Abigail (2024) movie review

Abigail has a great premise. And a terrible trailer that gives it all away. What if a bunch of kidnappers hold a young girl for ransom for 24 hours who turns out to be a centuries-old vampire?  It’s scary, bloody, novel and entertaining in spite of a few flaws in the writing.

Hired by Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito in a small, unsatisfying role for actor’s fans), the kidnappers are asked to stay within a mansion so they are safe until the ransom is secured. The group’s leader, Frank (Dan Stevens, shedding his smashing good looks and having fun being obnoxious) prefers that their identities remain undisclosed. Melissa Barrera plays Joey who is tasked with watching over the young girl, Abigail (Alisha Weir, the glittering star of the movie).

Don (William Catlett) and Peter (Kevin Durand) are in charge of security. Sammy (Katherine Newton), the cyber whiz-kid and Dean (the late Angus Cloud), the driver have completed their part in the mission but still have to wait it out in the mansion. The mansion has its own personality with odd artwork and stuffed wild animals, all pointing to the age-old practice of hunting.

Soon the group finds out they are being attacked and are trapped in the mansion. They already have trouble trusting each other which adds to the chaos once the vampire begins her assault. Unable to make sense of what’s happening, they must figure out how to stay alive with a vampire unleashing mayhem.

As a vampire, Abigail is strong and she can fly, but she is also manipulative having years of experience to master the skill. Even though the hunted are full-grown adults, they are no match for her. The movie is funny too, like when Frank asks Sammy to bring garlic to weaken the vampire and when she’s back he goes, ‘Sammy, those are fucking onions!’.

Abigail unpredictably proceeds, entertaining all the way until the third act. It’s unfortunate that the trailer gives away all the best plot points because what’s left doesn’t live up to the expectations set by the movie. But, well-shot action and camerawork elevate the script as does the dialogue. 

Doused in blood, Barrera, the new scream queen is good enough as the sensible and resourceful Joey. Alisha Weir, on the other hand, is absolutely amazing in the dual role. As the kidnapped Abigail, she invokes empathy whereas in the role of the vampire she wreaks terror. Strangely, the terror comes from her graceful ballet moves as she toys with the trapped souls, blood spilling from her mouth onto her pretty, white ballerina dress.

Speaking of blood, there is a lot of it (viewers that have a problem with that beware). The directing duo of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are horror movie-makers well known for the latest Scream movies. However, their best work was 2019’s Ready or Not. Abigail is not as good as that one, but it’s a fun addition to the vampire movie genre and definitely worth a watch for horror fans.