By Gary

A fast paced, gore soaked horror Abigail is a reimagining of the vampire story.

After a group of criminals kidnap the ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, they retreat to an isolated mansion, unaware that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.

The premise is simple, yet enticing as a group of criminals kidnap a little girl who’s the daughter of a powerful underworld figure.

Left with this girl as they prepare to collect the ransom from her father, they eventually find out that this little girl has quite the bite to her, and they must band together if they hope to survive the night together.

Fortunately, this film is a blast and a half. This team have delivered what I’d argue is their best film since Ready Or Not.

The action takes a second as the movie develops its central characters and gives us reasons to know them beyond their Rat Pack-inspired names.

When the blood starts flowing, though, this movie takes off and flies with absolute gusto.

The comedy lands so many times here, and the actual action/gore sequences deliver in spades with the all-star cast excelling.

Melissa Barrera, reuniting with Team Radio Silence after the SCREAM films, shines as the central protagonist.

We feel for her and why she does what she does, especially when we learn of her past.

Dan Stevens is a foul-mouthed scene-stealer in this, and Kathryn Newton has a number of her own moments here. Giancarlo Esposito and the late Angus Cloud do just as well in smaller roles.

The absolute standout, though, is Alisha Weir as the titular vampire. She knocks it out of the park in every scene she’s in, and really makes the whole experience worth it.

After the derivative but mandatory first half hour (criminals showing off, traumatic background stories, pinky swears, …) Abigail turns into a fast-paced and gore-soaked horror crowd pleaser with funny one-liners and superior make-up effects.

The vampires don’t look like traditional counts in cloaks, but more like demons with filthy teeth and blood red eyes.

There are good performances from familiar faces (Kevin Durand, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton) and particularly the young Alisha Weir is impressive as the titular monster in her uncanny ballet dress.

Good splatter fun, nothing more but certainly nothing less.

My Rating: 7/10