Abigail Movie Review

I finally got around to watching Abigail. The story about a group of guns for hire that kidnap a wealthy underground king pin's ballerina daughter. Only catch is the little helpless girl is actually a centuries old vampire. The story had the making for greatness. I love vampire lure and have seen a bunch of vampire movies and tv shows. I am talking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Vampire Diaries, Van Helsing, Dracula, Blade, Underworld; you name the vampire content and I've seen it.

So I went into this film with an open mind and ready to be wowed. Lambert, with his meticulous planning and shadowy connections, assembles a team of skilled criminals to execute a high-profile kidnapping. Their target is Abigail, the daughter of a notorious crime boss. The plan is straightforward: hold Abigail captive, ensure her safety, and demand a hefty ransom.

As the criminals carry out their mission, Abigail’s calm demeanor and seemingly compliant behavior raise the team's suspicions. They start to question whether there’s more to her than meets the eye. The situation becomes increasingly complex as they uncover clues suggesting that Abigail might not be the helpless victim she appears to be.

The tension escalates when Abigail displays an uncanny ability to manipulate her captors, revealing that she may have her own agenda. The kidnappers find themselves trapped in a web of deception and conflicting interests. As the 24-hour deadline looms, the true nature of Abigail’s relationship with her father, Lambert’s hidden motives, and the criminals’ own desires come into sharp focus.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, as Radio Silence directed this flick and are indeed known for their distinctive approach to genre filmmaking, blending suspense with a sharp sense of humor and self-awareness. Radio Silence’s knack for clever meta-humor will shine through in Abigail’s dialogue and interactions, offering witty commentary on genre conventions and character archetypes. The film mixes tension with moments of levity, using clever cinematography and atmospheric design to maintain a balance between horror, comedy, and suspense. There are sharp, stylish visuals with a blend of suspenseful lighting and playful color schemes that enhance the comedic elements. The tone is a mix of dark and playful while the dialogue delivers moments of comedic relief and genre-savvy fun.

However, Abigail missed the mark in delivering a satisfying balance between its setup and its twist. The film's first half takes too long to establish its hook – the ballerina being a vampire – leading to a disconnect between the setup and the payoff. The engaging quality of the initial narrative is crucial to sustain audience interest before the genre shift.

Abigail not only missed an opportunity to stand out with a fresh take on its genre, but it also ended up feeling too similar to Radio Silence’s previous work. Given Radio Silence’s success with meta-commentary and satire in the "Scream" films, "Abigail" could have benefited from a more nuanced exploration of vampire and hostage tropes. A deconstruction of these archetypes would have added layers to the narrative and provided a more engaging and original experience.

Overall, I haven't been this disappointed in vampire movie since Twilight. Abigail may not have achieved the inventive heights expected from Radio Silence, but it also serves as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining originality within genre conventions.

You can definitely skip this film.

What did you think? Drop a comment.