Rating: ★★★1/2☆ (3.5/5 stars)
Released 06-26-2019
Watched 09-16-2023
Reviewed 09-19-2023
Available to Buy or Rent
"Everything you see in here is either haunted, cursed, or has been used in some kind of ritualistic practice."
"Annabelle Comes Home" presents itself as the next chapter in the eerie tapestry of the Conjuring universe, and for fans and newcomers alike, there's a mix of genuine thrills and familiar horror beats to digest. The film commendably leverages its setting - the Warrens' artifact room - which teems with cursed and haunted objects, introducing an array of sinister possibilities. It's like a Pandora's box of horror, and when it's opened, the suspense is tangible.
The performances, especially from Mckenna Grace as Judy Warren, shine through, giving the audience characters they can root for amidst the ever-growing peril. The film makes an effort to establish emotional arcs, particularly around themes of teenage responsibility and the angst of growing up, which adds a layer of depth often absent in many horror spin-offs.
However, for seasoned horror aficionados, some of the scares may feel derivative, drawing heavily from the established tropes of the genre. At times, it becomes more of a haunted house carnival ride, bouncing from one spook to the next without giving any one entity or threat time to marinate and truly terrify. While this ensures that there's never a dull moment, it can occasionally feel a tad overwhelming.
In all, "Annabelle Comes Home" is a fun, if somewhat predictable, romp through a haunted night at the Warrens. It offers enough chills for a casual scare but might not leave a lasting impression on those looking for groundbreaking horror. It's a solid entry into the Conjuring universe, even if it doesn't necessarily rise to the same heights as its predecessors.
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