Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- foreboding
- lurid
- late night horror marathon
- cult movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film cheaply made, poorly written, derivative, and lacking effective tension, though Kathleen Wilhoite’s performance received some praise.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The Ouija board initiates contact with the impersonating evil spirit and drives the possession threat.
Linda is first contacted and harassed before the spirit seeks to possess her and return to the physical world.
Contemporary criticism repeatedly described the film as unintentionally humorous, lurid, fake, and overly earnest.
The party’s Ouija experiment and the warnings against using the board alone reflect popular fears surrounding casual occult experimentation.
Films like Witchboard, and why
The Evil Dead
supernatural possession horror centered on an occult object and escalating paranormal harassment
Poltergeist
1980s ghost horror combining domestic dread, spiritual intrusion, and practical-effects scares
The Exorcist
occult horror involving demonic forces, spiritual possession, and an increasingly endangered protagonist
Night of the Demons
campy supernatural horror with a cursed object, escalating menace, and cult appeal
Movie Details
- Director
- Kevin Tenney
- Release Date
- 1986-12-31
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (214)
Cast
- Todd Allen
- Tawny Kitaen
- Stephen Nichols
- Kathleen Wilhoite
- Burke Byrnes
- James W. Quinn
- Rose Marie
- Judy Tatum
- Gloria Hayes
- J.P. Luebsen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, Shudder, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, Midnight Pulp, Shudder Apple TV channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Witchboard about?
- A reckless Ouija-board séance unleashes an evil spirit determined to possess a young woman and regain physical form.
- What is Witchboard like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Witchboard as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Witchboard violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Witchboard as moderate.
- What did critics think of Witchboard?
- Critics generally found the film cheaply made, poorly written, derivative, and lacking effective tension, though Kathleen Wilhoite’s performance received some praise.
- Which films are like Witchboard?
- Films with a similar feel include The Evil Dead, Poltergeist, The Exorcist, and Night of the Demons.
- How long is Witchboard?
- Witchboard runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch Witchboard?
- In United States, Witchboard streams on Amazon Prime Video, Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, Shudder, Night Flight Plus, Shudder Amazon Channel, Screambox Amazon Channel, Midnight Pulp, Shudder Apple TV channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel.
