Abigail: A Bloody Good Time That Almost Stumbles at the Finish Line

Abigail turned out to be one of the most pleasant surprises of the year — a horror-comedy hybrid that balances bloody violence and pitch-black humor with surprising finesse. Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known for Ready or Not and Scream (2022), once again demonstrate their knack for crafting confined, claustrophobic environments brimming with tension.

The movie follows a group of kidnappers who bite off way more than they can chew after abducting a seemingly innocent young girl. Alisha Weir delivers a mesmerizing performance as Abigail, embodying both childlike innocence and terrifying savagery with eerie ease. She’s easily the film’s breakout star, and watching her flip the tables on her captors is both satisfying and chilling.

Dan Stevens is another highlight, chewing up the scenery as the group's unhinged leader. His comedic timing, blended with genuine menace, injects the movie with bursts of dark humor that keep the story lively. The entire ensemble cast turns in solid work, each character distinct enough that you care, at least a little, when the carnage begins.

However, the film’s major flaw lies in its final act. After a tight, tense buildup, the climax drags on longer than necessary, repeating similar beats that sap some of the earlier momentum. The trailer also gave away too many key moments, robbing the movie of potential surprises that would have hit harder had they been experienced fresh.

Still, Abigail succeeds where it counts: it’s fun, it’s gory, and it never takes itself too seriously. It’s a clever remix of vampire lore and home-invasion tropes that delivers plenty of bloody thrills.