It's easy to find fault with *Ouija Shark*. It’s a film about a shark summoned from an Ouija board made on a shoestring budget. Everyone knows that premise is ridiculous—and the movie itself acknowledges it and leans into the absurdity. That’s what makes watching *Ouija Shark* genuinely entertaining. As director Brett Kelly explained during the Q&A, the goal was simply “made just for a laugh.” It's important to approach this film with an open mind and be willing to have some fun; otherwise, you might feel foolish taking it too seriously. A common question arises: why make *Ouija Shark*? The answer, according to Brett Kelly, is that the initial idea wasn’t his. Those familiar with Brett Kelly's previous work may recall *Jurassic Shark*, a 2012 action-thriller that became infamous online for its low quality and briefly held the title of lowest-rated film on IMDb. Kelly had intended it as an attempt to get hired by The Asylum, but his reaction to its reception was “what the fuck just happened?!” In response to criticism, Kelly joked he’d create something "even stupider," which three years later resulted in *Raiders of the Lost Shark*, directed under the pseudonym Scott Patrick. Wild Eye Releasing, the distribution company, wanted another shark film from Kelly. He initially considered *The Invisible Shark* as a way to provoke audiences, but Wild Eye suggested *Ouija Shark*. David A. Lloyd wrote the screenplay, and production proceeded. When *Ouija Shark* is finally available, how good will it be? It’s not going to dazzle viewers; the plot is basic, the characters are underdeveloped, the green screen effects are obvious, and the writing isn't exceptional. However, as Kelly pointed out, they were fully aware of what they were creating. The film doesn’t shy away from its outlandish concepts, aiming for a ludicrous tone—and it succeeds. *Ouija Shark* is funny, reminiscent of films like *The Room* or *The Fanatic*, but with the self-awareness to know how bad it is. Jon Migliore, who contributed to the screenplay and visual effects, delivers a standout performance as Jill’s Dad, adding a sorcerer element and stealing scenes—many of which were added at the last minute to extend the runtime. Despite its entertainment value and self-awareness, *Ouija Shark* suffers from some basic filmmaking shortcomings: underdeveloped characters, an unclear pattern of shark attacks, inconsistent camera work, and a slightly disappointing climax. These issues prevent it from achieving a higher grade. Here are a few facts revealed during the director Q&A: * *Ouija Shark* was filmed over five days with a budget of approximately $300. Due to scheduling conflicts, filming spanned three months instead of consecutive days. * The film was intended for release during Shark Week 2018 but remained unreleased until the trailer appeared on January 23rd, 2020—a surprise even to Brett Kelly. * A $200 shark hand puppet made from real enamel, originally destined for *Raiders of the Lost Shark*, was used in this film. * Filming took place in Ottawa and Hamilton (Ontario, Canada), primarily using a Canon T2i camera, with occasional use of a Canon T4i. * Brett Kelly stated that a sequel to *Ouija Shark* is “never gonna happen,” as he’s burned out on shark movies and plans to retire after his next film. * A noticeable orange juice stain appeared on the Ouija board prop during filming. * Kelly believes filmmakers need "thick skin" to make shark films, citing death threats received following *Jurassic Shark* and *Raiders of the Lost Shark*. * He suspects that people often pretend to dislike shark movies, enjoying the sense of superiority they feel when criticizing them. Ultimately, *Ouija Shark* fulfills its purpose. It’s a cheesy, low-budget shark movie with one of the best endings in recent years. Anyone looking for a good laugh should check it out when it releases on May 26, 2020.

Source on TMDB