Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

Review:
Annabelle Comes Home, directed by Gary Dauberman, is the third installment in the Annabelle franchise, which is part of the Conjuring universe. The film takes place shortly after the events of the first Annabelle movie, following the terrifying doll as it wreaks havoc in the home of Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga). When the Warrens leave town for a case, they entrust their daughter, Judy (Mckenna Grace), and two babysitters, Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman) and Daniela (Katie Sarife), with staying in their house, unaware that their curiosity will unleash the demonic forces lurking within the Warren’s occult artifacts room.

Annabelle Comes Home is a suspenseful and well-crafted horror film that taps into the rich mythology of The Conjuring universe. The film follows the traditional haunted house formula, but it distinguishes itself by focusing on the eerie, supernatural elements rather than relying on excessive gore or jump scares. This makes it a more atmospheric and tension-filled experience, building unease through subtle details and creepy imagery, particularly around the cursed Annabelle doll itself.

One of the film’s key strengths is its ability to weave the larger Conjuring universe into the story while still standing on its own. References to Ed and Lorraine Warren, as well as other supernatural artifacts and entities from previous films, help tie Annabelle Comes Home into the wider mythology. However, the film doesn’t overburden the audience with fan service, making it accessible to those who may not be familiar with the Conjuring films. This works well for newcomers while still providing enough intrigue for long-time fans of the franchise.

The performances in Annabelle Comes Home are solid, particularly from the young cast. Mckenna Grace, as Judy, delivers a standout performance, capturing the vulnerability and strength of a young girl who is forced to confront the terrifying legacy of her parents’ work. Madison Iseman, as Mary Ellen, provides a relatable and likable presence, balancing the horror with moments of warmth. Katie Sarife’s Daniela, on the other hand, serves as the film’s catalyst for much of the horror, driven by guilt and curiosity. Her actions, though understandable, lead to disastrous consequences, and Sarife gives a convincing performance of someone grappling with both grief and fear.

The film also excels in creating an atmosphere of dread. The design of the Warrens’ house and the iconic room filled with cursed objects adds a layer of unease, making every corner of the house feel ominous. The cursed artifacts, each with its own dark history, contribute to the feeling that something malevolent is always lurking just out of sight. The sense of claustrophobia and confinement in the house heightens the stakes, as the characters are trapped within the walls of a place that is slowly being overtaken by evil forces. The eerie noises, shadowy corners, and oppressive atmosphere build tension without relying too heavily on gore or graphic violence.

While Annabelle Comes Home is not as deeply terrifying as some of its predecessors, it does manage to maintain a steady level of suspense throughout. The scares are often effective, relying on creepy, supernatural elements like moving objects, haunted items, and ominous apparitions, rather than relying on constant jump scares. The film builds tension by allowing its horror to slowly creep into everyday life, turning mundane objects and settings into sinister symbols of terror.

The film’s climax, set in the Warrens’ basement, offers a thrilling and high-stakes final act, filled with multiple confrontations with the various evil forces the characters encounter. The intense scenes involving the doll and the demonic entities work well to ramp up the stakes, even as the narrative becomes more chaotic and the tension escalates. The pacing, while a bit slower in the middle act, picks up dramatically in the final sequences, bringing the film to a satisfying and chilling conclusion.

In conclusion, Annabelle Comes Home is a strong, atmospheric entry in the Conjuring universe that blends supernatural horror with a coming-of-age story. It expertly creates a creeping sense of dread through its use of setting, character interactions, and tension, making it a worthy addition to the franchise. While it may not offer the same level of intensity or dread as The Conjuring or Annabelle: Creation, it is a highly effective and enjoyable horror film that builds upon the legacy of its predecessors. If you’re a fan of the Conjuring series, you’ll appreciate the connection to the wider universe, but even newcomers to the franchise will find Annabelle Comes Home to be a creepy and entertaining horror experience.