“Ouija,” released in 2014, is a supernatural horror film directed by Stiles White in his directorial debut. Produced by Jason Blum, Michael Bay, Andrew Form, Bradley Fuller, and Bennett Schneir, and written by Juliet Snowden, the film presents a gripping tale that delves into the themes of communication with the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ and the consequences of tampering with forces beyond our understanding. Combining suspense, psychological tension, and elements of classic horror, “Ouija” aims to capture the fears that come with the unknown.

The film opens with a chilling prologue that sets the tone for the haunting narrative. We meet a young girl, Debbie, who mysteriously dies under unexplained circumstances. Her friends—Laine (Olivia Cooke), her boyfriend, and a few others—are left grappling with grief and confusion. In an attempt to connect with Debbie and uncover the truth behind her death, Laine and her friends decide to use a Ouija board, a tool that is traditionally ᴀssociated with communicating with spirits. This decision sets in motion a series of terrifying events that spiral out of their control.

The use of the Ouija board serves as both a plot device and a symbol of curiosity and danger. It represents the allure of the supernatural and the often perilous consequences of seeking knowledge that is meant to remain hidden. As the group begins to interact with the board, they unwittingly awaken a dark enтιтy that begins to torment them. This theme of unintended consequences is a central motif throughout the film, emphasizing the idea that some things are better left undiscovered.

Olivia Cooke’s performance as Laine is a standout, portraying a character who transitions from skepticism to terror as she confronts the horrifying reality of the supernatural. Cooke effectively captures Laine’s emotional turmoil, showcasing her vulnerability as she grapples with the loss of her friend and the increasingly sinister events that unfold. The supporting cast, including Daren Kagasoff, Douglas Smith, and Bianca Santos, contribute to the film’s tension, each character facing their own challenges as they deal with the malevolent force they have unleashed.

One of the film’s notable strengths is its atmosphere. The cinematography by Daniel Pearl creates a visually haunting experience, utilizing dim lighting and eerie settings to enhance the sense of dread. The film’s production design effectively captures the essence of a haunted environment, filled with shadows and unsettling imagery that keep viewers on edge. These visual elements are complemented by a tense score, which amplifies the suspense and foreboding that permeates the narrative.

As the story progresses, the film reveals the origins of the dark enтιтy that has been awakened. This backstory adds depth to the plot and helps explain the motivations behind the supernatural occurrences. The narrative weaves together elements of tragedy, revenge, and the quest for closure, presenting the enтιтy as a manifestation of unresolved pain and suffering. This complexity elevates the horror from mere jump scares to a more psychological exploration of grief and the past.

Despite its intentions, “Ouija” has received mixed reviews, with some critics pointing to its reliance on horror tropes and predictable plot twists. While the film follows a familiar formula—teenagers dabbling in the supernatural and facing dire consequences—it manages to deliver moments of genuine tension and fright. The jump scares, while sometimes formulaic, are effective in creating a thrilling experience that keeps audiences engaged.

The film also raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of death and the afterlife. As the characters confront their fears and the consequences of their actions, they are forced to grapple with the idea that communication with the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ may not always bring closure, but rather, can open doors to further chaos. This exploration of the unknown taps into deep-seated fears that many people share, making the film resonate on a psychological level.

In conclusion, “Ouija” is a supernatural horror film that combines elements of suspense, tragedy, and psychological tension to create an engaging narrative. Directed by Stiles White, the film effectively explores the dangers of seeking knowledge that is meant to remain hidden. Through strong performances, atmospheric visuals, and a haunting score, “Ouija” invites viewers to confront their fears of the unknown and the consequences of their choices. While it may not break new ground in the horror genre, it serves as a chilling reminder of the perils of tampering with forces beyond our comprehension. With its blend of traditional horror elements and a focus on emotional depth, “Ouija” ultimately leaves audiences pondering the mysteries that lie beyond the veil of life and death

Legend of Retired Cop Against Drug Empire || The Last Stand

Master Thief: Parker’s Revenge

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.

Work To World

Ouija (2014)

Legend of Retired Cop Against Drug Empire || The Last Stand

Master Thief: Parker’s Revenge

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Legend of Retired Cop Against Drug Empire || The Last Stand

Master Thief: Parker’s Revenge

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

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