I’m not so certain on how anyone could confuse the DTV film dubbed “Ouija 3: The Charlie Charlie Challenge” as the third film in the theatrically released “Ouija” series produced by Blumhouse. Then again, at least one review on IMDb seemingly thought “Krampus 2: The Devil Returns” was a real sequel to Universal’s multi million dollar “Krampus.” It really does make me believe anything is possible.
With that being said, let’s get the PSA out of the way. No, “Ouija 3” is not meant to be a sequel of “Ouija” (review here) and “Ouija: Origin of Evil” (review here). In actuality, it really isn’t a sequel to anything.
The actual name of the movie is “Charlie Charlie” and it comes from the same creators that produced “The Ouija Experiment” (review here) and “The Ouija Resurrection: Ouija Experiment 2” (review here). Seeing a chance to pivot, they released “Charlie Charlie” only to convert into “Ouija Experiment 3” without adding the ‘experiment’ in the title as they intended.
Want an even better kicker? Get this. There is no Ouija board for ‘Ouija 3: The Charlie Charlie Challenge.’ At the start of the movie there is a TV newscast where an anchor mentions the term ‘Ouija’ while describing the Charlie Charlie game. However, if you are hoping to see a glass-eye planchette and an alphabet board such as the one on the movie’s VOD and DVD gravestone cover, then get ready for disappointment.
Not that it makes a difference. You are in deep **** regardless if you purchase “Ouija 3: The Charlie Charlie Challenge.”
Like the “urban legend” states, five friends foolhardily conjuring up a demon is the premise for this movie and one character captures it perfectly saying, “This is how all bad horror movies start,” watching the film only makes you feel worse knowing you have already stated “this is how all bad horror movies start.” By now, irredeemably woeful performances by people from a cast who have no reason, or are ever likely again, to pick up an acting role and a emaciated plot outline along with exasperating music Richard Band’s old Full Moon and the theme for a Woody Woodpecker cartoon.
The ‘Charlie Charlie’ challenge is like Ouija and some fruit filled donuts, a gimmicky oversimplification of what the original concept actually entails. This ‘Charlie Charlie’ challenge transcends the online game and is a fusion out of Spanish games that uses two Yes/No options on paper, where two spinning pencils are brought to life once someone sneezes or shakes the table, to make contact with “the other side.” The game became somewhat popular in 2015 when some urban myths added the demon Charlie to the story, which instantly skyrocketed its popularity for reasons unbeknownst to me.
Regardless, a Halloween haunt owner whose speaking style resembles that of a sand-drowning wrestler thinks to himself that he should try to make his range of attractions more appealing by using local tragedies of two sorority girls dying from the ‘Charlie Charlie’ challenge. Unfortunately, the answer was more ‘gruesome’ than ‘thoughtful.’ For the low introductory fee of $20 guests are encouraged to partake in the bungled activity, an offer that could be easily done at home, but now with the advanced gimmicks such as plywood walls and 3 actors disguised as make-up which are bound to get your blood pumping.
The sum of five friends and their unique characteristics bookworm in glasses, a lazy girl, scatterbrained, and two overly simplified friends with little to no personality is equal to panicked pencil spinning and dreadfully accepting a challenge. The brain-numbing casting for Ouija 3: The Charlie Charlie Challenge is just as horrendous and supernatural as the “demon” that appears on screen, cut from a fog cellphone filter running toward off dying, helpless, and frightened victims which ultimately substitute for a plot. Every horror movie cliché is staggeringly and shamelessly beaten, yet there is a sad reality of chilling bodies and screaming of “aah” while being within the sole possession of the antagonist’s attack. Thealish encapsulated “demon” assumes the frightful identity of a plain handheld device.
The lifeless filler extends the movie just enough for a feature length. To bone in the parking lot is the delightful endeavor of subplot B where the middle aged couple appear to lose interest mid-performance. When the man is sadly unable to get an erection, they awkwardly argue over nothing and drive away like nothing ever happened. Subplot C involves a tired lawman at the scene and the unfortunate state that arises when it comes time for his second segment and the sheriff is similarly still napping, not even bothering to investigate rather to pretend that ever was side of the story baffling.
This movie is not worth my time. Consider one star out of ten to simply be a participation trophy. Ouija 3 is certainly a movie, so at least that part of the “mission” was accomplished. Somebody understood how to light a set and shoot with a camera, and, most importantly, how to get Amazon to sell this piece of trash and Redbox to rent it out. If only people knew how to write compelling scripts, create convincing characters, deliver legitimate scares, or craft comedy that doesn’t rely on racism, “Charlie Charlie” would have more to offer than a misleading Ouija archetype to draw an audience with.
To watch more movies like OUIJA 3: THE CHARLIE CHARLIE CHALLENGE (2016) visit hurawatch.