Entertainment Blog #232 | Abigail [2024] - Is She a Good Girl??

When it comes to vampire movies, it mostly revolves around some old dude spending his life alone, trying to avoid the sun without enjoying life. But this movie takes that boringness away and introduces a new dimension to this genre, blending some sarcasm without dropping a drop of horror from vampire stories.

"Abigail" is a 2024 American horror comedy film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who previously worked on "Ready or Not." The screenplay was written by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick. Alisha Weir plays the title role, and the film's talented ensemble cast includes Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Will Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, and Giancarlo Esposito. This is the last movie of Angus Cloud before its death. Universal Pictures released the film in theaters across the United States on April 19, 2024. "Abigail" received mostly positive reviews from critics and grossed $30 million worldwide.

Talking about the story, a group of 5 people was assembled by a man named Lambert to kidnap a girl of a wealthy family. This girl, Abigail, used to practice ballet. While 2 members followed the girl en route, the others broke into the house and settled there until Abigail comes. The mission wasn't that hard. They caught her and tranquillized her. Even though safety alarm went on, they escaped on time and went to the place where Lambert told to come.

The group is instructed not to share any personal information with Abigail or with each other. The group, which goes by only nicknames taken from the Rat Pack, is made up of a former NYPD detective Frank, a wealthy hacker named Sammy, a sociopathic driver named Dean, a former Army medic named Rickles, a recovering drug addict named Joey, a talkative Canadian mob enforcer named Peter, and a wealthy hacker named Frank. As long as Abigail is kept safe, each will get a $7 million check after 24 hours.

Joey is the one who goes and talks with Abigail. Abigail looks scared, but she says something bad will happen to Joey and the group members. They thought her father would come looking for her, and that's what she mentioned. After getting to know her father's name, Frank tries to walk away but others talks him in.

There were a lot of drinks, food arranged for them to stay this 24 hours in this mansion. Everything was perfect until all decided to spend some alone time. And that's when the horrors starts to incline. At first, Dean was found dead, with the head detached from his body. The cut didn't look like a cut of a blade. It looked like a bite of an animal.

That's when everyone tries to escape this rabbit hole. But it seems like all the doors and windows are locked and sheilded. So they can't escape now. Abigail looked fine in her room. Now they have to ally and do something about this animal before it kills someone. Will they be able to catch this animal? Who is this animal anyway? It's up to you to find out.

"Abigail" differentiates itself from other vampire films with its unique blend of horror, humor, and unexpected twists. A unique aspect is Abigail's portrayal as a young vampire with a complicated history, which adds a layer of innocence and vulnerability to her character. The film also uses sarcasm and dark humor, especially in the interactions between the criminals and Abigail. Furthermore, the use of ballet dancing as a central motif adds a visually striking and thematically rich element to the story, emphasizing Abigail's beauty and poise despite her monstrous form. These unconventional elements, combined with a compelling plot and well-developed characters, distinguish "Abigail" as a unique and entertaining take on the vampire genre.

Critics praised "Abigail" for its combination of horror and comedy, as well as the cast's performances, particularly Alisha Weir in the lead role. Critics praised Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett's stylish direction for balancing the film's darker elements with humor. The film's clever take on the vampire genre and engaging storyline were praised, though some critics felt it could have gone deeper into its characters. Overall, "Abigail" was praised for its entertaining and unique take on the vampire mythologies.

"Abigail" earned $20.5 million in the United States and Canada, with an additional $9.8 million in other territories, for a global total of $30.3 million. The film's success is due to its captivating premise, strong performances, and distinct blend of horror and comedy. Despite its modest budget, "Abigail" managed to captivate audiences and critics alike, proving to be a welcome addition to the vampire genre. The film concludes with protagonist Joey standing up to Abigail's father, eventually gaining her freedom and the opportunity to reunite with her son, and ending on a note of empowerment and conclusion.