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Article: The Role of Ouija Boards in Pop Culture

The Role of Ouija Boards in Pop Culture - WICCSTAR
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The Role of Ouija Boards in Pop Culture

People all over the world have been fascinated by Ouija boards for a long time. These boards are often seen as strange and controversial ways to talk to the spirit world. Some people think of them as safe fun, while others think they're a way to reach the unknown. Ouija boards have been a big part of pop culture, showing up in movies, books, and TV shows. This is true no matter what your views are. The board has become more well-known because of these appearances, and it has also become a sign of the supernatural. This article will talk about the different ways that Ouija boards have been displayed in pop culture and how they have affected people over time.

Ouija Boards in Movies

Movies that show Ouija boards are one of the most well-known ways they've become part of pop culture. In horror movies, Ouija boards have been used as important story devices to build tension, fear, and a sense of the unknown.

1. The Exorcist (1973)

Perhaps the most famous movie use of a Ouija board is in The Exorcist, which came out in 1973. Based on William Peter Blatty's book of the same name, the movie is about a girl named Regan who is possessed by a devil after using a Ouija board to talk to a spirit she calls "Captain Howdy." At first, the game seems peaceful, but it quickly turns scary, with one of the scariest scenes of demon possession ever shown on TV.

The Exorcist not only made the Ouija board more well-known, but it also made people think of evil spirits when they saw it. The movie's portrayal of the board as a way to get control made people even more afraid and suspicious of using it.

2. Ouija (2014) and Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

Because of how well The Exorcist did, many other horror movies have used Ouija boards as key plot devices. For example, the movie Ouija came out in 2014, and in 2016 there was a spinoff called Ouija: Origin of Evil. These movies are about a group of friends who use a Ouija board and accidentally call up a bad ghost.

While Ouija got mixed reviews, its predecessor, Ouija: Origin of Evil, was praised for having a creepy mood and going into more detail about the board's dark past. There was more proof in the movies that Ouija boards are not just fun toys, but also dangerous tools that can bring evil into the world.

3. Paranormal Activity series (from 2007 to 2015)

A Ouija board plays a major part in the Paranormal Activity series, which is known for its found-footage style and focus on mysterious events. In the 2007 movie Paranormal Activity, the main characters try to talk to the ghost that lives in their house using a Ouija board, but it only makes things scarier.

With the board being used in this way, the series adds to its realistic and scary feel. The movie plays on people's fears of the unknown and the bad things that can happen when they mess with the supernatural by using a Ouija board.

Ouija Boards in Books

In fiction, too, Ouija boards play a big role. They are often used as story devices to explore themes of the mysterious, talking to the dead, and what happens when you follow your interest.

1. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty (1971)

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty is one of the most well-known books that uses a Ouija board, as we already said. The book's scary descriptions of possession and the risks of using a Ouija board captured readers and added to the board's scary image.

In writing, Ouija boards can be used to explore deep topics like faith, the nature of evil, and the fragile nature of the human mind. Blatty's work is a great example of this. Because of how well the book did, other authors have used Ouija boards in their own stories.

2. Witchboard by Gary Brandner (1987)

Another important book by Gary Brandner that has a Ouija board as a core theme is Witchboard. The story is about a group of friends who become crazy about a Ouija board, which causes a lot of bad things to happen. The book talks about how using the board can change your mind and the idea that it can let evil spirits in.

Witchboard is a famous example of how Ouija boards can be used in fiction to show the darker side of people and the risks that might come with exploring the supernatural.

3. The Witching Hour by Anne Rice (1990)

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice is the first book in her Lives of the Mayfair Witches series. It uses a Ouija board to help the characters talk to the mysterious forces that are at play. The book is very dark and has a lot of information about the occult. The Ouija board is used as a metaphor for the thin line between the living and the dead.

Rice's writing shows that Ouija boards can be used in fiction for more than just calling up ghosts. They can also be used to explore the characters' fears, wants, and links to the supernatural.

Ouija Boards in TV Shows

The Ouija board has also been used as a strong story device on TV, which has a large audience and can explore themes over many shows or seasons.

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003)

Ouija boards are used a lot on the popular TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where the characters try to talk to ghosts or figure out what's going on with strange events. The Ouija board is a tool that fits easily into the show's world of vampires, demons, and magic. The show is known for its mix of scary, funny, and dramatic teen drama.

In one episode, the players try to talk to a ghost using a Ouija board, but all they get is a vague message about what will happen in the future. The board is used as a story device to add to the mysterious mystery of the show and to show how dangerous it is to mess with the unknown.

2. Supernatural (from 2005 to 2020)

In some parts of the TV show Supernatural, which follows the Winchester brothers as they hunt demons, ghosts, and other monsters, Ouija boards are used. People in the story often use the board to talk to ghosts, get information, or ask for help from the other side.

The way the show shows Ouija boards fits with its general theme of looking into the supernatural and what happens when you connect with it. The board connects the living and the dead, and when it is used, bad things often happen or scary signs are given.

3. American Horror Story (2011-present)

American Horror Story is an anthology show known for its scary and weird stories. Ouija boards have been used in several seasons. For example, in American Horror Story: Coven, the characters use a Ouija board to talk to ghosts, which has scary results.

The show's use of the Ouija board shows how flexible it is as a plot device. The board adds a sense of danger and tension to the story, whether it's used to call on angry ghosts or find hidden secrets. The Ouija board's portrayal in American Horror Story adds to its image as a dangerous tool that can cause chaos if not used properly.

How Ouija Boards Have Changed Pop Culture Forever

The many times that Ouija boards have been shown in movies, books, and TV shows has had a huge effect on how people think about them. The board game was first sold as a casual game, but its use in pop culture has turned it into a sign of the mysterious and the unknown. People now think of it as a sign of danger, interest, and the thin line between the living and the dead.

For many, the Ouija board is the final test of how much they believe in ghosts and other supernatural things. The fact that it shows up in pop culture has added to its mystery, making it interesting to both followers and doubters. The Ouija board's place in pop culture means that it will continue to fascinate and scare people for years to come, whether it's seen as a safe game or a way to talk to ghosts.

In conclusion


Ouija boards have had a big impact on how we think about and are interested in the supernatural. Ouija boards have become a lasting sign of the unknown, thanks to their famous roles in movies like "The Exorcist" and their use as plot devices in books and TV shows. The Ouija board is a strong and long-lasting part of our cultural fantasy because it is used in movies and TV shows to entertain and make us think about the lines between the real and the strange.

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