Abigail (2023) Poster

(II) (2023)

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6/10
A really fun and generally enjoyable genre effort
kannibalcorpsegrinder6 December 2023
Arriving in a small Alabama town, a woman and her neighbors strike up a friendship that helps him to overcome the bullies that relentlessly torment him for his home life, but the more she hangs out with him the more her homicidal tendencies come to the forefront unleashing a wave of violence against the bullies.

This was a really solid if somewhat flawed genre effort. When this one ends up working well is the way this one builds up the eventual explosion of violence that emerges as we get to know more about the character and her central relationships. Her troubled background that necessitated the need for the move and how the relationship with her mother is entirely based on combative disrespect that goes in a complete counter to with the neighbor where it comes across as a budding mentorship involving how to stand up for himself against the bullies which borders on coercion and homicidal tendencies. This setup manages to work itself up into an appropriately enjoyable and twist-laden finale where the series of reveals and gruesome outcomes are enough to make the film quite likable over some detrimental factors. The main issue with this one is the fact that it spends forever waiting around for something to happen as the people in this town are blind morons oblivious to what's going on around them. The psychotic tendencies of the teen bullies are so apparent it's hard to believe they were blind to what happened, and that goes equally to the drastically uninspired outbursts of violence that paint her as just as violent only she's doing it for the betterment of his life which should go hand-in-hand with the background we have on her with her mother that there's something off so all of this leaves the film to feel like it's dragging with these elements in place. As well, there's also the lack of violence or gore on display as the timid nature of the interactions makes everything feel rather tame as a result which is another area that holds this down.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Violence.
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2/10
Incompetent feminist nonsense
Democrit9 May 2024
Another "genius" craft of a female director, and of course, such directors have male characters or scoundrels, or psychopaths, or traumatized boys, and female characters are all strong and independent. I want to ask you, those who shoot such feminist and incompetent nonsense: "Who taught you this?" Unoriginal, irrelevant, assembled from templates and cliches: he went a kilometer away in need and left a girl; a difficult teenager from a dysfunctional family is insulted by peers and his mother, and it all looks so shabby, and this is only in the first 15 minutes. The amateur production, the boring camerawork, the disgusting light that shines everywhere, all this is just repulsive with its unprofessiveness. I don't want to blame the actors, they play normally, but here's the directorial task that the actors perform - I haven't seen such a primitive for a long time. Who are all these people who are praising this movie? Did they even watch this movie? Or do they stamp their reviews without looking? Why are you doing this, do you really not care, or do you take the viewer for an imbecile? Or are you engaged in infoshamanism, instilling false meanings, for entertainment?

I couldn't stand this absurdity, I didn't watch this mediocre movie trash.
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2/10
Mislead by other reviews
yprshdcdwc28 December 2023
Not the amazing breakout these other reviewers claim. Makes me wonder which Abigail movie they were watching. A dull waste of time. Serious lack of character development and misses the mark again and again. It seems like they had a a good set up but lost it in the weak dialogue and the cliche of an adult acting like a teen.

Cantrell has a few moments but overall not believable as the disturbed teen. Brown gives a decent performance but feels as if the director left it all up to him. The sets are a weak attempt at period but at least they did get the wardrobe right.

Key to a good horror is making the crazy believable for even just a moment. Unfortunately this film lost us on the opening drive with flat dialogue and no energy. I don't want to spoil the totally predictable ending but the Father element is just silly. Please don't attempt a sequel.
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10/10
Cantrell and Brown Breakout in This Film
AlbertV7912 December 2023
There are two reasons to see this film: Ava Cantrell in the titular role and Tren Brown as the reluctant new friend. Having shades of classics like "Carrie" and "Natural Born Killers", the film revolves around Abigail, a teen who moves from California to Alabama in 1976. Her first attempts to befriend neighbor Lucas is futile until she helps him stand up to bullies. She goes through a "3-strike" mode, first glancing then a warning shot in the form of knocking the lead bully down.

However, the lead bully's retribution becomes strike 3 and you can guess what happens. Cantrell delivers a brilliant performance as a young woman who has an overbreaking protective mother that is reminiscent of Margaret White minus the religion aspect with Hermoine Lynch delivering an amazing performance while Lucas's home life is even worse with a very condescending and arrogant mother, driven with an excellent performance by Karimah Westbrook.

Things really pick up at the halfway point but just wait until you see the final ten minutes. Totally shocking and jaw-dropping. This film is highly recommended!!!
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8/10
We have a new breakout star
rothrules695 December 2023
Kenny's Movie Review

"Abigail" (2023)

Available tomorrow On Demand

I'd like to thank Dark Star pictures for providing me a screener link for review

In 1976 a troubled teen befriends her bullied neighbor, seeking revenge on his tormentors, but her obsession turns deadly.

This movie is really good and intense, the film stars Ava Cantrell as "Abigail" and Tren Reed-Brown as "Lucas" as 2 troubled teens in Alabama where the local bullies pick on "Lucas" and Abigail befriends him and helps him overcome the bullies.

The relationship between Abigail and her Mom played by Hermione Lynch is a strange dynamic that really is odd and strange, but the real story here Ava Cantrell as "Abigail" she gives a amazing performance a real breakthrough performance

I really enjoyed this film and the performances were truly incredible

4 Whoppers out of 5 Whoppers 🍔🍔🍔🍔

Highly recommend this movie

Like to thank Dark Star Pictures for providing me the screener for review.
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10/10
Top Notch Indie Horror Deserves Respect (or else!)
cklarue14 December 2023
I don't normally seek out indie horror films, but "Abigail" caught my eye as potentially being a smart coming-of-age flick with an engaging premise: Teen moves into new town to escape a sketchy (yet unknown) past, and a kind of black widow persona is revealed. Hey - sounds intriguing to me!

And... it did not disappoint. Cool titles and excellent sound work led immediately into an engaging prelude scene that will really hook you into the story. The cast chemistry was terrific, led by an outstanding performance by lead actor Ava Cantrell. Her relentless persistence with Tren Reed-Browns character and the friction with her mom played by Hermione Lynch made for a dynamic tension with both that drove the movie forward.

Several key scenes backed by an awesome soundtrack peeled back more of Abigail's persona (and potentially her past?), and painted a full picture of her that still haunts me. Ms. Cantrell's performance, going progressively edgier with every scene, is marvelous to watch, portending twists in the third act that will leave you satisfied and asking for a sequel.

I thoroughly enjoyed Abigail, from the storytelling and acting prowess on through the continuity details and production value. This is a character and premise that can really go places and I'm hoping for more of Cantrell, Reed-Brown and others. I rented and streamed it on iTunes.
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9/10
Fun and Enjoyable!
haileyneveu30 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The movie opens on teen girl, Abigail, and her Mother moving to a small town in Alabama. Abigail quickly befriends a neighboring boy, Lucas, who has been stifled by bullies and is unsure how to stand up for himself. Now, with his new friend Abigail by his side he no longer fears these bullies by the end of the movie.

It is clear there is a secret the audience must wait to discover, from the conversations between her and her Mother. Abigail played by Ava Cantrell does a wonderful job gradually giving the audience hints of her true personality and favorite pastime. She provides the depth needed to hide her characters true intentions.

I would describe this film as an Indie/ Thriller/ Coming-of-Age with surprise twists and turns along the way.

It is well worth a watch!
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