Abigail Movie Review - An Entertaining Gory Horror
The narrative makes it clear that neither Abigail nor the 12-year-old are typical vampire films. Nobody has updated vampire and Dracula mythology more skillfully than Radio Silence, even though it still has relevance and freshness. Radio Silence assembles some of the best horror performers of their period to play a hesitant, oddball group of soon-to-be vampire warriors, and what they do with Abigail is nothing short of a wonder. Precise timing is used to blend humor and terror, making this one of the brightest and most creative vampire films in years.
The ideal illustration of why we go to the movies is Abigail: Everything that makes a fantastic popcorn movie come together in this one: jaw-dropping gore and VFX, exciting and surprising performances, moments that make us jump, stunning revelations, and a memorable climax. With popularity, Abigail sets itself apart from the genre fare that came before it. Knowing what to expect from a standard horror film doesn't help the protagonists in their struggle to avoid becoming prey. Instead, we don't know how to approach Abigail as she is either.
Throughout the movie, only a select few characters are given more in-depth backstories and emotional journeys; Weir's Abigail has the most nuanced motives and histories of all of the characters. With the help of Barrera's Joey and Weir's Abigail, Radio Silence skillfully tells a timeless family tale that keeps its punch throughout the film's many explanatory scenes. Abigail takes its time to earn its happy ending in a way that honors its ideas about family and accountability, keeping faithful to the major characters while leaving us wanting more. Some plot twists and character decisions are more clever than others, but overall the story builds towards a gratifying conclusion.
With this, the ensemble cast shines. Melissa Barrera, who rejoined Team Radio Silence following the SCREAM movie, has a standout performance as the main character. We sympathize with her and understand her motivations, particularly after discovering more about her history. Kathryn Newton has plenty of her moments here, while Dan Stevens steals the show with his foul-mouthed performance. In minor roles, Giancarlo Esposito and the late Angus Cloud perform as well. Alisha Weir's portrayal of the title vampire, however, is the real highlight. She truly makes the entire experience worthwhile and steals the show in every scene she is in.
Overall, Abigail is awesome. It's creepy, fun, thrilling, and surprisingly funny.
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐