Annabelle Comes Home (2019) Review – A Spooky, Fun-Filled Carnival Ride
Annabelle Comes Home: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A polished and highly entertaining entry into the Conjuring Universe that functions more as a theme-park attraction than a serious supernatural study. Annabelle Comes Home (2019) succeeds by leaning into its “haunted house” aesthetic, delivering a relentless series of jump-scares that are technically proficient, if not particularly frightening. While the film relies heavily on cookie-cutter character tropes and an overabundance of foreshadowing that occasionally drains the tension, the overall experience remains undeniably fun. It is an intelligent, technical curiosity that prioritises immediate thrills over narrative depth. This 3 star effort is a perfect “popcorn horror” for a night in with friends, offering a cheerful and accessible gateway into the franchise’s darker corners. It is a solid, well-produced nightmare. It is essential for fans of the series.
Details: Director: Gary Dauberman | Cast: Mckenna Grace, Madison Iseman, Katie Sarife, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson | Runtime: 1h 46m | Release Date: 2019
Best for: Fans of the Conjuring franchise, viewers seeking a fun jump-scare fix, and those looking for a lighter, “spooky” movie night.
Worth noting: To prepare for her role as Judy, Mckenna Grace actually visited a real haunted house attraction to study how people physically react to jump-scares.
Where to Watch: VOD, Amazon🛒
Rating: 3/5 Stars
(A masterfully produced and consistently entertaining supernatural romp that utilizes a wide array of spirits and jump-scares to deliver a fun, accessible, and highly watchable haunted house experience.)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. We are returning to the Conjuring universe today. We are reviewing the most recent addition to the Annabelle series – Gary Dauberman’s Annabelle Comes Home.
Highlights
Revisiting the Warrens
The Warrens have retrieved the Annabelle doll from a pair of nurses who claim to have been tormented by her. On the way home, Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) jumps out of the car for a few minutes to take a look at the engine after a breakdown. Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga), who chooses to wait in the car, begins seeing and hearing spirits. At this point it becomes clear to her that Annabelle is evil after the doll attempts to kill Ed by manipulating spirits and objects.
The Warrens take the doll back to their house. They have her blessed, and seal her inside of a locked glass cabinet. You know, because apparently glass that wouldn’t even be burglar proof is the perfect protection against ultimate evil.
We jump forward a year or so and pick things up back at the Warren’s home. We eventually learn that Judy Warren has similar powers to her mother. She is seeing dead people, ala The Sixth Sense and having trouble at school due to the nature of her parent’s work. Judy’s babysitter, Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman) decides to cheer Judy up by throwing a birthday party for her. Mary Ellen’s friend, Daniela Rios (Katie Sarife), has heard of the work the Warrens do and, being somewhat curious, invites herself over to the party. Chaos ensues and many jump scares were had by all. On with the review.
A movie version of a haunted house attraction
I think that is the best way to describe the Annabelle movies and Annabelle Comes Home is no different. These movies are like a trip through a haunted house at a carnival or fairground. Things jump out at you at every turn, there is fog covering every step, and you never quite know what is coming next. It’s not a particularly fulfilling experience but it is a fun one and you will come out giggling and quite happy that you wasted your money.
“Annabelle Comes Home is like a trip through a haunted house at a carnival. Things jump out at you at every turn, there is fog covering every step, and you never quite know what is coming next.”
It’s actually difficult to review because these types of horror movies are so shallow and simple. You really aren’t getting much aside from what is offered on the surface. They are not complex, they are just fun thrill rides that don’t require much explanation and don’t demand much in the way of thought. If you enjoy them, you know what you are in for and you won’t go into it expecting some contrived plot or fascinating story.
With Annabelle Comes Home, you are best off assuming that there will be minimal plot, lots of scares, and not much else. Character development is at a minimum and there isn’t a lot of intelligence to spread around. Characters react in stupid ways, there is a frightening amount of foreshadowing, and you will likely roll your eyes at the number of false scares. When Annabelle Comes Home gets it right, however, it’s lots of fun and a real giggle. On the other hand, when it doesn’t, it is just a very average jump scare horror.
Lots of jump scares but not that scary
You know what you are getting into with Annabelle movies and Annabelle Comes Home is no different from the others. Lots and lots of jumps scares. To be honest, I didn’t find many of them to be particularly well executed and the cinema screen remained pretty quiet other than a few specific scenes. There wasn’t a whole lot of jumping from fellow members of the audience and it certainly wasn’t on the level of Annabelle Creation.
Obviously there is a sense of foreboding that comes along with the minxy little doll but a great deal of foreshadowing and the use of false scares really cuts through the tension. There were a few moments where I was expecting something to happen only for it to not happen and for the film to never actually capitalise on the sense of anticipation. Annabelle Comes Home is just not that scary and perhaps that is its biggest failing.
A cookie cutter cast
You really aren’t going to find anything, or anyone, that really stands out here but that’s not a bad thing. Obviously if you are a fan of the Conjuring movies it is nice to see Ed and Lorraine Warren in a movie that doesn’t wear the Conjuring name tag. Judy Warren (Mckenna Grace) has her character developed a little more and I expect some future movies to focus on her and her apparent abilities.
“Mary Ellen and Daniela Rios are both very likable, and it made a change to actually root for a pair of teenagers in a horror movie. Even the love interest, Bob, came across as a warm character.”
Mary Ellen and Daniela Rios, Judy’s babysitter and her friend, are both very likable and it made a change to actually root for a pair of supposed teenagers in a horror movie. I can imagine some people taking exception to that statement, though, and disliking Daniela somewhat. Even Mary Ellen’s love interest Bob (Michael Climino) came across as a warm character with plenty to like.
Acting, from the main cast, was pretty adequate throughout. I can’t find anything to complain about. The roles were pretty simple and straightforward and the actors did their best with the material they had. The cast members seemed to genuinely like each other and nothing came across as particularly awkward with the exception of maybe a scene or two.
Mixed thoughts
I spent my time watching Annabelle Comes Home rolling my eyes. I wasn’t scared, I wasn’t tense, and I wasn’t blown over by the story. Afterwards, however, I realised I actually kind of enjoyed it and my partner was exactly the same. It is easily digestible and, to be honest, it’s quite cheerful for a horror movie. The comedy is a pretty big factor at times but it is very hit or miss. Some of the intended laughs might leave you cringing a bit, to be honest.
This is why I feel so mixed about it. Would I recommend Annabelle Comes Home to horror veterans? If they knew what to expect then sure but I wouldn’t recommend it on the basis of being a fantastic horror movie.
“Watch it with your friends expecting a fun horror with a few jump scares and an iconic antagonist and you will have a fun time. It is an enjoyable and pretty fun horror movie.”
Would I recommend it to people looking for a fun horror movie that you can watch with your friends or on a Netflix night with your girlfriend or boyfriend? Damn straight, you will probably enjoy it and you will likely laugh a fair bit. There is a place for this type of horror and they can be enjoyable, even when they are rather silly like this one.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Likable Cast: The central trio of girls are sympathetic and easy to root for, making the “teenagers in peril” tropes feel less grating than usual.
- Creative Ghouls: The film introduces several inventive new entities beyond Annabelle, such as The Ferryman and The Black Shuck, adding variety to the scares.
- High Production Value: The set design, practical effects, and lighting are top-tier, creating a rich, atmospheric environment that looks fantastic.
The Bad
- Predictable Scares: The film relies heavily on standard jump-scare formulas, which may feel a bit tired for seasoned horror veterans.
- Heavy Foreshadowing: Many of the scares are telegraphed so clearly in earlier scenes that the sense of mystery and tension is significantly diluted.
- Thin Narrative: The plot is secondary to the “scare-fest” structure, offering little in the way of character depth or complex storytelling.
The Ugly: The Glass Cabinet. A fragile barrier that serves as the film’s ultimate logic leap, asking us to believe that a thin pane of glass can contain an ancient demonic force.
Should You Watch Annabelle Comes Home?
Yes, if you go in with the right expectations. It is a 3 star film that functions as an ideal “popcorn horror” for a casual night in. If you appreciate the polished, high-production aesthetic of the Conjuring Universe and want a fun, jump-scare-heavy thrill ride, you will likely have a great time. However, if you are seeking deep psychological dread or a groundbreaking story, it will likely leave you cold. It is a technical success that is impossible not to enjoy with friends. It’s a solid, spooky journey back into the Warrens’ basement.
Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
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