Abigail (2024 film): Difference between revisions

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| language = English
| language = English
| budget = $28 million<ref name="Variety-Proj" />
| budget = $28 million<ref name="Variety-Proj" />
| gross = $1 million <ref>https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Abigail-(2024)#tab=box-office</ref>
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Revision as of 18:59, 19 April 2024

Not to be confused with Abigail (2023 film).

Abigail
An overhead view of a young girl in white ballerina outfit, the dress is soaked in blood.
Theatrical release poster
Directed by
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAaron Morton
Edited byMichael Shawver[1]
Music byBrian Tyler
Production
companies
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release dates
Running time
109 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$28 million[3]
Box office$1 million [4]

Abigail is a 2024 American monster horror film[5] directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett from a screenplay written by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick. Based on and a reimagining of the 1936 Universal Classic Monsters film Dracula's Daughter, the film stars Alisha Weir as the eponymous daughter of Count Dracula, alongside Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Will Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, and Giancarlo Esposito.

A reboot of Dracula's Daughter was announced to be in development in April 2023, with Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett attached as directors, and Shields and Busick hired to write the screenplay. It was also announced that the film would be a co-production between Bettinelli-Olpin, Gillett, and Chad Villella's Radio Silence Productions, James Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein, and William Sherak's Project X Entertainment, and Tripp Vinson's Vinson Films. Barrera was cast that same month, with Weir, Stevens, Newton, Durand, Cloud, and Catlett hired the next month, and Esposito rounding out the main cast in June.

Principal photography began that month in Dublin, Ireland, but was suspended at the beginning of July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Filming resumed at the end of that month and wrapped in December. This was the last film that Cloud worked on during his lifetime, as he died on July 31, 2023, shortly after wrapping his scenes; the film is dedicated to him. Brian Tyler, a frequent collaborator of Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett, was hired to compose and conduct the film's score.

Abigail had its world premiere at the Overlook Film Festival on April 7, 2024, and was theatrically released by Universal Pictures in the United States on April 19, 2024.

Plot

Six individuals capture the ballet dancer Abigail, the daughter of a powerful underworld figure within New York, and bring her to a secluded mansion. The group, led by informant Lambert, is told not to disclose any personal information. Using aliases derived from the Rat Pack, the group consists of former Army medic and recovering drug addict Joey; former NYPD detective Frank; wealthy hacker Sammy; sociopathic driver Dean; Marine sniper Rickles; and Canadian mob enforcer Peter. After 24 hours, each will receive a $7 million check so long as they complete the only task: ensuring Abigail's safety. Joey is sent to watch over Abigail and, as they bond, reveals that she has a son. As Joey leaves, Abigail warns her about what will transpire during the night.

After Dean unsuccessfully flirts with Sammy, he enters the basement and is dragged away by an unseen assailant. Sammy hears his screams but only finds a headless corpse. The group suspect that Abigail's father is Kristof Lazar, a feared crime-lord. Rickles tries to leave, but the home's security system activates and bars them inside. As they look for another way out, Rickles is mauled to death. Frank confronts Abigail and demands to know who her father is. Abigail suddenly transforms into a vampire, causing the group to run away in terror.

Distressed, the group discusses how to kill Abigail, as gunshots don't harm her. The four find Abigail dancing with Dean's body and use garlic, stakes, and crosses, but each prove unsuccessful. They regroup once more, and Joey suggests using the tranquilizer Lambert had given them earlier for the kidnapping. They split up again and Sammy falls into a swimming pool filled with Abigail's former victims - proving that the ransom plan was all an elaborate trap. The four manage to find Abigail and tranquilize her, though not before she manages to bite Sammy.

Upon awakening, Abigail reveals each kidnapper's identity and backstory. They leave Frank in charge of watching her; Abigail easily breaks out of her makeshift cage and starts choking him. Joey rips wooden planks off a window and exposes her to sunlight, which turns out to be her weakness. With only hours left before nightfall, the group splits up to find a way out. Sammy suddenly turns into a vampire and feeds on Peter before killing him. She then attacks Frank and Joey, the latter of whom is able to destroy her with reflected sunlight.

Hoping to deactivate the security measures, Joey and Frank find the mansion's control room, where they run into Lambert. Lambert explains that he is also a vampire, having been turned by Abigail for betraying her father. Frank allows himself to get bitten, stakes Lambert, and overpowers Abigail before drinking her blood, enhancing his new abilities. He then tells Joey that he intends to turn her into a vampire after biting her.

Joey resists Frank's control and teams up with Abigail, eventually managing to stake him. With Frank dead, Joey is free from the vampire's curse. She begins to leave, but Abigail's father enters. He threatens her, but when Abigail stands up to him and reveals that she saved her life, he relents and permits her to leave. Joey departs the estate to find her son, treating herself to a lollipop.

Cast

Production

Development

In April 2023, it was reported that Radio Silence Productions was developing a monster thriller film for Universal Pictures, with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett attached to direct, with Chad Villella serving as producer alongside William Sherak, Paul Neinstein and James Vanderbilt at Project X Entertainment, while Stephen Shields and Guy Busick would write the screenplay. The project was stated to be a modern-day adaptation of one of the Universal Classic Monsters characters similar in approach to The Invisible Man (2020) or Renfield (2023), with the synopsis being described as "a unique take on legendary monster lore and will represent a fresh, new direction for how to celebrate classic characters". Originally intended to be Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett's next project following the release of the fifth Scream installment, the duo delayed its realization until after Scream VI.[12]

The project was later stated to have originally been titled Dracula's Daughter, the same name as the 1936 film upon which it is based;[8] with Universal restating that while they had considered a singular continuity with The Mummy (2017), each release will continue to be "rooted in the horror genre, with no restrictions on budget, rating or genre. They are not part of a shared interconnected universe, which allows each film to stand on its own. This new direction is filmmaker-driven, inviting innovative filmmakers with original, bold ideas for these characters to develop the stories and pitch them."[6][8][7][10] The film was officially titled Abigail in January 2024.[13]

Casting

In April 2023, Melissa Barrera was cast one of the main roles of the film after previously appearing in the filmmaking duo's Scream films.[6] The following month, Dan Stevens, Kevin Durand, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, Angus Cloud, and Will Catlett joined the cast.[7][10][8][9] In June 2023, it was announced that Giancarlo Esposito was cast in a supporting role.[11] Weir, known for her role as Matilda Wormwood in the 2022 Netflix musical film, was later revealed to be playing Dracula's daughter.[14]

Filming

Principal photography began on June 30, 2023, in Dublin, Ireland,[15] under the working title Abducting Abigail,[16] but filming was suspended in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[17] Aaron Morton serves as the cinematographer.[18] Cloud finished filming his scenes prior to his death on July 31, 2023.[19] Filming wrapped on December 15 of the same year.[20]

Music

Brian Tyler composed the film's score; he collaborated with Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett on prior projects.[21]

Release

Abigail had its world premiere at the Overlook Film Festival on April 7, 2024,[22] and was released by Universal Pictures in the United States on April 19, 2024.[9]

Reception

Box office

In the United States and Canada, Abigail will be released alongside The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare and Spy × Family Code: White, and is projected to gross $12–15 million from 3,300 theaters in its opening weekend.[3]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 81% of 91 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10. The website's consensus reads: "Carrying off well-worn vampire tropes with a balletic flourish, Abigail dances around the familiarity of its premise with a game cast and slick style."[23] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 62 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[24]

Tim Robey of The Telegraph awarded the movie four stars out of five, saying: "Alisha Weir goes impressively off the deep end in this horror-thriller about six criminals who get more than they bargained for."[25]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Abigal Production Information". Universal Pictures. Getty Images. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
  2. ^ "Abigail (18)". BBFC. April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Rubin, Rebecca (April 17, 2024). "Box Office: Dracula's Daughter 'Abigail' Tries to Take a Bite Out of 'Civil War' With $12 Million Debut". Variety. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  4. ^ https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Abigail-(2024)#tab=box-office
  5. ^ Noraas, Dana (January 17, 2024). "'Abigail': Release Date, Cast, Trailer, and Everything We Know About Melissa Barrera's Next Horror Movie". Collider. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Kroll, Justin (April 13, 2023). "'Scream' Star Melissa Barrera Reunites With Radio Silence On Secret Monster Movie For Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Kroll, Justin (May 11, 2023). "Dan Stevens Joins Radio Silence's Secret Monster Movie At Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Kit, Borys (May 9, 2023). "Matilda: The Musical Star Alisha Weir Joins Melissa Barrera in Untitled Monster Movie From Scream VI Filmmakers (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 12, 2023). "Radio Silence Universal Monster Thriller Adds Angus Cloud, Kathryn Newton & Will Catlett; Sets Spring 2024 Release". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  10. ^ a b c Grobar, Matt (May 12, 2023). "Kevin Durand Joins Radio Silence's Monster Thriller For Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (June 14, 2023). "Giancarlo Esposito Joins Radio Silence's Secret Monster Movie At Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  12. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 11, 2023). "'Scream' Filmmaking Team Radio Silence Reunites With Project X On Untitled Monster Movie At Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  13. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 11, 2024). "Universal's Melissa Barrera & Angus Cloud Monster Thriller From Radio Silence Gets Title & Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  14. ^ Couch, Aaron (January 11, 2024). "Monster Movie from 'Scream' Directors Gets Title, Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024. Sources previously told The Hollywood Reporter that the child is the daughter of Dracula.
  15. ^ Geisinger, Gabriella (June 23, 2023). "Dan Stevens, Melissa Barrera monster thriller filming in Dublin". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  16. ^ "Abducting Abigail". Production List. Film & Television Industry Alliance. May 1, 2023. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  17. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (July 13, 2023). "Here Are All The Movies Affected by the SAG-AFTRA Strike From 'Deadpool 3' to 'Mission: Impossible 8' (Photos)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  18. ^ "Aaron Morton Resume" (PDF). Murtha Skouras Agency. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  19. ^ Vlessing, Etan (August 1, 2023). "Angus Cloud Completed Filming on Two Upcoming Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  20. ^ Echebiri, Makuochi (December 18, 2023). "Universal Monster Thriller From Radio Silence Wraps Filming". Collider. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  21. ^ "Brian Tyler to Reteam with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett on 'Abigail'". Film Music Reporter. January 11, 2024. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  22. ^ Grobar, Matt (March 6, 2024). "Universal Vampire Flick Abigail Set To Close Out Overlook Film Festival – View Full Lineup". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  23. ^ "Abigail". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 19, 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  24. ^ "Abigail". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  25. ^ "Abigail: Gloriously gory proof that kidnapping Dracula's daughter is a bad idea". The Telegraph. April 18, 2024. Retrieved April 18, 2024.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abigail_(2024_film)&oldid=1219775164"