30 Jan Annabelle Review

Before there was The Conjuring, there was Annabelle…

Looking for a few thrills and chills this cold, winter weekend? Look no further than our latest Warner Bros. release, Annabelle. A prequel to the 2013 hit, The Conjuring, Annabelle tells the story of a young couple and the horrifying, supernatural presence that’s haunting them. When we first meet John and Mia, they seem to be the picture perfect couple. With a baby on the way and John’s medical career beginning to take off, the two are looking toward a bright future. When John buys Mia , Annabelle, the vintage doll she is missing from her growing collection, she is overjoyed with the thought of adding it to their nursery. Their dream quickly becomes a nightmare when one night, a young man and woman break into their home and attempt to brutally murder them in the name of satanic ritual. Though the couple walks away relatively unscathed, Mia is troubled by the blood spilled and worries for the safety of her newborn daughter. She soon begins to experience unexplainable hauntings in their home, hauntings connected to Annabelle. Possessed by the evil spirit of the cult that once terrorized the family, Annabelle wreaks havoc on Mia and her daughter. Mia must find a way to banish Annabelle’s demon before it’s too late.

Annabelle draws much of its inspiration from its predecessors. While it would certainly be a stretch to call it a wholly “original” horror flick, the film delivers enough scares to entertain. As is the case with most horror films, plot and story arc are secondary in Annabelle. Paramount is its ability to create and build suspense, often aided by music and lighting. Annabelle achieves this with help from its performers, namely leading lady, Annabelle Wallis, and veteran actress Alfre Woodard, who plays her concerned friend, Evelyn. These elements combine to form a well-constructed thriller that will please fans of the genre.

Watch Annabelle on FlixFling now.

This guest blog was written by Colleen Shields.