Abigail adds an enjoyable twist to the horror/thriller genre.
A group of would-be criminals kidnaps the 12-year-old daughter of a powerful underworld figure. Holding her for ransom in an isolated mansion, their plan starts to unravel when they discover their young captive is a bloodthirsty vampire.
Abigail is an outstanding movie that combines horror, thriller, and comedy genres very well. It has a compelling pace that is engaging to watch, thanks to its solid direction and writing. The comedy aspect of the movie is a mix of insults, stupidity, slapstick, and dark tones that are both light and dark in a nearly perfect timing and performance.
Abigail herself is a significant source of the laughs in her taunting and baiting, while the other characters each have their unique styles that complement each other. The characters themselves are intriguing, with some being tools and tropes meant to be fodder for Abigail, while others have deeper elements and stories that make them more than simple victims in a horror movie.
The crafting of an engaging story is even more impressive. It has heart, emotion, and some layering that constructs a more complex plot than I expected. Abigail’s trailers hide a richer narrative if given the chance, yet it doesn’t get in the way of the promised antics by the menagerie of clips presented in advertising.
The movie’s acting is impressive. Melissa Barrera is a great “team leader” whose performance smoothly transitions into the emotions she experiences as the night’s events unfold and the truth is revealed. Dan Stevens is always present, portraying pessimism, doubt, and snide commentary that is extremely enjoyable to watch as he snipes at every angle he can. My favorite part is his exchanges with Alisha Weir, as the powerful writing is brought to life by his ability to deliver an antagonistic or anti-hero feel that makes his behavior annoying yet fun in the grand scheme of the movie. Speaking of Alisha Weir, she is a remarkably talented young woman whose performance displays many elements that seem far out of reach for someone so young. She masters her emotional control, and her delivery is hauntingly beautiful and terrifying at various stages of the movie.
Abigail has a talent for bringing horror and thriller elements to life through her skillful use of setting. After a modern opening sequence, Abigail‘s scene shifts to a house that references the mansions and castles of past films. The halls are spooky, filled with shadows, cobwebs, and relics that convey abandonment and torture. Despite this, the halls and several rooms manage to provide enough light and composure to offer a sense of safety.
The setting of the story has a built-in lore that adds background stories to the characters and makes them more interesting. I particularly enjoyed the unique twists to the traditional vampire stereotypes, such as their powers, styles, and weaknesses. The writers and directors did a great job of balancing the new and old elements to create an entertaining piece.
Overall, Abigail was quite entertaining. Although the movie may not be the most original, it successfully mixed old and new elements to create a fun movie that combines horror and thriller into one. With a perfect balance of comedy, characters that stand out from the usual genre fodder, and some deeper storytelling, Abigail is a unique vampire movie that is worth watching. It is an enjoyable way to pass the time, and any vampire fan (except for the Twilight-level romance) will enjoy the new take on vampire powers. However, the movie moves a bit too fast and loses the surprise factor that could have been a nice touch. Also, it gets a little too gory and uses strong language at times, which is a bit absurd. Nevertheless, I feel the movie will be enjoyable for a wide audience, and if you can make it to the theater, you will have a fun time.
Abigail is now playing in thetaers.
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