As the demand for originality in film increases, Universal’s new monster horror feature “Abigail” offers audiences an experience that takes inspiration from a loved genre and flips it on its head.

“Abigail” starts as an abduction film with five criminals hired to kidnap a young ballerina dancer and daughter of a very wealthy man by the name of Abigail for their piece of $50 million. As the story unfolds, it takes a bloody turn as the kidnappers discover that not only is Abigail’s father a dangerous drug lord, but that the girl is also a vampire.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, film-making team and founders of Radio Silence Productions, directed the twisted take on vampire horror. Radio Silence is responsible for the creation of modern horror movie classics, including “Ready or Not” and “Scream” (2022). Olpin and Gillett have garnered rave reviews for their innovative takes on horror while also paying homage to the genre they greatly respect.

“Abigail” is no different, offering thrilling and gruesome kills that will make moviegoers' stomachs turn. The twists will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, and the cinematography is both eerie and beautiful, mainly when Alisha Weir, the actress who plays Abigail, displays her dancing skills. The film takes inspiration from the Universal horror classic “Dracula’s Daughter” and ends with a possible Dracula cameo.

It would be remiss not to mention that, despite only having a small role, this performance was Angus Cloud’s final performance before his untimely death. In his performance, he demonstrates why people fell in love with him in the first place: simply because of his charisma and exuberant nature.

Melissa Barrera, the lead alongside Weir, carries her weight by playing a complex character. Barrera had previously worked with Radio Silence when she portrayed the lead for “Scream” (2022) and “Scream 6” (2023), both directed by the production company. Barrera has been criticized for her acting abilities in the past for her performance in “Scream” (2022), saying her co-star Jenna Ortega, who is undoubtedly a future Oscar winner, overshadowed her. However, Barrera shows clear improvement and solidifies her “scream queen” status as she takes on the role of Joey, a single mother who struggles with addiction. Seeing Olpin and Gillett take Barrera under their wings is incredibly heart-warming as she skyrockets into stardom.

The film does contain a few flaws: the dialogue can be cringe at points, and the jokes don’t always land.

“Abigail” does not reinvent the genre by any means, but it's refreshing to witness original concepts in an era so consumed by remakes and reboots. Hopefully, if there is a sequel, improvements can be made to what was previously lacking in this original film.

Overall, “Abigail” is an awesome movie to take friends and family to that doesn’t require much thought. Despite some failed jokes, the film is spunky, and the final act is a nail-biter.

Abigail is out now in theaters.

Featured