Abigail (2024)
Abigail
”A group of criminals kidnap a powerful figure's daughter, only to realize she's a vampire.”
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Trailer
Why watch this film?
Abigail demonstrates why we should keep an eye on the director duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, especially when they have original material at their disposal (they also directed Scream 5 and 6, with mixed results). Abigail is a film that manages to balance the terror and tragedy of its characters with the absurdity of its premise, thanks to a clever script that plays with the conventions of vampire literature, careful direction, and a phenomenal cast (led by Mexican actress Melissa Barrera and Dan Stevens) that fully utilizes their roles. The plot follows a group of kidnappers tasked with a delicate job: to kidnap a millionaire's daughter for ransom. However, it all turns out to be a trap: beneath the guise of a 12-year-old girl, the victim is actually an ancient vampire who likes to play with her food. Like Ready or Not in its time, this film is self-aware, pushing its story and violence to the most absurd and fun limits without falling into self-parody. It won’t change the history of horror cinema, but it’s an excellent (and even stylish for a film of its genre, I dare say) choice for a fun time at the movies with friends.
Lalo Ortega
Assistant Editor at Filmelier
Plot summary
A group of would-be criminals kidnaps the 12-year-old daughter of a powerful underworld figure. Holding her for ransom in an isolated mansion, their plan starts to unravel when they discover their young captive is actually a bloodthirsty vampire.
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