‘Abigail’ Is a Comical and Bloody Addition To Vampire Lore [MOVIE REVIEW]

What do we know about vampires? That answer really depends on the medium. Back in 1922 Count Orlok, played by Max Schreck, became the first vampire depicted on screen in the F.W. Murnau directed film “Nosferatu.” Since then, we’ve seen them sparkle in “Twilight,” glamour humans for blood in True Blood, get slain in countless ways in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and dress impeccably well in American Horror Story: Hotel. One thing remains common in any iteration of how vampires are portrayed: they are not to be trusted and oh, there will be blood. The new film “Abigail” has now joined the ranks of vampire lore as a blood thirsty addition.

(L-R) Kathryn Newton as Sammy, Dan Stevens as Frank, Kevin Durand as Peter in “Abigail.” Photo: Universal Pictures

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett and written by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick, “Abigail,” follows a group of criminals soon to be known as the Rat Pack – Joey (Melissa Barrera), Frank (Dan Stevens), Sammy (Kathryn Newton), Rickles (William Catlett), Peter (Kevin Durand), and Dean (Angus Cloud) – who are desperate for cash. They are tasked by Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito) to kidnap Abigail (Alisha Weir), the ballerina daughter of a powerful man, and hold her for ransom for 20 or so hours. The criminals have no idea they have been drafted to be playthings for Abigail who is “a ballerina vampire” ready to spend the evening tormenting and playing with her food.

(L-R) Kathryn Newton as Sammy, Melissa Barrera as Joey, Kevin Durand as Peter, and Dan Stevens as Frank in “Abigail.” Photo: Universal Pictures

That’s pretty much the gist of “Abigail.” The fact that viewers would be dealing with a vampire was laid out clearly in the trailer, but the excitement came from seeing which type of vampire was going to grace the screen and Alisha Weir delivered a charming and equally menacing vampire. She was sweet and innocent when she was playing the part of the child scared for her life then easily flipped to a vicious monster stalking and dismantling her prey. Those moments when Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” played, and Abigail would dance were so captivating. Pretty much anytime Abigail danced was entertaining whether she was slaying a pirouette or chasing after a victim.

Melissa Barrera as Joey and Dan Stevens as Frank in “Abigail.” Photo: Universal Pictures.

Melissa and Kathyrn are also to be commended for the new age scream queens they are. Starring in recent horror films like “Scream” (2022), “Scream VI” (2023), “Freaky” (2020), and “Lisa Frankenstein” (2023), the pair are making their mark in the spooky genre. While Melissa’s character had stand out moments being the voice of reason throughout the film, Kathryn’s character carried the comedy. She brings an effortless comedic flair to her character and just seeing Melissa on screen you know she’s going to be a final girl. She doesn’t play. The producers from “Ready or Not” (2019) and the “Scream” franchise were behind “Abigail” and if you’re familiar with those projects you’re in for a similar ride when it comes to horror absurdity, and I mean that in the best way.

Melissa Barrera as Joey in “Abigail.” Photo: Universal Pictures.

Fake blood budget? There couldn’t have been one because the amount used in “Abigail” almost seemed gratuitous. The gore in this film is high once the film picks up. It was slow in the beginning and dragged a lot towards the end. There’s a fight sequence in the final act of the film that had me questioning if I was still watching “Abigail” or “The Twilight Saga: New Moon?”

There were a few inconsistencies with how one becomes a vampire, I’ll leave it at that, and seeing Angus on screen was bittersweet; loved seeing the potential he had as an actor outside of Euphoria but so sad knowing that he’s gone.

Angus Cloud as Dean in “Abigail.” Photo: Universal Pictures

I enjoyed “Abigail” overall. Was it the best horror film I’ve seen this year? No and I don’t think it has the potential to be. It’s just a fun time at the movies watching adults evade a dancing vampire ballerina for almost 2 hours.

“Abigail” is playing now in theaters.

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Photo: Universal Pictures