MOVIE REVIEWS

I don't know that I've heard Tchaikovsky ever used so menacingly before, but here his "Swan Lake" and some deadly pas seul are used to good effect! A group of kidnappers has been assembled by "Lambert" (Giancarlo Esposito) to kidnap the daughter of a wealthy man. They are to whisk her away to a remote, quite spooky, manor house where she is to be held hostage til dad stumps up $50m. Thing is, this butter-wouldn't-melt little girl has a secret even bigger than most of the rather disparate gang of folks who used their complementary skills to snatch her. These folks are led by "Frank" (Dan Stevens) and it's "Joey" (Melissa Barrera) who is left to keep an eye on the young "Abigail" (Alisha Weir). Quite quickly we realise that it's not her who is trapped in their web, but vice-versa and what now ensues sees quite a fun series of daft and gruesome encounters as their gang gradually dwindles and they have to fight for their lives! It runs out of steam a bit towards the ending - which seems to happen quite a few times, but a solid cast including the entertaining Kevin Durand and Kathryn Newton, some quickly paced direction and some pithy writing keeps most of this moving along with the diverse range of characters (and intellects) making for quite an enjoyable romp in a sort of "Cluedo" with loads of ketchup style. Who knew red onions were so versatile?

Abigail isn't exactly a novel idea but its executed convincingly enough to offer up a moderately watchable, horror, experience. In spite of its grounding in vampiric horror, I didn't find Abigail especially frightening. There's no sense of creeping menace and frankly, that's a shame. It does "have a go", so to speak, at first but never really takes it far enough or handles the material subtly enough, to pull it off. Instead, Abigail is more in line with you standard vampire fare, where for the majority of the film you know who and what, you are dealing with. This tends to move the narrative and exposition, more towards a bloody action framework. This film is not unwatchable, don't get me wrong. The acting is decent, the setting appropriately creepy and the horror sequences are polished. That said, I did find myself feeling like I'd seen it all before, in one sense or another.The ending fizzes when it could have "popped", too. In summary, Abigail's handling feels like a missed opportunity to do something far more terrifying and creepily menacing, than what we get with the actual final product. Not bad but nothing special.

Boy did this one catch me by surprise! I absolutely loved watching <em>'Abigail'</em>! An unexpected gem! I knew nothing pre-watch aside from that it was classed, on Wikipedia at least, as horror, so was simply expecting the usual fare à la <em>'Imaginary'</em> and/or <em>'Immaculate'</em> (former bad, latter good fwiw). Clearly, what I in fact saw knocked my socks off! I had a tremendous amount of fun with every second of this, it's unsettling as it is amusing... every department did a grand job! Not even sure where to start with my list of many positives. Alisha Weir is the star of the whole thing, what an utterly brilliant performance from the youngster - so damn convincing, particularly early on. Melissa Barrera is also outstanding, I previously found her fairly forgettable in <em>'Scream'</em> but here I undeniably liked watching her act. Dan Stevens (another I've found 'meh' elsewhere) impresses as well, as does Kathryn Newton. Heck, everyone onscreen is great. I love how they showed the bloody (and the blood in general) body implosions, great use of (I assume) practical and special effects - proper thrilled me each time. I was happy to see the film get straight into the plot too, no messing about. It does a good job after that opening portion in setting up the characters before the mess truly hits the fan, which is when the movie seriously clicks into gear. Everything from that point on was an absolute blast - quite literally, eh?! Going back to that opening few scenes, I was actually a touch concerned when it went from the initial fun escape to a one-location dynamic; I thought that was going to slow it down and make it more in keeping with the vibes of those two earlier 2024 movies that I noted at the top of my review. However, each moment in that one location is fantastic to watch, I have zero complaints. It's all paced to perfection! Almost stunned at how much I enjoyed this, probably because I wasn't expecting anything from it. Looking at my ratings I've just now realised that I weirdly haven't got a favourite horror movie. According to the Letterboxd sort, I haven't even rated any films from this genre at anything above 9/10 - and even with that score it's only nine flicks, none of which I strongly adore. An unnoticed blind spot in my taste is evidently no longer. The reviews for this seem generally favourable (at worst), which is nice to see. I've seen many online in agreement with me, what a ride! Not that it needs stating, but I'd highly recommend you check this one out!

Abigail is a fun, action-driven vampire movie that seamlessly blends good comedy with its supernatural elements and violence. The film offers a delightful mix of thrills and humor, making for an enjoyable viewing experience. The standout performances in the film elevate its overall impact. Dan Stevens brings a charismatic presence to his role, delivering both action and comedic moments with ease. Melissa Barrera also shines, adding depth to her character with a nuanced performance. However, it is Alisha Weir as the young vampire Abigail who truly steals the show. Her portrayal is both endearing and fierce, capturing the complexities of a young vampire navigating a chaotic world. It is always a pleasure to see Giancarlo Esposito on screen, and his role in Abigail is no exception. He brings a gravitas to the film that balances the lighter, more chaotic elements. I would have preferred more of his character in the film. The rest of the cast is a mixed bag of chaotic characters that fit well within the tone of this horror comedy. While some characters are more memorable than others, they collectively contribute to the film’s energetic and unpredictable atmosphere. The comedy in Abigail is well-timed and effectively breaks up the tension of the action scenes. The film doesn't take itself too seriously, allowing for playful moments that enhance its entertainment value. The twists, while not entirely unexpected, are executed with enough flair to keep the audience invested. For example, a late-film revelation about Abigail's origins adds an intriguing twist to the narrative, adding depth to her character and setting up potential future installments.

Not quite as entertaining as Ready or Not, still has plenty of bonker moments, especially the second half. Really liked the performances by Melissa Barrera and Dan Stevens, but the others were a lot of fun as well. **3.5/5**

I feel like “Abigail” is going to be one of those horror movies that audiences and genre fans really like. This latest project from Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett has everything you’d want in a film, and it delivers on them all. From its wicked sense of humor and slightly taunting tone to its fully committed, talented cast and plenty of bloody gore, this is one entertaining ride from start to finish. A menagerie of would-be criminals (Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud and William Catlett) have taken a mysterious job at the behest of a man named Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito) to kidnap Abigail (Alisha Weir), the preteen ballerina daughter of a very powerful figure in the underworld. It’s a $50 million ransom and payday, and the gang holes up in a creepy old mansion overnight until her daddy makes with the cash. Nothing goes according to plan, and they’re especially thrown for a loop when they eventually discover that they’re trapped inside not only with no way out, but with a 12-year-old girl who is definitely not normal. It’s a very simple premise and story, but everyone involved makes the most of it. The film exceeds expectations, and it’s so much better and more satisfying than you’d expect. A lot of that is due to the terrific cast and performances, stylish directing, and a series of genuine surprises and twists that are both shocking and sometimes even silly. (In fact, the story’s surprises are one of the biggest strengths, so avoid all spoilers if you want to have the most fun watching this one). Another thing that sets the film apart is its unexpectedly well-developed characters. In a genre often filled with simple throwaways, screenwriters Stephen Shields and Guy Busick take the time to flesh out each character, making their backgrounds, struggles, and terror feel real. While the adults are understated for the most part, Weir tends to overdo it a bit in some of the later scenes. Her dramatic (and a little goofy) performance, especially when ballerina dancing is combined with throat-ripping, just screams out “corny horror movie.” But that’s also what makes it all so entertaining. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett include a handful of lazy jump scares but never rely on them, which is refreshing. There are plenty of bloody and gross moments that’ll appease fans looking for grisly effects, and even those are played with a lightly farcical touch. I wouldn’t call this film scary, but it’s definitely amusing. There are some glaring plot holes, so your willingness to look the other way will probably be a major deciding factor if you’ll enjoy or hate this one. It’s a straightforward story, but it’s also clear a lot of effort has been put into every aspect of the movie. “Abigail” knows exactly what it wants to be and delivers on that promise. By: Louisa Moore / SCREEN ZEALOTS

I went into "Abigail" expecting a chilling horror movie with a unique ballerina twist, but I was surprised to find it leaning more towards comedy. The exaggerated fight scenes between adults and a young girl provided some comedic moments that had me chuckling. While the film does explore character development, it unfortunately disposes of two characters without much impact. Despite this flaw, the plot's unexpected twists and turns keep the story engaging and make for an overall enjoyable viewing experience. The final act may feel a bit chaotic, but the climactic battle scene is reminiscent of classic movie showdowns, adding to the excitement. Melissa Barrera's presence in the film harkens back to her role in the "Scream" franchise, evoking a sense of nostalgia. Unfortunately, the film falters in its conclusion with an unnecessary cameo from the father, disrupting the emotional dynamic of Joey. This misstep detracts from an otherwise entertaining movie.

What a great movie... This movie reminds me of old times when movies were interesting and fun to watch unlike mordern movies which are filled with political propaganda nowadays and boring as hell with zero talent. Good acting, good plot and most importantly - no agenda! I enjoyed watching this movie a lot.

ABIGAIL is a stylish, bloody vampire flick that thrives on its energetic performances and slick production quality. Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, and Alisha Weir shine in their roles, with Weir in particular proving to be a standout young talent. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett's partnership continues to be incredibly successful, blending humor, action, and horror seamlessly. Really fun atmosphere, making it an entertaining ride from start to finish. While the film impresses visually and keeps a fast-paced momentum, it lacks depth in its storytelling. The plot feels familiar, sticking closely to vampire genre tropes without much thematic exploration. Yet, for those looking for a light, enjoyable experience with excellent performances and sharp direction, ABIGAIL delivers exactly that. It's not groundbreaking, but it's worth watching for fans of stylish horror. Rating: B-