A predictable, yet jumpy and suspenseful horror.
Film: Annabelle Creation
Director: David F Sandburg
Year: 2017
Genre: Horror
Stars: Talitha Bateman Lulu Wilson Stephanie Sigman
Note:
This is a prequel to 3 other films. It's a good idea to watch conjuring 1 & 2 and also the first Annabelle, to really get to grips with this horror as without that background knowledge it may just blend into 'another american horror movie'
The story itself unfolds when a doll maker and his wife open their home to orphans. Due to a tragedy where they lost their daughter,12 years earlier, they wanted to feel love in their homes again. Even if the wife was mysteriously bed bound.
A young nun, sister Charlotte ( Stephanie Sigman) arrives in the home of the doll maker with 6 girls in tow. Overwhelmed by the size of the house the young girls go exploring. All except Janice, a young girl who struggles to walk due to Polio. It's this young girl that appears to be attracting some unwanted attention.
She hobbles around as she is drawn into a game by 'Follow me' notes that are placed under the door. Before long she meets Annabelle.
The set of the film is what you expect for an american horror. A big old house surrounded by fields, does give that air of mystery you would expect to find. The creaky floor boards, doors that shut on their own and those rapid creaking bone movements that make you jump out of your skin, are all packed in and they are pretty good.
However what makes the film is the casting of young janice (Talitha Bateman)and her best friend, fellow orphan, Linds(Lulu Wilson) . Superb acting by the young stars.
Throughout the film their are a lot of jumpy moments and you can watch it with or without the sequels. However, if you watch all you will understand how they all link together and that really is worth the watch. Otherwise it would just be an alright jumpy horror that is slightly predictable at times.
7/10