrible. None of the characters or events are memorable and it just feels very cheesy and low stakes. It's all very soulless.
One of the highlights of the film is Lin Shaye. Horror fans will absolutely recognize her, she's in so many iconic horror movies. Though her part in Ouija is small, it makes an impact. Luckily, this is the character that Flanagan's Ouija: Origin of Evil focuses on. The prequel is a flashback to 1967. It features Lin Shaye's character Lina from Ouija as a teenager living with her widowed mom and younger sister, Doris. Those who saw Ouija will know what story this film is going to tell because it's a central part of the original. That being said, it's not necessary to sit through the original to enjoy the prequel. It stands very well on its own.
While the characters in Ouija felt completely bland and were therefore difficult to care about, the central family in the prequel are all beautifully fleshed out. Lina serves somewhat as the main character because viewers really see this all play out from her perspective, but it's easy to get invested in both her mom and younger sister as well. They all have issues that people can relate to, whether it's their mother doing what she can and struggling as a single mom or the younger sister dealing with bullies at school on top of the loss of her father. They're really written to be likable and very genuine, which is somewhat contradictory as they're running a scam business at the beginning of the story. Those who do know what's going to happen to the family will still care. It doesn't feel low stakes at all.
Ouija: Origin of Evil is also absolutely beautiful visually. It completely nails the setting of the 60s, and the spooky aesthetic is perfect. The set is detailed perfectly, as are the costumes as well as hair and makeup. Technically it's just a big achievement. And to go along with that, the scares are awesome. There are some audio jumpscares but a lot of it is completely visual and atmospheric. There are reveals that are played out in a creepy and unsettling way, without doing anything too elaborate at all. Doris the creepy child is played perfectly and the story goes places that are brave, but they certainly pay off. For horror fans, this will be really satisfying.
This film was clearly made by someone who knows and loves horror movies, especially ghost stories, and it's just done really well. Those who see this before the original film will be surprised by how much better it actually is, making it all the more impressive. These days, Mike Flanagan is a household name in the genre and this movie is a perfect example as to why. It might not be perfect, but it's fantastic for what it is and will be worth a watch to anyone who is a fan of his other works.