It was clear on first watch that The Conjuring was something special. Not only is that movie one of the scariest and best of the decade, it turns out it has the ability to not only conjure spirits. It has spawned 7 movies in its own little universe, including 3 alone about Annabelle, the creepiest doll since Chucky. Although, if Annabelle comes home is any indication, maybe the branches of the Conjuring tree might be quickly withering away.
Annabelle Comes Home is the 3rd movie in the Annabelle trilogy, bringing the doll into the home of paranormal investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) Warren. After safely storing the doll, the husband and wife team depart for the weekend, leaving their daughter Judy (Mckenna Grace) at home, being babysit by Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman). Like any horror movie, you know where this is going: there’s a curious best friend for the babysitter, Danielle (Katie Sarife), who may or may not release Annabelle from her prison, unleashing the power inside of the doll to conjure spirits on the entire Warren household, leaving the 3 ladies haunted by every spirit nearby.
Unlike The Conjuring movies, I think the Annabelle ones know they’re at least a little ridiculous. With Annabelle Comes Home, writer/director Gary Dauberman has some fun at least with Annabelle’s powers. For those who don’t know, the doll is a beacon for other spirits, meaning any spirit nearby will show up. Also, thanks to the first Conjuring, we know the Warren’s have a locked room filled with malevolent objects possessed by spirits. As you can see, the story pretty much writes itself. This movie is at its most fun after the first hour of character set up, when all manner of spirits show up to terrorize the kids. Throw in a little fog and extreme darkness, and you have a recipe for constant, inventive scares, the best involving a game, a wedding dress, and coins and maybe an, um, unexpected beast.
Having fun is one thing. The risk of winking at the audience is that people will get confused if something is supposed to be scary, or laughed at. Annabelle tumbles at least a good chunk of the way down that slippery slope and struggles getting back up the hill. I feel most bad for Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, who bookend the film to elevate Annabelle’s status, and then completely disappear from the movie, rendering it unmoored to the point that the movie’s self parody kicks in. Other than Danielle (and Judy a little bit), there’s zero character development for anyone in this movie. When that happens, you start rooting for the spirits to win. Only the likability of the actresses saves Annabelle Comes Home from that fate. Some of the lines of dialogue are so stupid they’re laughable, further confusing the audience, who I heard bickering with one another with half laughing and half riddled with fear.
Creatively, Annabelle Comes Home only has some creepy villains to offer. If you’re looking for something that will scare your pants off, stick to The Conjuring films. James Wan will deliver the scares and really satisfying character development, and he can use Gary Dauberman to come up with the creepy villain, spirit, or creature. I also look forward to Judy Warren joining the family business…