“Annabelle” is creepy fun
By Paul Hall
The films released under the umbrella of The Conjuring universe have been creepy successes. They are the rare blend of scares and story, a higher level of horror frights. Now, with the new addition to that series, Annabelle: Creation, I’m happy to report we get more good creepy fun.
Samuel Mullins (Anthony LaPaglia) is an expert doll maker. He and his wife Esther (Miranda Otto) have one young daughter and when Samuel’s latest doll order is ready to ship, the family looks to be living a dream. But when tragedy strikes, life changes and the Mullinses become reclusive.
Fast forward 12 years and an orphanage led by Sister Charlotte (Stephanie Sigman) is in search of a new home; the Mullinses invite the nun and girls to take up residence with them. The new residents get settled, exploring the house and getting acclimated to some of its nuances. When Janice (Talitha Bateman) is lured to a locked room that she is not supposed to enter, her curiosity takes over. In that room she finds a doll. The doll is both creepy and alluring at the same time. And strange things in the house seem to have a connection to the mysterious object.
As Janice’s best friend in the house, Linda (Lulu Wilson) is on top of it. She immediately believes the strange happenings Janice tells her about and can see some changes. Others in the house also start noticing things and fear strikes all. What is this presence in the Mullins house, and what does it want with them?
Scary films are a lost art form. Most have a tendency to just throw gore at the screen and hope you’ll be afraid. Few can actually get to what scares people. With an origin film like Annabelle: Creation, we actually know where much of it will end so it is the journey that is important. Can the film take us on a journey and actually elicit the scares?
The answer is yes, it can. This film has a slow build to it. It is quiet and reflective and moves in such a way that will have you afraid, and jumping at the appropriate moments. The film feels like a bit of an evil presence in and of itself. That evil feeling allows the film to really get inside the viewer. For those who can couple this with the later films in the Conjuring universe, Creation allows viewers a full and frightening experience.
To fully connect this film with the franchise universe, make sure to stay through the credits for a pair of bonus sequences during and after the credits that will bring much of the fear of The Conjuring to life.
Paul’s Grade: B
Annabelle: Creation
Rated R
Stars: Miranda Otto, Lulu Wilson, Anthony LaPaglia
Director: David F. Sandberg
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