When was the last time the mainstream offered up a really great vampire film? I honestly can’t remember (and if there’s anybody reading this who almost suggested a Twilight film, you can show yourself out).
For those of us who love our horror with a little bite, Radio Silence’s Abigail absolutely delivers the goods, and then some.
The film, recently in theatres and now available at home as well, is the story of six criminals who are hired to kidnap Abigail, a 12-year old girl, and keep watch over her for 24 hours. Little do they know who, or what, Abigail is.
While the big reveal is spoilt in the trailers (a questionable decision, to be sure), Abigail is so much fun that it doesn’t matter that we know the film is all about a child vampire, wonderfully played by Alisha Weir. Veering from vulnerable to vicious, Weir gives Abigail a lot of nuance and it’s hard not to find her vampire endearing and heartfelt, at least when she’s not doing vampire stuff.
In fact, all of the performances in Abigail are excellent, including Melissa Barrera’s Joey, who is tasked with looking after Abigail, and Dan Stevens as Frank, the group’s ringleader. Screenwriters Guy Busick and Stephen Shields manage to give all of the criminals unique personalities and backstories that actually lets the audience become invested in them, unlike your typical slasher films where the bodies are simply there to be knocked off. Busick and Shields also give their characters some intelligence, as they confront their situation with logic rather than disbelief. Clearly, these criminals watched some movies.
Along with the solid storytelling and performances, Abigail offers up some deliciously visceral and viscous gore. If you’ve seen  Radio Silence’s (aka Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett) outstanding 2019 film Ready or Not, I’d say you’d be prepared for what’s on screen. If not, well, just enjoy the blood.
As I was watching Abigail, I found myself reminded of one of my all-time favourite vampire films, 1985’s Fright Night. It was the first vamp film I’d seen in the theatre and, at eight years old, it left an indelible mark on me, as it managed to seamlessly mesh humour and horror. Abigail does the same thing, and arguably just as well.
Whether you catch it at home or with an audience on the big screen, Abigail is a top-tier vampire film that fans of blood and blood-suckers will definitely lap up.
