Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is set in Los Angeles during 1967. The city serves as both a geographical location and a cultural backdrop, reflecting the era's popular fascination with spiritualism and the supernatural. This setting allows the story to explore themes of spiritual communication within a specific historical context.

• los angeles
• setting
• 1960s
• location

The year 1967 was a period of cultural shifts and counterculture experimentation in America. This era saw growing interest in spiritual practices and fascination with the otherworldly. The film uses this atmospheric backdrop to enhance its haunting narrative, reflecting a generation seeking answers beyond traditional beliefs.

• 1967
• time period
• 1960s
• counterculture
• spiritualism

The movie centers on two primary themes: the supernatural and family dynamics. The supernatural theme explores the dangers of meddling with the unknown through the haunted Ouija board, serving as a cautionary tale about spiritual communication. The family theme examines grief, loss, and the fragile bonds between a mother and her daughters as they face terrifying forces together.

• supernatural
• family
• grief
• ouija board
• themes

The film focuses on the bond between mother Alice Zander and her two daughters, Paulina and Doris. Their relationship is tested when grief and financial desperation lead them to fraudulently stage séances, ultimately unleashing real supernatural threats. The story shows how family love becomes both a protective force and a vulnerability exploited by dark forces.

• alice
• paulina
• doris
• family
• mother
• daughters

Alice Zander is a widowed mother portrayed by Elizabeth Reaser who runs a fraudulent séance business with her sisters to make ends meet. She is well-intentioned but misguided, driven by desperate need to provide for her family after her husband's death. Her love for her daughters, especially young Doris, leads her to explore dangerous supernatural paths despite her flaws.

• alice zander
• mother
• fortune teller
• motivation

Doris is the youngest daughter, portrayed by Lulu Wilson, who becomes unintentionally possessed by a malevolent spirit. Her innocence and deep desire to connect with her deceased father make her vulnerable to supernatural forces. Her character's transformation from a naive child to a conduit for evil drives much of the film's emotional weight.

• doris
• possession
• younger sister
• medium

Paulina, played by Annalise Basso, is the rebellious teenage sister experiencing typical coming-of-age struggles. She balances curiosity about the supernatural with defiance toward her mother's authority. Her character serves as a bridge between skepticism and belief, exploring darker implications of their supernatural experiences while grappling with identity and loss.

• paulina
• teenager
• sister
• rebellious

Father Tom, portrayed by Henry Thomas, is a compassionate priest who becomes involved after noticing Doris's disturbing behavior. He represents the struggle between faith and fear as supernatural events escalate. His character provides a rational counterpoint to the mounting chaos, attempting to offer guidance while confronting overwhelming dark forces.

• father tom
• priest
• faith
• spiritual guide

The film presents the Ouija board as a gateway to genuine malevolent forces, warning against meddling with the supernatural. The family's initial fraudulent scheme accidentally invites real evil into their home. The narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking contact with the spirit world, showing that some doors, once opened, cannot be closed.

• ouija board
• occult
• supernatural
• danger
• cautionary

Lina, portrayed by Lin Shaye, appears as the older version of one of the sisters, dealing with long-term trauma from the film's events. She represents resilience in the face of ongoing supernatural influence and hints at the cyclical nature of horror that continues beyond the main narrative. Her character suggests the trauma persists generations later.

• lina
• trauma
• older sister
• cycle of horror