Abigail Review: Though it’s disappointing that Radio Silence Productions—Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett, and Chad Villella—won’t complete their Scream trilogy, horror enthusiasts will find solace in films like Abigail.
In their first original horror film since 2019’s Ready or Not, Radio Silence turns their self-aware gaze to the vampire genre with Abigail, delivering one of the bloodiest movies of 2024 and one of the year’s most blood-soaked entertainments.
It’s almost regrettable that the initial trailer revealed the film’s major twist, as the movie takes its time to unfold it. If you’re not familiar with the twist, we’d suggest stopping here (bookmark this to return later) and experiencing the film firsthand.
What you need to know is that if you enjoyed their previous work, including their segments in the V/H/S series, Abigail continues their trademark mix of meta humor, gory set pieces, and twists that play with classic horror tropes.
The film begins with a group of shady characters, led by Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito), kidnapping the titular 12-year-old girl (Matilda the Musical’s Alisha Weir) from her home after ballet practice.
They bring her to a secluded mansion, where they must stay for 24 hours to collect a $50 million ransom from her father. The plan seems straightforward until one of them is found decapitated.
Because Abigail is no ordinary girl—she’s a vampire, or as Sammy (Kathryn Newton) describes her, a “ballerina vampire.”
Before the blood starts to flow freely, the writers (Stephen Shields, who co-wrote 2019’s The Hole in the Ground, and regular Radio Silence collaborator Guy Busick) spend time establishing the criminal gang.
The dynamics are quickly set once Abigail is locked up in her temporary quarters. Joey (Melissa Barrera) serves as the ‘hero,’ trying to prevent the others from harming Abigail, while Frank (Dan Stevens) plays the ‘villain,’ willing to do anything for the ransom.
In the middle are hacker Sammy, ex-army member Rickles (William Catlett), stoner driver Dean (the late Angus Cloud), and muscle Peter (Kevin Durand). Though none are particularly good people, the talented cast makes you almost want to spend a night with them—despite the risk of having your wallet stolen.
If you already know Abigail’s true identity, the attempts to build suspense may feel less effective. You’ll be waiting for the gore to start, and once the first act concludes, Radio Silence delivers.
From Ready or Not, we know the filmmakers enjoy spectacularly violent scenes, and they push the envelope further here with impressive practical effects. The film is so drenched in blood that you might feel the cinema carpet squelching as you leave.
Like Ready or Not and their Scream films, Radio Silence isn’t focused on scaring you but rather on providing a great time. While there are some jump scares early on, this is more of a crowd-pleasing horror film that toys with genre conventions much like Abigail plays with her prey.
Surprises and Twists Await: Abigail Delivers a Bloody Good Time Despite Spoilers
With pop-culture references and self-aware humor, Abigail offers a fresh take on vampire movie clichés. When she reveals her true nature, the film features a standout scene where traditional vampire deterrents—stakes, garlic, and crosses—don’t quite perform as expected.
Alisha Weir’s performance is central to the film’s success. She’s convincing both as a frightened 12-year-old and as a graceful predator, with her quick shifts in demeanor and tone making the film its most chilling.
It’s challenging to add a unique twist to the legacy of iconic vampires, but Abigail is a memorable character brought to life superbly by Weir.
Despite the seemingly revealing trailer, there are still surprises and twists in store as the story doesn’t unfold as anticipated.
While there may be scarier horror movies this year, Abigail might just end up being the most enjoyable by the year’s end.