As a person who watches scary films for the thrill, it’s rare that the jump scares or predictable storylines will make you sit at the edge of your seat, whimpering in fear. But “Lights Out” director David Sandberg certainly freaked horror fanatics out with the newest addition to the “Anabelle” storyline.
The gripping thriller is based on, as the name suggests, the creation of the famous Annabelle doll. Adapted from the case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, this movie is another addition to the famous sequence of horror films that includes “The Conjuring,” “Insidious,” “The Amityville Haunting” and many more.
Most horror films have a common plot where the protagonist, who is likely to get critically injured or possessed, is doing exactly what the audience knows they shouldn’t be doing. But the feeling that follows after their actions is what gives the audience relief and that feeling is what the audience comes to the movie theatre for. Distress and delight go hand-in-hand in a horror film, providing a cathartic effect to the viewers. Sandberg pulled off this feature very well throughout the entire movie. His addition to the gory side of things with excessive bloodshed and bone breaking made the viewers cringe more than some previous scary movies have. This, along with the sound design, made regular horror fans enjoy the film much more than usual.
This is the kind of movie that you’d except to have an inconclusive and weak ending when you walk in. But the film keeps your insides turning even after you have left the theater, which is part of what makes it such a great film.
The creation of the doll is the origin of the “Annabelle” universe and finding out how it all started seems to be bringing more hype into the industry. The plot is very straightforward but at the same time its very gripping. It has a good timeline of events that have lead to the moment that made the doll possessed and also aids in connecting the future stories very well, while leaving room for suspense and cliff hangers.
What might leave one a little dissatisfied would be that the characters were a little weaker than expected. Compared to characters in other installments, “Anabelle: Creation” lacked personality and distinction. Though the movie is about the creation of the doll, viewers were likely hoping for more from the side characters as well.
Regardless, this is still a very fine film. With its tense atmosphere and clever direction, David Sandberg certainly succeeds at leaving the audience wanting more.
