Abigail

 

Abigail (2024)

An Amusing and Crowd-Friendly Thriller

★★★☆☆

Watched 12 May 2024 — A fun, gory mashup that delivers the goods even if the marketing spoiled the surprise.

Directed by the "Radio Silence" duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Abigail is a rowdy exploration of the kidnap-thriller genre with a supernatural bite. Despite its main twist being heavily featured in the trailers, the film manages to maintain momentum through a series of fun narrative turns and plenty of visceral jump scares. It succeeds primarily as a group experience, relying on a game ensemble cast who clearly enjoyed playing within the bloody confines of its central premise.

"Best enjoyed in the company of good friends and a rowdy audience talking and laughing at the screen. [It is] an amusing and crowd friendly thriller/comedy."

— Ray Manukay

🎬 Cast & Crew

• Directors: [Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett](https://www.imdb.com)
• Starring: [Melissa Barrera](https://www.imdb.com), Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir
• Supporting: Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud
• Studio: Universal Pictures

The Vision

The directorial vision follows the established "Radio Silence" playbook seen in Ready or Not: mixing high-stakes horror with dark, comedic levity. The film focuses on subverting expectations of the "victim" and "predator" dynamic. While the marketing may have dampened the initial shock of the reveal, the filmmakers double down on stylistic gore and energetic pacing to keep the audience engaged. It’s a movie that prioritizes the "blast" of the moment over deep lore, aiming for high-energy entertainment that flourishes in a theatrical setting.

🎬 Cinephile Fun Facts

• Angus Cloud’s Final Role: This film marks one of the final on-screen appearances for [Angus Cloud](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com), best known for his role in Euphoria.
• Ballerina Vampire: Alisha Weir, who plays Abigail, performed many of her own dance-inspired stunts, drawing on her musical theater background (Matilda the Musical).
• Classic Roots: The film is a loose, modern reimagining of the 1936 classic Dracula's Daughter.

✅ Pros

• Great performances from a high-energy ensemble.
• Plenty of fun gore and effective jump scares.
• Excellent choice for a group viewing experience.

❌ Cons

• Marketing spoiled the most significant twist.
• Follows fairly standard horror/thriller tropes.
• Narrative turns can feel predictable for genre veterans.

🏆 Final Verdict

A blood-soaked, amusing romp that proves the "Radio Silence" team still knows how to throw a party on screen. Even if you know what's coming, the ride is worth the price of admission for the fun alone.

View on Letterboxd