Abigail (2024) Demands a Standing Ovation After Delivering Gleeful Vampire Horror Action
Title: Abigail
First Non-Festival Release: April 17, 2024 (Theatrical Release)
Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
Writer: Stephen Shields, Guy Busick
Runtime: 109 Minutes
Starring: Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, Angus Cloud
Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here
What should be an easy job turns deadly when a group of criminals abducts a little girl named Abigail (Alisha Weir). At the behest of Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito), the man who organized the evening, the group pulls off the initial kidnapping with ease. Each plays a role in the success of the operation. Delivery driver Dean (Angus Cloud), hacker Sammy (Kathryn Newton), muscleman Peter (Kevin Durand), former military Rickles (William Catlett), former cop Frank (Dan Stevens), and combat medic Joey (Melissa Barrera) work together for a life-changing amount of money. Despite this, Joey manages to form a bond with Abigail, whom she is charged with protecting through the night. As the evening progresses, it’s clear Abigail isn’t the one in need of protection.
Gleefully bloody with a wicked sense of humor, Radio Silence’s Abigail is an electrifying take on ‘Dracula’.
Skeptics worried that the marketing department ruined all the fun of Abigail by revealing the film’s big baddie will be delighted to hear that the fears are unfounded. Instead of relying on the mystery behind their circumstances and banking on a big reveal, Abigail treats viewers to a more bonkers and upbeat approach to horror. While the characters may be in the dark to Abigail’s condition, audience members are given the opportunity to experience a film with a twist with that knowledge in hand. It doesn’t reward a rewatch but does push audiences to search deeper for clues that help foreshadow some of the more exciting sequences. Vampire lore is sprinkled throughout, often through well-timed jokes at the crew’s cluelessness at how to escape or overpower Abigail. The few reveals that are sprinkled in have more to do with the motivations behind its characters, which keeps the film feeling dynamic in what could otherwise be a stale “what if a kid ballerina was a vampire” movie.
By relying on its web of character dynamics, Abigail propels the action and keeps audiences guessing what exactly will happen next. Trapped in a house with other criminals and a monstrous 12-year-old, the group bickers more than problem solves, striking up alliances and undermining each other’s attempts to get out alive. Joey keeps the group glued together despite Frank’s dubious, oftentimes counterproductive, actions. The cast plays off each other well, ensuring that no one is left to fade into the background.
And what a cast! Every addition to the team does excellent work in making the crew of ragtag criminals and their predators come to life in convincing and hilarious ways. Smaller roles are brought to life thanks to the intimacy of the screenplay and the power behind their actors. The late Angus Cloud’s hopelessly horny Dean and Kevin Durand’s dumb-as-rocks Peter add welcome levity to the film’s action-packed vampire carnage. Kathryn Newton does a fantastic job too of bringing comedy to the table with Sammy, a teen hacker way out of her element without daddy’s money to rescue her from danger.
The heavy lifting, however, comes from Melissa Barrera, Alisha Weir, and Dan Stevens. The emotional center of the film, Barrera embodies the spirit of a survivor in Joey. Steely, cynical, and empathetic underneath the walls, Barrera leads the film comfortably as the badass unafraid to take on whoever is in the way of seeing her son again. Alisha Weir is delightful in the titular role. Without her bold performance as the merciless ballerina, Abigail would not hit as hard as it does. Balancing fear, wit, and menace, Weir is a talent that will likely be booked for years, should she want to continue in the craft. Rounding out the trio, Stevens fluctuates between ally and villain with ease, making the third act a truly compelling watch. The venom he imbues in Frank gives life to his spiteful, cowardly character in the most exciting of ways. Because of his portrayal, Abigail never feels dull even when the story feels like it has hit a potential blockage.
While thoroughly enjoyable, Abigail feels very familiar for fans of Radio Silence. Radio Silence have curated a filmography that, while undeniably entertaining, indicates comfort in a specific brand of storytelling. Between features Ready or Not, Scream, Scream 6, and now Abigail, the team have shown a proclivity for making great horror comedies/satires with large ensemble casts. Surely, having a signature style isn’t a problem, especially if a viewer is seeking out their particular type of film. It can be wearisome when the films feature similar tropes that one can reasonably see as formulaic. This is particularly noticeable with the trend to end each film in an action-packed blood bath that leads with the heroine soaked head-to-toe in blood. The imagery is powerful for sure, but with each iteration it loses its steam.
A crowd-pleasing Universal monster movie with heart, Abigail is an excellent choice for genre fans and casual moviegoers alike. Gory, gooey, and ripe with rapid-fire humor, Abigail goes for the throat without losing the heart of its story. While structurally similar to their previous work, Radio Silence delivers another excellent horror comedy that hits all the high notes necessary to give genre fans enough reason to adore Abigail and her reign of terror.
Overall Score? 8/10
