Annabelle (2014) Review

THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

Everyone knows that the one thing that made The Conjuring so iconic before the consistent dread of Bathsheba was the cold open of the creepy doll Annabelle. Little did anyone expect Warner Bros. to tell its origin, at least part of it before making a trilogy to leave no string attached.


PLOT


The 2014 spinoff takes place long before the nursing student Debbie retrieved the titular doll as a gift from her mother who was unaware of its possession. The story begins in 1970 and follows the happily married couple, John Form who lives in Santa Monica with his pregnant wife Mia. With the latter having a collection of porcelain dolls, he gifts her a rare one meant for their child soon to be born. One night, they hear a home invasion where their neighbors, Pete & Sharon Higgins (Brian Howe & Kerry O’Malley), are murdered by said invaders. The Forms do get attacked by the pair but when the police arrive in time to shoot the male perpetrator, his female partner (Tree O’Toole) takes her life while holding the latest doll in the nursery. When days progress, the news report that the invaders were the Higginses’ estranged daughter Annabelle, who was in a cult with her partner. With her blood dripping on the doll, this indicates its possession unbeknownst to the Forms. A series of paranormal activities occur since to the point where they would move to Pasadena by the time their baby girl Leah is born. Even after John discarded the doll as an act of putting the past behind them, it’s found in one of their boxes and more paranormal events would plague his wife and daughter. When she feels unsure of it all, she takes advice of Father Perez to use their trauma as a strength. Wanting to find a better resolution as the haunting worsens, she contacts Detective Clarkin (Eric Ladin) on more information about Annabelle’s cult; It’s at that point where he explains they intended to summon a demonic spirit. She then reaches out to fellow tenant & bookseller Evelyn for research and they together, they realize the cult successfully summoned a demon after all their worship, which followed them to claim a soul. When returning home, Mia & Leah get attacked by the same demon that reveals itself by manipulating the doll. She & John then tell Father Perez of it and he explains demons will host inanimate objects to achieve their goals, where a human soul must be offered for a purpose. When he collects the doll to get help from Ed & Lorraine Warren, the doll’s evil spirit attacks him. When being checked into a hospital, he warns John that the demon intends to go after his wife. That same night, the demon then possesses the priest to try taking the baby. Catching it in the act, Mia attempts to jump out a window with the doll to save Leah, but Evelyn intervenes and voluntarily sacrifices herself, as an atonement of being responsible for her daughter’s death years prior. With her body lying dead in the road, the doll disappears by the time the Forms look over. Although the family would get to live without worry from then on, the film shows a time jump six months later; Tying into the events of The Conjuring, an antique shop sells the doll to Debbie’s mom as a gift for the former. The film then ends in an epilogue revealing the doll to remain locked away in the Warrens’ artifact room.


THOUGHTS


It is very hard to keep the hype afloat when you get an exact spinoff fans would ask for and follow through. While this wasn't what I was expecting because I was one of few that didn't ask for it, but I respect the will to bank on what can be good. Director John Leonetti and writer Gary Dauberman get the job done in crafting a horror movie that is thrilling for a good half, because most scenes still succeed in catching me off guard. I'm reminded how dangerous it is to work a sewing machine or leave an stove on to make popcorn. But the half that has us connect to the victims oddly slow things down way too much. This movie knows what it is, but I don’t think it takes advantage of its setting to be as relentless as its predecessor. We know the doll is a menace and knowing a fraction of its origin made enough sense to get through the remainder of the runtime, yet I still don’t care like I should. I got nothing against the cast since both Ward Horton & Annabelle Wallis do a great job portraying John & Mia Form as a believable couple to the point you want to root for. Alfre Woodard is also a good standout playing Evelyn as a knowledgeable acquaintance who makes a huge selfless decision that teaches viewers how teamwork betters the chances of faith to triumph evil. While the good message is clear, it all feels forced compared to when we focus on the Warrens and the forced feeling is indeed a factor when looking at both The Nun and The Nun II. Apart from that, there are many aspects of the story that don’t make much sense upon rewatching. For instance, I really don’t believe John heard while Mia has the sewing machine on. I know he’s nervous to become a doctor, but I’d ask for the sewing machine off first if he wants to focus so bad. He also should’ve not told her he’ll behind on rent over buying the doll. He’s lucky she didn’t tell him to get rid of it then and there. And after the incident with Annabelle herself, he could’ve just sold it back if it was so expensive. Then again, Mia should’ve smelt the stove when she was a room away. Next, if the kids in the apartment complex weren’t ghosts since there’s no answer if they were, they should’ve just played near their door to avoid Mia. I know it’s the brother that was strict of the rule and not his sister, and since he was, it’s a surprise he didn’t think of it. Also, if Mia was really scared of the doll, she wouldn’t allow it to be in her baby’s room at all. And I don’t think there was a point for the demon to only attack Father Perez until reaching the church when it could’ve caused a car crash to kill him. If you can ignore these issues though, then you’re more tolerable than I imagined. To wrap up, Annabelle is a weaker entry for the Conjuring franchise due to being far from the magic we felt the first time around. If you like horror movies, good luck with this one.