Abigail (2024) #497

 

“Abigail” quietly hit the theaters for a few weeks before becoming available on streaming and digital purchase. Much like other films after Covid, its theatrical run was limited but it still managed to build up some notice. It’s a quirky little film about an anonymous group of paid specialists on a job to kidnap and ransom the daughter of some ultra rich businessman. Details of who she is are left vague but all these six specialists need to do is keep the girl safe for 12 hours and then walk away with a $50 million payday. Seems fine until they begin to be killed by an unseen foe...

Melissa Barrera, best known for her roles in "Scream" and "Scream 6", leads the cast as Joey, a former army medic and recovering drug addict. She is one of six specialists, all who are using fake names to keep their anonymity from each other. Other roles include a marine sniper, an ex-cop, a getaway driver, and so forth. Joey becomes hesitant when the target is revealed to be a child but promises to keep the girl safe while she is with them. In return, haunting and ominous, Abigail merely states that her father doesn't care about her and that she's sorry for what is going to happen to them. The group soon finds out that they've kidnapped the daughter of a godlike crime lord, and their chances of pulling of this ransom are highly unlikely. Before anyone can leave the remote mansion, they are using as a hideout, they find that they are locked in and unable to escape.

After the driver is killed by an unseen assailant, paranoia grows as the remaining five strangers point fingers at each other. When the sniper is found mutilated a short time later, the crew goes to Abigal to demand answers. This in when Abigail reveals her true nature as a vampire and attacks her kidnappers. They try to fight back with classic vampire weapons, all of which seem useless against her speed and agility. Joey is able to use a tranquilizer, the same one she used Abigail during the kidnapping, and this works long enough to lock her in a cage. While in the cage, Abigail reveals that she knows who each one of them is and it was her plan to lure them here in revenge for wronging her father, hoping that such an act will get his attention.

Double crossing, turning in vampires, domination, and sunlight are all a part of the narrative as Joey tries to survive the night. When Abigail's father finally shows up, will Abigail be happy or will there be hell to pay for the disruption? Will Joey escape or become the newest member of the family, or dinner?

"Abigail" is a fun thrill ride brought to life by two horror film directors, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet, known for "V/H/S", "Southbound" and "Ready or Not", among others. It's a solid vampire movie and is worth a watch during the Halloween season.