The Stream: Too slow to get to the action and pretty forgettable.

The Big Screen: Filled with over-the-top bloody and gory moments in a well-designed scary mansion.

The Final Bill: An entertainingly gory vampire movie that suffers from few laughs and a boring story.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
Writers: Stephen Shields and Guy Busick
Stars: Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, William Catlett, Kathryn Newton, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, Giancarlo Esposito, Matthew Goode
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Rating: R for strong bloody violence and gore throughout, pervasive language and brief drug use
Runtime: 1 hour 46 minutes
Production Companies: Project X Entertainment, Radio Silence Productions, Wild Atlantic Pictures
Platform: In theaters April 19, 2024
Notable Trailers: The Watchers, Trap, The Fall Guy, Speak No Evil

Hey, Streamers! Are you in the mood for something scary? Are you in the mood for something funny? Well, Abigail is another attempt at the horror comedy genre, particularly focused on the wacky antics of vampires, kind of. Like last year’s movie Renfield, Abigail has a dark subject matter presented with a light tone. Here’s whether this movie is a bloody good time or just sucks.

Abigail is directed by the guys who brought us the recent Scream movies and Ready or Not, so that tells you something. Anyway, in this movie, a rag-tag group of kidnappers, who each are keeping their own secret, abduct a young ballerina named Abigail (Alisha Weir) and demand a ransom of $50 million dollars from her father, who is an underworld kingpin. It turns out, as is spoiled in the trailers, that Abigail isn’t your typical tweenage girl as she has a thirst for blood. The kidnappers led by former police officer, Frank (Dan Stevens), and recovering drug addict, Joey (Melissa Barrera), try to survive a night trapped in a mansion as Abigail stalks her prey. Pirouettes and blood-sucking hijinks ensue.

While Abigail is an entertaining movie, it is just not particularly memorable. The best parts of the movie are spoiled in the trailer such as the reveal of Abigail as the monster. Alisha Weir is very good and fun as the innocent-seeming girl and she leans into the campiness of this ballerina vampire. Unfortunately, it takes about 35 minutes to get to any real action. There’s definitely too much unnecessary set up. I’ll also note that Dan Stevens brings it as usual. He’s unhinged, and it’s great. Kathryn Newton, who plays one of the other kidnappers, has some memorable moments as well. The movie is very gory and it delivers on the kills; however, it is all very expected. There are enough funny moments to satisfy those who like some comedy mixed with their horror. While I enjoyed the movie, I don’t think I will remember it in a week.

Ultimately, Abigail is an entertaining movie that delivers on the gore and some of the comedy. While parts of the plot are spoiled in the trailer, there are enough fun performances and good action sequences to make up for the spoilers. It is fun, shocking and engaging for the most part while also being exactly what you’d expect from this kind of movie. That makes it a little forgettable. Nevertheless, a bowl of popcorn at the theater is good enough for an afternoon watch.