My quick rating – 7.2/10. Abigail is a gripping piece of horror that delivers bone-crunching action, a wicked sense of fun, and a surprisingly effective storyline. It’s a film that knows exactly what kind of monster it wants to be—bloody, stylish, and proud of its R-rating. I’ll admit, the trailers had me worried that it might water down the vampire element or lean too hard into camp, but thankfully, that never happens. This one bares its fangs early and doesn’t let go.
The story follows a mismatched group of would-be criminals who kidnap the twelve-year-old daughter of a powerful underworld figure, expecting a quick $50 million ransom. Their job seems simple enough: watch the girl overnight in an isolated mansion until the cash arrives. But things quickly take a turn for the horrifying when the captors begin to vanish one by one. Soon, it becomes clear that they’re trapped inside with something far from an ordinary child, and they’ve bitten off much more than they can chew.
One of Abigail’s strongest qualities is its focus. It never wastes time on unnecessary subplots or forced exposition. Instead, it keeps the pacing tight and the tension steadily climbing as the night spirals out of control. The setup might sound familiar, but the execution is sharp, and the blend of horror, dark humor, and claustrophobic suspense keeps it engaging.
The cast also elevates the material. Melissa Barrera shines as the titular Abigail, effortlessly shifting from eerie innocence to feral menace in the blink of an eye. She commands every scene she’s in and gives the vampire angle the punch it needs. Dan Stevens turns in a slick, delightfully sinister performance as the group’s ringleader, channeling the same twisted charm he brought to Cuckoo, and maybe turning it up another notch. Their dynamic adds real energy to the film’s more chaotic moments.
The sound design deserves a special nod, with its exaggerated bone-crunching effects that make every impact feel brutally real. Each hit, slam, or throw has weight behind it—you don’t just watch the violence, you feel it. Combined with a clever sense of timing and a dash of dark humor, it makes Abigail both gruesome and entertaining.
By the time the blood-soaked finale hits, the film has fully embraced its own madness, and it’s a blast to watch. Abigail never tries to be profound—it just wants to thrill and entertain, succeeding on all counts.
Overall, Abigail is a slick and savage horror-thriller that balances gore and humor with confidence. It’s feral and unapologetically fun—a reminder that vampire films can still feel fresh when they’re done with this much bite.
