FOR THE SAKE OF THE MOVIE AVOID TRAILERS AT ALL COSTS!
Abigail is a heist movie turned murder mystery turned survival thriller. A ragtag troupe is tasked with abducting a child from an incredibly affluent man to blackmail him to the sum of 50 million dollars. The sick twist occurs when the driver after imbibing himself in alcohol and marijuana takes getting headless a little too literally. Abigail is in the same vein as The Good Son, The Children, and Sinister where the big bag comes in a not-so-big shell.
Alisha Weir is back on screen for the third year in a row. Bringing her talent in dancing and acting from her debut in Matilda, she plays the role of the film’s namesake Abigail. Her performance brings horror and delight, Weir’s physicality and movement in her choreography were simply haunting. This budding performer has an incredibly demanding presence on screen that you can’t keep your eyes off of. Out of fear or wonder that is for you to learn.
Melissa Barrera plays Joey, the coolheaded, protagonist badass with a motherly soft spot. She plucks at the viewer’s heartstrings and sympathy throughout the film and you can’t help but root for her. I had to restrain myself from shouting “Get that bitch!” a protagonist that we can all get behind.
Sammy, the tech-savvy hacker with a blase attitude Kathryn Newton brings a lot of depth to the character. Showing the character growth from a bright-eyed bushy-tailed ignorant girl that quickly gets shaken to the core.
The gentle giant Kevin Durand plays Peter, did somebody day perfect casting? It’s nice to see Durand step into a less serious role within this film. Playing the loveable, yet mentally stunted muscle Peter is incredibly endearing. What’s amazing is how Durand embodies the clear trauma that Peter has been through and overcome employing the Hulk method, SMASH!
I’ve always got a soft spot for Dan Stevens, this film may harden that a little; he can’t stop bringing a certain je ne sais quoi to his roles that make movies memorable. Within Abigail Stevens is Frank an absolute prick who has a constant need for control and to be in charge. Frank is only in it for himself with an unparalleled desire for self-preservation.
William Catlett who I recognised as Lala from Black Lightening, plays Rickles. The lookout and sniper with a military background, Rickles keeps his cards close to his chest. He’s got a personal code due to who he lets in within the film.
The man, the myth, the legend Giancarlo Esposito plays Lambert the orchestrator of the kidnapping, though his time on screen is short he continues to have a presence throughout the film that comes into question.
Last but certainly not least is Angus Cloud as Dean. Being the final film that he was a part of before his unfortunate passing in 2023, Cloud’s performance was perfect. The mumbling thug with a jaded past Dean still brings a lot of humor to the film. Reminiscent of the thoughtless friend who will pine endlessly after the nearest cute blonde Cloud’s performance blew my head off its pedestal.
The setting of the film is a dilapidated hunter’s mansion with haunting hallways and grandiose libraries, trophy rooms, smokers’ lounge with a pool table. As the film progresses you constantly feel lost constantly discovering new rooms, hallways, nooks and crannies which adds to the unease felt throughout the movie. This was amplified by the use of sound throughout the movie. I could not sit still for more than thirty seconds. Though the shots weren’t dynamic that didn’t mean that they weren’t impactful.
Abigail finds the perfect balance of building tension, jumpscares and laughs. This has the taste of a cult classic, a one-shot that needs no sequel as it can be enjoyed just as much the third time as the first. This thriller brings fun and entertainment to horror while keeping the watcher on the edge of their seat.
OUR RATING:
4/5
