Coming from the same creative team behind the horror films, the ‘Scream’ sequels and ‘Ready or Not’ are yet another B-movies masquerading as yet another genre-defying revelation. You get a bloody mixture of vampire clichés and clumsy humour, wanting the audience a bit more to chew on. That is Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s vampire comedy ‘Abigail’ for you.
The easy part of kidnapping a young girl should be the ransom plan. However, things take a turn for the worse in this 2024 darkly humorous flick. A group of so-called professionals target Abigail, the daughter of a prominent figure in the criminal underworld. The opportunistic criminals end up being the ultimate targets as events unfold.
Abigail is shown in her element at the beginning of the movie. She is graceful and poised, practising ballet on stage. Every action is controlled and exact. Later, Abigail makes extensive use of this ability. The abductors take Abigail to an abandoned manor after intercepting her on her way home. This place has a rich history, with gothic architecture and a spooky atmosphere. It will be covered in blood by the end of the night’s activities.
A group of misfits
The motley crew is made up of a group of misfits who have their own crosses to bear. The man in charge, Lambert, gives them nicknames to conceal their identities. Among them are Dean, Joey, Frank, Rickles, Sammy, and Peter. Despite selecting their names randomly, these have a satisfying explanation at the end.
The kidnappers discover a terrible secret after they believe they have Abigail under control. Abigail is no typical young girl, and this was no typical job. These unfortunate criminals have fallen into a trap. They soon unveil that she is a powerful vampire. The hunters turn into the hunted in the ensuing struggle for survival during the night. Abigail stalks her victims, leading to several satisfying but startling kills.
The script by Guy Busick and Stephen Shields is full of clever dialogue and dark humour. Shields, who co-wrote ‘The Hole in the Ground’ with Lee Cronin, has already established himself in Irish horror films. Busick, who co-wrote the two most recent ‘Scream’ movies, is an expert in the horror genre. The synchronisation between their script and direction is evident because Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett also directed those movies. The stakes are continually being raised, and they only display what is necessary. Dimly lit study spaces and dark hallways are hazardous places where danger can be found around every corner.
The cast works well with each other. Angus Cloud’s brief appearance as Dean is memorable because of the script’s witty dialogue. The character gains authority from Will Catlett’s rough turn as Rickles. Peter, played by Kevin Durand, is more than just the group’s muscleman. He also has a tender side. Sammy, a specialist in all things vampire, provides crucial exposition, and Kathryn Newton lends a feeling of familiarity. Giancarlo Esposito makes a fleeting appearance but makes the most of his time on screen, appearing both slick and menacing.
Emotional pillars
Alisha Weir and Melissa Barrera serve as the film’s emotional pillars. While Weir, who recently dazzled audiences with her portrayal of Matilda in ‘Matilda: The Musical’, continues her ascent to fame with a dedicated performance as Abigail. Barrera gives Joey a vulnerable authenticity. This is further enhanced by the fact that Weir not only performs well in the title role but also manages to hold her own against the cast. Weir establishes herself as this iconic character with her fluid movements and vicious vampiric rampage.
Even though ‘Abigail’ pushes boundaries with its fast-paced narrative changes and graphic violence, these aspects occasionally detract from the film’s coherence and pacing, particularly in the third act. Though the gritty, dark visual style aims to heighten the mood, it sometimes obscures the finely detailed special effects and fight choreography that are essential to the movie.
Notwithstanding these criticisms, “Abigail” deftly blends a character-driven narrative with the conventions of a horror thriller. It combines scathing action with incisive, humorous dialogue to captivate the audience and keep them guessing. However, when it comes to finding its own niche, ‘Abigail’ fails miserably in its storyline. It becomes yet another unforgettable movie that could have been improved had there been more substance.
