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Movie Review: Abigail

Mike Tyrkus
Kathryn Newton in "Abigail."

Kathryn Newton in "Abigail."

Although many horror films may telegraph their intentions in explicit detail, there are often films in the genre that seek to weave in and out of the genre’s confines to create a sort of hybrid film that straddles multiple genres. Not many do so successfully. The film Abigail, however, is one of the rare ones that does, thanks to some solid direction and two distinctive lead performances.

The caper begins innocently enough as a cadre of criminals execute the kidnapping of the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of an underworld gangster. Upon delivery of the girl to an isolated mansion, they are told they must keep an eye on the girl overnight to collect their $50 million payout. This seems simple enough, that is, until they discover what they are holding captive is no ordinary little girl.

The directing pair of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett – who previously helmed the reboot of Scream (2022) and its subsequent sequel Scream VI (2023) – bring that same knowledge of the genre exhibited in their previous work. Here, working from a script by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick, the directors craft a horror film that sports echoes of 1985’s Fright Night in that it takes itself just seriously enough to be a quality entry to the genre, but refrains from losing sight of the fun side of the genre and instead remains somewhat aware of itself and its place as an off-the-beaten-path horror film.

As one might expect, the lead actress – Melissa Barrera – carries the film as Joey, a criminal character sympathetic to the victim of the crime she has had a part in perpetrating. Similarly, her sparring partner Abigail (Alisha Weir), also provides one of the stronger performances of the film as the seemingly helpless kidnapping victim. Other players – particularly Kathryn Newton – get their own individual moments to shine, but few of those amount to the time afforded both Barrera and Weir.

The work by editor Michael P. Shawver gives the film the breadth and pacing it needs to succeed as this isn’t a wait-and-see what happens type of film, instead it works like an all-out monster mayhem romp and that makes it even more entertaining. Like the aforementioned Fright Night, this film isn’t taking itself too seriously but instead focuses on delivering a solid action/survival/horror blend that proves wildly entertaining when all is said and done.

As do many other successful horror films, Abigail promises one narrative trope only to trip up the audience with a remarkably entertaining adventure yarn centered around a group of questionable individuals hunted by a ruthless monster.

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Mike Tyrkus

Editor in Chief at CinemaNerdz.com
An independent filmmaker, co-writer and director of over a dozen short films, the Editor in Chief of CinemaNerdz.com has spent much of the last three decades as a writer and editor specializing in biographical and critical reference sources in literature and the cinema, beginning in February 1991 reviewing films for his college newspaper. He was a member of the Detroit Film Critics Society, as well as the group's webmaster and one-time President for over a decade until the group ceased to exist. His contributions to film criticism can be found in Magill's Cinema Annual, VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever (of which he was the editor for nearly a decade until it too ceased to exist), the International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, and the St. James Film Directors Encyclopedia (on which he collaborated with editor Andrew Sarris). He has also appeared on the television program Critic LEE Speaking alongside Lee Thomas of FOX2 and Adam Graham, of The Detroit News. He currently lives in the Detroit area with his wife and their dogs.

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