Summary

• Radio Silence's Abigail reinvigorates the vampire subgenre with its unique gore and humor.
• The film features compelling characters and family-centric themes.
• Abigail delivers an effective ending with incredible performances by leads Alisha Weir and Melissa Barrera.

Abigail – and her father – are more dangerous than they thought.

The story establishes that the 12-year-old is no normal girl, and Abigail is no normal vampire movie. Many have tried to update Dracula and vampire lore, one that still carries meaning and novelty, but none have done so as masterfully as Radio Silence. What's accomplished with Abigail is a marvel, and Radio Silence recruits some of the greatest horror actors of their generation to bring to life a reluctant, eccentric team of soon-to-be vampire fighters. The film balances scares and laughs with pitch-perfect timing, creating one of the smartest, most inventive vampire movies in decades.

Radio Silence... has created one of the smartest, most inventive vampire movies in decades

Abigail Is A Gory & Joke-Filled Crowd-Pleaser

Radio Silence reinvigorates the vampire subgenre with plenty of blood & laughs

From giving audiences compelling new heroes to root for, to using gallons of blood for gory kill scenes, and crafting horrifyingly hilarious villains, Radio Silence brings not just one of the most fun movies of the year, but also one of the best crowd-pleasing horror entries in recent memory. Abigail is the perfect example of why we go to the movies: Jaw-dropping gore and effects, thrilling and unexpected performances, moments that make us jump, shocking twists, and an unforgettable ending are all present and tick the boxes of what makes an incredible popcorn flick.

Abigail is the perfect example of why we go to the movies...

Abigail successfully distinguishes itself from the genre fare that preceded it. Our knowledge of a typical horror movie doesn't give us a leg up in the characters’ efforts to survive being prey. Rather, we’re also in the dark about how to take on Abigail as they are. While the influence of movies like The Lost Boys and From Dusk Till Dawn is apparent, Abigail expertly honors what came before while simultaneously flipping vampire subgenre tropes and audience expectations on their heads. In doing so, Abigail effectively cements itself as the most inventive Universal Monsters movie since 2020's The Invisible Man.

Abigail Has Compelling Characters & Performances In Its "Horror Breakfast Club"

Cast performances, character building, and family-centric themes give Abigail an effective story

Of course, while certain figures could have used more exposition as the events unfolded, Abigail doesn’t work without the captivating chemistry of the actors and characters in what has been described as “The Horror Breakfast Club.” Melissa Barrera and Dan Stevens give knockout performances as they further solidify their status as a beloved Scream Queen and King.

Lisa Frankenstein's Kathryn Newton earned some of the greatest laughs in a standout role that may be unexpected after her past outings in the genre. Meanwhile, Kevin Durand and the late Angus Cloud are hilarious in every scene they appear in as they play with classic character tropes, and William Catlett commands the screen as a necessary complement to Barrera’s Abigail character.

the name Alisha Weir, whose performance shows horror range and versatility. Weir is not only incredibly terrifying and sincere in Abigail’s more frightening moments, but she also has a unique physical presence that harmonizes with her outstanding comedic timing and wit – whether it be ballet dances, charged attacks on potential victims, or biting insults. It’s easy to forget that Abigail is a 12-year-old girl when Weir proves to have the most commanding presence in a room filled with alleged criminal masterminds, which is a testament to her undeniable talent.

Weir is not only incredibly terrifying and sincere in Abigail’s more frightening moments, but she also has a unique physical presence that harmonizes with her outstanding comedic timing and wit.

Abigail Sticks The Landing With Its Family Themes & Final Shocks

The movie earns its ending with an effective overarching message

Only a few characters are given deeper backstories and emotional arcs throughout the film, with Weir’s Abigail having the most rich, complex history and motivations of the bunch. Radio Silence effectively utilizes Weir’s Abigail and Barrera’s Joey to tell a timeless familial story that packs a punch throughout the movie’s various expository beats. Though certain twists and character choices have more merit than others, Abigail takes the time to earn its satisfying ending in a way that honors its messages about family and ability, staying true to the main characters while leaving us wanting more.

Abigail solidifies Radio Silence as a powerful force in reinvigorating the horror genre with smart, fun, and incredibly comedic stories and concepts. By the movie’s final act, Abigail makes her case as a contender for the horror genre’s Mt. Rushmore of Evil Children alongside the likes of Damien, M3GAN, Regan, Esther, and Isaac. With such a fresh take on the monster class after already making waves with black comedy survival horrors and slashers, Abigail stamps Radio Silence – and three-time collaborator Melissa Barrera – as staples of the genre.

Abigail premiered at the 2024 Overlook Film Festival. It will release in theaters on April 19.