How many vampire movies can you spot nowadays? If you're bloody desperate for a good one, luckily, Abigail is here to quench our thirst. Since the news first dropped, Abigail has been marketed as a remake of Dracula's Daughter (1936), making it no surprise that vampires are taking the center stage in the movie.
Directed by Scream 5 and Scream 6's Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, Abigail follows a group of criminals who are given the job of kidnapping what turns out to be the 12-year-old daughter of an underworld boss and watching her for one night. If the plan succeeds, they get to share the $50 ransom money. However, as the night progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that Abigail isn't merely the fragile child she appears to be.
ABIGAIL IS GROTESQUELY COQUETTE
As if it was paying homage to Dracula (1931), the dramatic and mesmerizing tune of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake opens the movie with "Tiny Dancer" Abigail rehearsing on stage in an empty theater hall automatically sucking you into the movie. The scene unfolds rapidly as the kidnappers cram into a van, abduct Abigail, transport her to a secluded mansion, and hide her in one of the bedrooms.
From the beginning, we are introduced to six characters who are always present in typical popcorn survival films; the 'final girl', the mister-know-it-all, the dumbo for comedic relief, and the weird guy who always dies first. It's sad to see Angus Cloud's final performance; there's a feeling of airiness in his portrayal. Dan Stevens nails being purposely unlikable, while Melissa Barrera perfectly fits her character.
However, nothing compares to the child actor, Alisha Weir's outstanding portrayal of Abigail. Her performance the unpredictability of her emotion, her unsettling laugh, and her monsterous demeanor makes her shine, meeting and even exceeding expectations. Alisha Weir's talent suggests a bright future ahead, as her performance encapsulates why the title centers on her character.
 Cuplikan film Abigail/ Foto: IMDb |
There are some scenes that are done absolutely right and beautifully, especially spoiler alert the one where Abigail performs ballet to a punk-rock song while controlling Sammy's body (Kathryn Newton), a punk computer whiz who was bitten and later transformed into a vampire.
This sequence surely left a mark on my heart, and kudos to them for adding depth to Sammy's half-dull character instead of making her personality even less interesting after being bitten. I love how they manage to combine three different aesthetics and deliver it in ways that no one had ever imagined. Overall, the film showcases great fun as Abigail toys with her prey before revealing her razor-sharp teeth and nipping at them one by one.
Even though there's more gore than bloodsucking activity for a vampire film, Abigail nails being a truly snackable, blood-pumping adventure with its own twists and turns. It is wrapped in a perfectly balanced manner of comedic remarks and realistic ones (cue the pop culture references to Twilight and the stereotypes around vampires like garlic and crosses). It even borrows an explosive act from Ready or Not, executed more decently than the reference. All in all, Abigail is a less tacky version of The Twilight Saga and much more polished than The Invitation (2022).
(HAI/tim)