Ouija Room AKA Haunting Inside (2019)
After the death of their parents, aspiring novelist Sammy (John Bradley Hambrick) takes care of his autistic sister Sylvia (Joni Durian). Sylvia has severe agoraphobia and a host of other issues, so her brother brings her board games to help her stay calm and focused. Unfortunately, a Ouija Board (dun dun dun!) is mixed in among the stack of games and supernatural hijinks ensue.
Sylvia is visited by three spirits, though none of which are Christmas-related. They teach her how to cook and how to play some new games. But it isn’t long before these games take a dark turn causing Sylvia and Sammy’s happy life together to unravel. Are the spirits trying to help Sammy or do they have ulterior motives? I won’t tell!
Ouija Room is a very impressive indie horror film but that’s not too surprising since director Henrique Cuoto has been making films since the mid-2000s. The script by Daniel Wilder is funny, creepy, and heartfelt. I dig the ominous score by composer Ray Mattis which contributes to the overall atmosphere of tension and dread that begins to build almost immediately. The film also has excellent pacing and energy to spare on its side.
The cast is committed to their roles and turn in consistent performances. Joni Durian is excellent as Sylvia. She really carries the movie and deftly portrays a sympathetic character without being schmaltzy. Hambrick is also very good as Sammy, a dude who loves his sister but is barely holding it together. Dear reader, keeping a bottle of mystery booze and a frickin’ Glock within arm’s reach of your bed are kinda ill-advised even at the best of times. Just sayin’.
“Spirits, do you like chalk?”