Abigail (2024)

Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett

Starring: Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kevin Durand

After a group of criminals kidnap the ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, they retreat to an isolated mansion, unaware that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.

Young Abigail is a ballet dancer, and she is from a wealthy family. Her dad is a very powerful man. Hired for a 24-hour job by a guy named Lambert, six criminals kidnap Abigail from her home. The intent is to ask a $50 million ransom. To protect their identities and due to the nature of the job, the criminals are given fake names.

Abigail is taken to a secluded mansion (and I must say I enjoyed the setting in this big old house). Joey (Melissa Barrera) is instructed to look after Abigail, but after the young girl remarks “I’m sorry for what’s about to happen to you”, Joey gets spooked. When she tells Frank (Dan Stevens), he insists Abigail reveals who her dad is…and things start getting out of hand from there.

I absolutely LOVED the first half of this movie. The mystery element allowed for a few unsettling moments. Even though I knew this to be a vampire movie, it was still unpredictable. I found it to be a fresh take on a very familiar genre. I was captivated, on the edge of my seat and glued to the screen.

Being a vampire movie, you know someone is bound to be bitten by a vampire, and will become a vampire themselves, so no spoilers in mentioning this. Only, when the characters start turning, the film became all too familiar and became standard genre stuff. Even so, it was still entertaining, but I definitely enjoyed the first half much more.

Be warned, this film gets gory and bloody! And I mean bucket loads of blood!! It’s best to finish your popcorn and snacks before the third act. This is not the kind of movie I expected Dan Stevens to do, but I must say I rather enjoyed this different role for him.

In general, this is a nice addition to the vampire genre. It has a good script, good score, good sound effects, good make-up, good photography, and I thought 15-year old Alisha Weir did a wonderful job as Abigail.

Would I watch it again? Yes, I believe I would.