'Annabelle: Creation' Review

Introduction

If you've been keeping up with The Conjuring universe, you'll know that Annabelle, the creepy doll, made her first appearance in The Conjuring movies. Annabelle: Creation serves as a prequel to the Annabelle film that came out in 2013. Unlike the first Annabelle movie, which was not well received by fans and critics alike despite its box office success, Annabelle: Creation aims to redeem the sub-franchise in the same way that "Ouija: Origin of Evil" did for that series.

Directed by David Sandberg

David Sandberg, known for his work on "Lights Out," directed Annabelle: Creation. Given his credentials, many had high hopes for this movie. Sandberg's film "Lights Out" was a well-received horror that did not rely heavily on genre tropes. Therefore, when it was announced that he would direct Annabelle: Creation, it generated some optimism.

Plot Overview

The story follows a group of orphans who move in with a couple who have suffered the devastating loss of their daughter years ago. From the onset, things are clearly not as they seem. The orphan girls, primarily two young friends played by Lulu Wilson and another young actress, create a compelling dynamic that draws viewers in, especially as they navigate their new, eerie home.

Praiseworthy Elements

• Characters: The young protagonists are endearing, making the viewer care about their fate. Their believable friendship and genuine fear elevate the tension in the movie.

• Cinematography and Direction: Sandberg excels in building suspense through clever camera work. The doll, Annabelle, while not moving, creates an ominous presence just by appearing in the background of scenes. This subtlety works in favor of building a creepy atmosphere.

• First-Half Tension: The opening half of the film is filled with mind games and foreboding dread. The highlight is the set pieces involving the orphans' exploration of their new haunted home.

Areas for Improvement

• Second-Half Tone Shift: The movie's second half focuses on action and gore, which feels like a departure from the suspenseful first half. While the initial tension was built on psychological horror, the latter half leans toward slasher territory.

• Character Inconsistency: At times, the reactions of the young characters to horrific events are not believable. The inconsistency in their portrayals can pull the viewer out of the otherwise immersive experience.

• Monster Reveal: The demon’s reveal and actions become predictable, diluting the atmosphere built earlier. A bit more subtlety would have served the film better.

Final Thoughts

Annabelle: Creation is a vast improvement over its predecessor and brings some redeemable qualities back to the Annabelle sub-series. With excellent direction by David Sandberg and a cast that delivers, it’s a decent addition to The Conjuring universe. Though the movie does have some shortcomings, such as character consistency and a tone shift in the second half, it still manages to bring thrills and chills, especially for fans of horror and The Conjuring series.

If you are a fan of The Conjuring franchise, this film is worth a watch. It sets up for future films nicely, even teasing a backstory for the demon nun introduced in The Conjuring 2.

Keywords

• Annabelle
• David Sandberg
• Conjuring Universe
• Horror
• Lulu Wilson
• Suspense
• Demon Nun
• Prequel
• Psychological Horror

FAQ

Q: Who directed Annabelle: Creation? A: David Sandberg, who previously directed "Lights Out."

Q: What is Annabelle: Creation about? A: The film follows a group of orphans who move in with a couple dealing with the loss of their own daughter. Soon, they find out that their new home hides dark secrets.

Q: How does Annabelle: Creation connect to The Conjuring Universe? A: Annabelle: Creation serves as a prequel within The Conjuring Universe. It aims to explain the backstory of the doll seen in the original Conjuring movies.

Q: What sets the first half of the movie apart from the second half? A: The first half is filled with psychological suspense and tension, whereas the second half shifts towards action and gore.

Q: Is Annabelle: Creation better than its predecessor? A: Yes, it is considered a significant improvement over the first Annabelle movie, both in terms of direction and storytelling.

Q: Are there cheap jump scares in Annabelle: Creation? A: While the movie does have some jump scares, they are generally well executed and not overly relied upon.