‘Abigail’ is the latest of Universal Pictures’ monster movies in which a group of kidnappers get their comeuppance when they agree to the wrong job.
There are good and bad surprises in life. There are moments that cause joy or amazement, resulting in a positive response even if the event was unexpected. Then there are shocks and horrors that interrupt even the best laid plans, requiring quick maneuvering or disappointing acceptance. Surprises can range from inconsequential to life-changing or even life-ending, yet they are unavoidable as no one can anticipate everything or even plan for all eventualities. In Abigail, a group of expert criminals are recruited for a 24-hour job that requires each of their unique skills, but no amount of know-how can prepare them for this one.
Six strangers are hired to kidnap the 12-year-old daughter of a rich, anonymous man. Their employer, Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito), will handle the details, but when it’s all over they will each walk away with an equal share of $50 million. The rules state they reveal no personal details with each other or their captive, Abigail (Alisha Weir), so they use fake names inspired by the Rat Pack: Frank (Dan Stevens), Joey (Melissa Barrera), Sammy (Kathryn Newton), Peter (Kevin Durand), Dean (Angus Cloud, who posthumously stars in his final role) and Don Rickles (William Catlett). Except there’s one detail they didn’t anticipate: Abigail is no ordinary ballerina. As their numbers dwindle, the makeshift crew try to remember everything they’ve learned about monsters from movies and sort out implausible fact from fiction.
It felt like a major injustice that the picture’s trailer would reveal such a key plot point, particularly as the film clearly attempts to delay the truth with misdirection and off-screen kills. Horror movies typically rely on the element of surprise, which has been spoiled by movie previews with increasing frequency. It can be difficult to avoid movie ads as they play in so many different places, forming a montage that can often equate to an unwanted capsule of the narrative. Fortunately, this film manages to overcome its spoiler heavy trailer and still entertain audiences.
The picture features a very recognizable cast of criminals with excellent chemistry and unexpected comedic timing that delivers far more laughs than anticipated. The humour is often dark as they find ways to make light of their terminal predicament, relying on the less smart members of their outfit to make funny mistakes or errors in judgement. Yet, the standout performance is given by 14-year-old Weir, who is able to effortlessly transition from a sweet tiny dancer to a smug, mocking opponent who knows far more than her kidnappers would ever believe. Involuntarily trapped together, each of their need’s for self-preservation drive their motivations, whether that means working together or looking out for only themselves.
Consequently, the film exceeds expectations by achieving an entertaining balance between horror, thriller and comedy. It diverts a bit at the end by going a little too over the top, but it’s still a solid outing.
Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
Starring: Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens and Alisha Weir
