Annabelle (2014)

A couple begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists.

Director:

John R. Leonetti

Writer:

Gary Dauberman

Stars:

Ward Horton, Annabelle Wallis, Alfre Woodard

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Annabelle Wallis	...	Mia
Ward Horton	...	John
Tony Amendola	...	Father Perez
Alfre Woodard	...	Evelyn
Kerry O'Malley	...	Sharon Higgins
Brian Howe	...	Pete Higgins
Eric Ladin	...	Detective Clarkin
Ivar Brogger	...	Dr. Burgher
Geoff Wehner	...	Neighbor
Gabriel Bateman	...	Little Boy
Shiloh Nelson	...	Little Girl
Sasha Sheldon	...	Nurse
Camden Singer	...	Clerk
Robin Pearson Rose	...	Mother
Keira Daniels	...	Young Annabelle Higgins

Storyline

John Form has found the perfect gift for his expectant wife, Mia - a beautiful, rare vintage doll in a pure white wedding dress. But Mia's delight with Annabelle doesn't last long. On one horrific night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple. Spilled blood and terror are not all they leave behind. The cultists have conjured an entity so malevolent that nothing they did will compare to the sinister conduit to the damned that is now... Annabelle.

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Plot Keywords:

paranormal activity | murder | suicide | self sacrifice | spin off | 

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Taglines:

Before The Conjuring, There Was Annabelle.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for intense sequences of disturbing violence and terror

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Anabel

Filming Locations:

Langham Apartments - 715 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$37,134,255, 5 October 2014, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$84,273,813

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$256,873,813

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, RatPac-Dune Entertainment, Atomic Monster

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Datasat SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Award:

• Best Horror Film 2015 (Saturn Awards).

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Goofs

Mia's apartment has an upstairs neighbor, so she is not on the top level of the building. But when Mia is chased into the elevator, she presses the top most floor's button, number 6.

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Quotes

Father Perez: The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.

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Connections

Referenced in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: John Krasinski/Abigail Spencer/Jade Bird (2018)

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Soundtracks

Cherish
Written by Terry Kirkman
Performed by The Association
Courtesy of K-Tel Music, Inc.

User Reviews

Comparing to The Conjuring makes this feel like a disappointment. Still worth watching!

Let me start off by stating that as a devout Horror fan with a special liking to ghost stories, haunts and exorcisms, I have really enjoyed The Conjuring. Therefore, my anticipation towards this pseudo- prequel is to be understood, as well as my disappointment...

Perhaps it was the fact that James Wan was only an executive producer of this film that has made it wreak of mediocrity, especially compared to the first. Most of this film's components are exactly that: mediocre. The acting lacked the charisma and screen presence of Patrick Wilson (Ed Warren in The Conjuring), though I must say that Alfre Woodard (Evelyn) and Tony Amendola (Father Perez) were certain light spots. The story feels like it came out of an automated template machine given the basic "create me a mediocre haunting story" order, and again, compared to The Conjuring simply doesn't make the cut.

So why the slightly generous rating? For a few reasons:

1) Say what you will, that doll is one of the scariest, creepiest and most horrifying things I have ever seen both on screen and in life. Whoever created that doll's exterior should be either given a reward for being a genius or committed to a mental ward for being sick in the head (and I say that with the utmost respect, that doll is a work of art). Unlike The Conjuring, Annabelle gives the doll a lot more well deserved screen time.

2) The cinematography is at its best with the quick shots, giving the audience sometimes less than a second to realize what they're seeing. Showing demons, ghosts and such evil presences in that manner really adds to the fear factor in my opinion, for Hollywood is yet to realize how to portrait a demon that is scary for those of us who aren't religious Christians (and I say that with no disrespect whatsoever to Christians or Christianity). I like to use Insidious (another Wanderful masterpiece, if you haven't seen it stop reading RIGHT NOW and go see it) as an example - the one thing really lowering that excellent film's level is the demon shown there. In Annabelle, demons are shown, but for a snap shot, leaving much to imagination which serves to add to the scare gauage.

3) Plot actually gets pretty intense towards the end, but only towards the end.

So all in all, perhaps had I watched this film before The Conjuring I would have been able to be more objective, but seeing as how I am unable to ignore it's shortcomings - I give it 6.5, meaning you should definitely watch it (especially if you liked The Conjuring) but you shouldn't expect it to meet The Conjuring's level.