The directors of Ready or Not seemingly have another hit on their hands if the early reactions to Abigail are anything to go by.
First screenings have critics calling the film "an abundance of blood, screams, and laughs", saying it features some "wonderful performances" from the ensemble cast made up of Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud and Giancarlo Esposito.
This is the seventh collaboration between the director duo known as Radio Silence, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, whose most recent work includes Scream and Scream VI.
Abigail follows a group of would-be criminals who kidnap the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure. The simple task they must complete to collect a $50 million ransom is to watch her overnight, but it all comes crashing down when they realize that this is no ordinary girl.
Here is what the early reactions are saying.
ABIGAIL is psychotic fun. If you enjoyed Ready or Not, this is definitely for you. An abundance of blood, screams, and laughs. Melissa Barrera is great as always. Dan Stevens genuinely surprised me. Alisha Weir is phenomenal. Can’t wait to watch it again. #Abigail pic.twitter.com/8x0lc5qxTT
— film posers™️ Josie Marie (@TheJosieMarie) April 18, 2024
I had a fun time with #AbigailTheMovie It’s gory, bloody & what you expect from a vampire film. I went to support #MelissaBarrera (and she delivers on every level) but left being a fan of Alisha Weir & Dan Stevens. Wonderful performances all around! Watch it! #FilmTwitter https://t.co/Wk19z48Adr
— Rosa Parra (@rosasreviews) April 18, 2024
ABIGAIL WAS AWESOME!
— Leo Rydel (@GeeklyGoods) April 18, 2024
A brilliant horror comedy with odes to horror before it and memorable cast and characters! Chilling performance by Alisha Weir, AN ICON! It’s an entertaining, thrilling, EXPLOSIVELY BLOODY RIDE that’s well tied into ballet! Bravo, Radio Silence! #Abigail pic.twitter.com/71ey7jf3jR
ABIGAIL is an awesome movie with some hilarious campy horror. It gives READY OR NOT vibes but dialed up another level.
— Joe Aranda (@JoeySpielberg) April 18, 2024
Melissa Barrera’s best performance in a horror movie yet, Alisha Weir becomes a new horror icon (watch out M3GAN), and Dan Steven just being iconic as usual. pic.twitter.com/bujZWskPcq
This is officially an #AbigailTheMovie stan account. THIS is what I wanted from #M3GAN. Literal explosions of blood in between ballet pirouettes. The balance of camp and gore is top tier. Alisha Weir is a horror icon. Radio Silence has done it again — best horror movie of 2024! pic.twitter.com/5XCAgsGRZb
— Kristen Maldonado (@kaymaldo) April 18, 2024
ABIGAIL is a bloody good time at the theatre. The cast has great chemistry and even better comedic timing! It does lose itself at the end and goes the extra mile when it didn’t need to. Dan Stevens and Melissa Barrera are standouts! Shoutout Angus Cloud for being a gem https://t.co/bgKZKGyn2K
— manda (@amxndareviews) April 18, 2024
The first reviews are landing on Rotten Tomatoes, too, and from a selection of 31 critics, the film has landed a fresh rating of 84%.
While not all the reviews are as glowing as the reactions, there's a definite sway towards the positive.
Abigail releases in theaters on April 19.
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