Review of Annabelle (2014) by Horror_Princess — 02 Nov 2014

The film Annabelle, is both exciting and scary, while continuously keeping you on the edge of your seat not knowing when the action will surprise you. When it comes to the goal of horror movies, there must be fear instilled into the viewer. Annabelle meets the requirements, it does not shy away from instilling fear into the viewer.

I found the film to be exciting because you really didn’t know what to expect in the beginning. Comparing it to most horror films, nothing really happens till half way through the movie. Annabelle was exciting because within the first 5 min the plot commenced to build. You knew there was something wrong and it was the excitement building up with the excellent choice of music that kept you on the edge of your seat. Activity was focused on Annabelle the doll but that was not the only possessed object which kept you on the edge of your seat wondering what would happen next and who was going to be next. Although you have an expectation of what the outcome will be the twist of plot adds more to this exciting movie.

The baby, why do they use a baby?! Using a baby just hits all the nerves in your body. What has a baby done to you? They are innocent. Putting them in the middle of a horror film just gives you the nerves. What’s going to happen to the baby? Great way of pumping up the excitement. Babies usually do unexpected, yet expected things; putting everything in their mouths, crawling to unexpected places, and not being able to crawl out of unexpected places. When they have teenagers in horror movies you can yell at them and tell them to get out of the way and if they don’t you can judge them by stating they were stupid or all of the above. When a baby is in harms way there is no way of yelling at the film to alert the baby; there is nothing the baby can do. Therefore the excitement!

Scare factor. The random appearance of demons in unexpected locations brings a great scare factor into play. The perfect choice of color when it comes to creating a demon. The typical red face and creepy eyes has been overpassed by a dark grey apparition that you don’t know has been standing in the darkness observing the poor victims. These unexpected demons are placed spontaneously around the scene and the film has you looking at the corners of the picture for unexpected demons to pop out. Then when you finally think you see a demon it jumps out towards the camera and scare!

Scare factor number two: not only is the couple haunted in their home but they continue to be haunted in new locations. Why? The frustration and fear of not being able to run away from a fearful environment. The frustration and fear of not being able to get rid of an object; like a “harmless” doll. How can you sleep? How do you truly know if you are safe in your home? These concepts within the movie leave a subconscious eariness in your mind so that when you finish watching the movie you start becoming scared of the regular noises in your own home. Are those noises really normal or is there something demonic lurking in the darkness. Not only does the movie scare you while you are watching it, but it will scare you once again when you arrive at home and the lights are off while you attempt to feel yourself around to locate the light switch. The use of regular house hold appliances catching on fire because of a little negligence, has you checking on your oven and stove to make sure your home won’t catch on fire. Excellent way of disturbing our peaceful environment.

Yet another scare factor. The appearance of figures unexpectedly followed by the perfect theme song. Joseph Bishara, music composer, provides the perfect mixture of notes to make your skin chill. His previous work proves he is the number one choice when it comes to horror films. His choice of “dark music” fits perfectly into the fear concept in Annabelle.

As a summary of the movie review; yes the movie is scary. Yes it definitely fits in the horror genre. And yes you will be on the edge of your seat, that is if you are not covering your eyes. Great horror film recommended greatly. Do not bring your children.