As a hardcore horror fanatic, the prospect of a new blood-soaked cinematic nightmare like “Abigail” has me positively giddy with anticipation. The moment I saw that tickets were already on sale for this Universal Pictures release, I rushed to secure my seat, eager to witness the gory carnage that’s in store.
Just taking a look at the new trailer has my pulse quickening – an “R” rating promising “strong bloody violence and gore throughout, pervasive language and brief drug use” is music to my ears. If there’s one thing I love, it’s a horror movie that doesn’t hold back, and from the looks of it, Abigail is poised to deliver an epic, no-holds-barred bloodbath that will have me squirming in my seat and loving every minute of it.
The premise alone is a deliciously twisted hook – a group of would-be criminals kidnapping the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, only to find themselves trapped in an isolated mansion with a little girl who is decidedly not the helpless victim they expected. I can already envision the carnage unfolding, as these hapless crooks slowly get picked off one by one, realizing to their “mounting horror” that they’re locked in with a pint-sized monster.
What really has me intrigued, though, is the pedigree of talent behind the camera. The directing duo of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, collectively known as Radio Silence, have proven themselves masters of modern horror with their work on films like “Ready or Not” and the recent “Scream” sequels. Pair that with a script co-written by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick, and you’ve got a recipe for a brash, blood-soaked reinvention of the vampire genre.
And the cast – oh, the cast! Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, and a slew of other talented actors playing the doomed kidnappers. But the real wild card here is young Alisha Weir as Abigail herself. I can’t wait to see this up-and-coming actress sink her teeth into what is sure to be a deliciously twisted and complex role, one that will undoubtedly cement her status as a rising star in the horror genre.
April 19th can’t come soon enough, as far as I’m concerned. I’ll be first in line, popcorn and soda in hand, ready to immerse myself in the gory, visceral world of Abigail. This is the kind of horror movie that speaks directly to my twisted sensibilities – one that promises to push the boundaries of good taste and leave me both horrified and exhilarated. Bring on the blood, the scares, and the sheer, unadulterated mayhem. I’m ready to be devoured.
