Witchboard 1987
Directed by
Kevin Tenney
Made by
Cinema Group
Plot Summary
In the heart of a vibrant house party in Fairfield, California, Brandon Sinclair (actor) decides to bring out his Ouija board with the intentions of reconnecting with David, a spirit he and his ex-girlfriend Linda Brewster (actor) had previously communicated with. When Jim Morar (actor), Linda’s current boyfriend, dismisses the notion of David’s presence, the spirit reacts harshly by slashing Brandon’s car tires. The following day, undeterred, Linda turns to the board again in hopes of locating her lost engagement ring with David’s assistance.
Meanwhile, at the construction site where Jim works, tragedy strikes as his friend Lloyd (actor) dies in an accident involving falling drywall. Lieutenant Dewhurst (actor) questions Jim about the unfortunate incident, while Linda becomes more engrossed in her interactions with David, seeking comfort amidst her shaky relationship with Jim. However, as her connection to the spirit deepens, Linda begins to exhibit unsettling symptoms, including nausea.
As concerns regarding Linda’s potential pregnancy loom over them, Brandon decides to enlist the help of psychic medium Zarabeth Crawford (actor) to hold a séance and potentially banish David’s spirit. During this event, Zarabeth channels David, revealing himself to be the spirit of a ten-year-old boy, igniting feelings of maternal instinct within Linda and further strengthening her bond with the spirit.
However, calamity strikes when Zarabeth returns home only to be found brutally murdered, her body thrown through a window and impaled on a sundial. The next day, Brandon discovers the gruesome news and, suspecting David to be responsible, shares his fears with Jim, who remains skeptical of the wild claims made by his friend.
As Jim observes Brandon leave, a horrifying scene unfolds before him: Linda thrashing violently against a wall, leading to her unconscious state. At the hospital, doctors confirm the unsettling truth – Linda is not pregnant. Faced with this distressing news, Jim decides to team up with Brandon to unravel the mystery surrounding David. Their investigation reveals a shocking history: David was a ten-year-old boy who drowned in a nearby lake a decade earlier. In their attempts to communicate with David again, they uncover that Linda is being tormented by Carlos Malfeitor, an ominous spirit with a dark past.
Amidst all this chaos, disaster strikes at the dock when a precariously stacked pile of fishing barrels falls onto Jim, knocking him out. Brandon, too, meets a grim fate when he is attacked with a hatchet by Malfeitor. As Jim regains consciousness, he grieves his friend’s death and becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about Malfeitor. A dive into Carlos’ history reveals that he was a notorious axe murderer who met a violent end in his home back in 1930, eerily mirroring the home that Jim and Linda now share.
The situation escalates when Linda, just back from the hospital, suffers a brutal assault by Malfeitor’s malevolent spirit. The next day, Jim discovers their home in disarray, only to be attacked by a possessed Linda. On the scene arrives Dewhurst, who mistakenly accuses Jim of the horrific crimes, but in a moment of chaotic bravery, Linda uses a fire poker to strike him down.
At a critical moment, Jim takes aim at the Ouija board, the root of their torment, and fires, which sends the board hurtling through a window onto a passing car, signaling a turning point in their harrowing ordeal. In the aftermath, Jim and Linda emerge victorious, freed from Malfeitor’s influence, and decide to start afresh together, culminating in their marriage.
However, as they begin to return to their normal lives, a chilling scene unfolds when their landlady, Mrs. Moses (actor), cleaning their house with her granddaughter, discovers the enigmatic board. Curious about its powers, she muses aloud, and as her eyes fall upon the planchette, it inexplicably shifts to spell out “yes,” indicating that Malfeitor’s ominous presence might still linger, casting a long shadow over their future.
Timeline
The Ouija Board is Introduced
During a lively house party in Fairfield, California, Brandon Sinclair decides to reconnect with a spirit named David using a Ouija board. This was an attempt to rekindle his connection with the supernatural alongside his ex-girlfriend, Linda Brewster.
Tires Slashed
Jim Morar, Linda's current boyfriend, dismisses the idea of David's presence, setting off a chain of supernatural events. The spirit reacts violently by slashing the tires of Brandon's car, signaling the dark turn that their lifestyle is about to take.
Linda's Search for the Lost Ring
Despite the earlier chaos, Linda seeks the Ouija board once more, hoping to locate her lost engagement ring with the help of David. This decision marks the beginning of her descent into a deeper connection with the spirit world.
Tragedy Strikes at the Construction Site
Meanwhile, at Jim's workplace, disaster unfolds as his co-worker Lloyd dies in a fall due to an accident involving drywall. This incident adds to Jim's growing stress and impacts his already shaky relationship with Linda.
Linda's Unsettling Symptoms
As Linda continues to reach out to David, she starts to experience disturbing symptoms, such as nausea and heightened emotional turmoil. This raises alarm among those around her, hinting at the dangerous influence of the spirit.
The Séance with Zarabeth
Desperate to rid themselves of David's spirit, Brandon consults psychic medium Zarabeth Crawford to conduct a séance. During this event, David's true identity as a ten-year-old boy is revealed, inadvertently deepening Linda's bond with him.
Zarabeth's Murder
Tragedy strikes again when Zarabeth is found murdered at her home, her body brutally discarded. Brandon believes that David is behind this horrific act, raising the stakes of the supernatural occurrences stemming from the Ouija board.
Linda's Disturbing Episode
Jim witnesses a shocking scene when Linda thrashes violently against a wall, leaving her in an unconscious state. At the hospital, doctors confirm that she is not pregnant, amplifying the tension and confusion within their relationship.
Uncovering David's Past
Jim and Brandon delve into David's backstory, learning that he drowned in a nearby lake a decade prior. Their investigation evolves into a quest to sever Linda's painful connection to David and to confront the dark spirit that haunts her.
Carlos Malfeitor Enters the Scene
As they attempt to communicate with David again, the duo uncovers that Linda is actually being tormented by Carlos Malfeitor, a malevolent spirit linked to a violent history. This revelation introduces an even greater threat into their lives.
Jim's Near-Death Experience
A pile of fishing barrels collapses at the dock, leaving Jim unconscious from a vicious accident. This near-death experience fuels his determination to confront the supernatural forces challenging his and Linda's safety.
Brandon's Attack
In a tragic turn of events, Brandon is brutally attacked with a hatchet by Malfeitor, marking a climactic confrontation with evil. This loss weighs heavily on Jim as he mourns his friend's death amid the chaos.
Linda's Possession
Returning from the hospital, Linda falls victim to a vicious assault from Malfeitor's spirit. Jim is left to face the terrifying reality of Linda being possessed, battling both her and his own fears in a desperate fight for survival.
The Fire Poker Incident
In a moment of frantic chaos, Linda uses a fire poker to strike down Lieutenant Dewhurst, who mistakenly accuses Jim of being the perpetrator of recent crimes. This act showcases the desperate measures they are forced to take against the dark forces at play.
Freedom from Malfeitor
In a final act of bravery and desperation, Jim destroys the Ouija board, severing the connection to their turmoil. Following this pivotal moment, Jim and Linda emerge relieved yet forever changed, deciding to start anew and eventually marry, despite the lingering shadows of their past.
The Landlady's Discovery
As Jim and Linda attempt to return to their normal lives, their landlady, Mrs. Moses, finds the Ouija board while cleaning the house. Her curiosity triggers an ominous response from the board, suggesting that the evil spirit's influence might not be entirely vanquished.
Characters
Brandon Sinclair
Brandon is a determined individual who initially seeks to reconnect with a spirit from the past. His unwitting actions lead to escalating supernatural events, reflecting both bravery and naivety. As he loses friends, his focus shifts to solving the mysteries surrounding the spirit and protecting those he cares for.
Linda Brewster
Linda is caught in a tumultuous emotional state, torn between the spirit's allure and her relationship with Jim. Her experience with David leads to a transformation that impacts her sanity and relationships. As a character, she embodies fragility and strength as she confronts the dark forces surrounding her.
Jim Morar
Jim is depicted as skeptical but ultimately becomes a reluctant hero in the face of danger. His evolving relationship with Linda showcases trust and betrayal. As the stakes rise, he transitions from a passive observer to a proactive seeker of the truth.
Zarabeth Crawford
Zarabeth serves as the psychic medium who bridges the living with the deceased. Her presence unravels more than just communication with spirits; she represents the dangers of crossing boundaries that should remain untouched. Her tragic fate adds mystery and urgency to the narrative.
Carlos Malfeitor
Carlos is the central antagonist, a malevolent spirit tied to a dark past that wreaks havoc on the living. His influence brings chaos and serves as a reminder of unresolved pain that can manifest in terrifying ways. His background adds depth to the horror elements of the film.
Setting
Time period
The movie does not specify a particular time period but unfolds in a contemporary setting. The issues of relationships, loss, and supernatural occurrences resonate with modern themes, providing a relatable context for viewers.
Location
Fairfield, California
Fairfield, California, is a vibrant community known for its family-friendly environment and abundance of outdoor activities. The nearby lakes and construction sites serve as critical backdrops for the unfolding supernatural events in the film, making the location feel both familiar and eerie.
Themes
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Supernatural
The theme of the supernatural is central to the film, with the Ouija board serving as the conduit for communication with spirits. It explores the consequences of meddling with the unknown, as characters face both benign and malevolent entities. As the information unfolds, the danger of spiritual connections becomes increasingly evident.
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Relationships
The film delves into the complexities of human relationships, particularly focusing on Linda's struggle between her past feelings for Brandon and her present with Jim. As supernatural events intensify, the nature of trust and commitment is tested, highlighting how love can be both a source of strength and vulnerability.
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Death
Death and its aftermath are pervasive themes throughout the story, from the tragic demise of characters to the haunting presence of spirits. The film explores how unresolved tragedies impact the living and examines the idea of finding closure in the wake of loss.
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