“Abigail” the film isn’t altogether unhealthy, however Abigail the pint-sized, pirouetting villain may use some critical… rehearsal.
It’s laborious to think about a slasher film a few vampire ballerina caught in a “Standard Suspects” scenario missing chunk. However author/administrators Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet’s fifth function matches the meager meat of its title, presenting a disappointing outing in foolish slasher conceits that most likely performed higher behind the scenes.
“Matilda: The Musical” alumna Alisha Weir stars because the titular monster: a twirling car for terror whose standing as a member of the undead is theoretically a reveal. Kidnapped by a rag-tag gang of criminals, Abigail begins the movie as a helpless little wealthy lady blindfolded, tied to a mattress, and left to attend for her harmful daddy in a largely mahogany mansion.
The Radio Silence-approved “Scream” queen Melissa Barrera is the goal’s main handler. Masked and meticulous with a sympathetic backstory of her personal, Joey doesn’t need to see Abigail damage. That’s a throughline you’ll be anticipated to comply with effectively previous its logical conclusion in what’s in the end a misguided experiment in child-centric horror that loses its method worse than a toddler with stage fright.
One abductor in a set of misunderstood misfits, Joey is joined by 4 different kidnappers. With the late Angus Cloud and the interminably pleasant Kathryn Newton amongst in its heist crew, this horror-comedy is firstly performed for laughs. However the additions of William Catlett as a stoic navy man, Kevin Durand because the muscle, an particularly sinister Dan Stevens, and a quick however vital efficiency from TV star Giancarlo Esposito brings a necessary gravitas to the cutesy premise.
A “Prepared or Not” redux operating on half the steam, this one-location misfire has loads of components that work however its namesake isn’t amongst them. Weir is ok, bringing exact dedication to her ill-conceived position and dancing the hell out a sequence that feels viciously ripped from “M3GAN.” However the stage onto which the actress presents her terribly misbehaved tiny dancer can’t appear to assist the wackiness of what she’s meant to hold.
Sure, “Abigail” was conceived as a brand new tackle “Dracula’s Daughter.” However because the completed product stands, that notorious origin story is as invisible as a vampiric reflection. Not solely is Abigail routinely sidelined by a plot that fails to belief her expertise, however the ostensible underpinnings to her character are as half-assed as one-sided fang. If ballet means something to anybody (and it doesn’t have to however specificity helps), it’s not on show right here. And with neither a strong backstory nor a really satisfying kill to face on, “Abigail” is a far cry from the basic horror motion pictures that includes her dad who truly issues.
That stated, this goopy letdown has lots of the signature beats identified to followers of Radio Silence and, though that has diminishing returns, the encore is value one thing. Not solely does “Abigail” higher outline a filmmaking duo adored by the style, it additionally affords a fairly enjoyable idea with some entertaining one-liners that may get laughs in theaters. These giggles received’t vanquish the annoyance of watching one of many hardest little goblins in showbiz (critically, Weir tries) get wasted on a participation trophy of a film. However with a title that places method an excessive amount of on its starring blood-suckers little shoulders, no less than these humorous components give Abigail an opportunity to gather her flowers.
Grade: C-
Distributed by Common Photos, “Abigail” is in theaters April 19, 2024.