Annabelle: Creation

REVIEW:

Annabelle: Creation starts with a bang—literally. The film wastes no time in setting the tragic tone, as the Mullens’ daughter, Bee, is abruptly killed in a car accident. This scene happens so quickly and unexpectedly that it catches you off guard, mirroring the shock and suddenness of grief that defines much of the film’s atmosphere. From this point on, the movie plunges into its eerie narrative, taking place twelve years later when the Mullens open their home to a group of orphaned girls. The stage is set for an unnerving experience, and the atmosphere is steeped in tension right from the start.

Director David F. Sandberg crafts a movie that truly knows how to get under your skin. There are countless moments that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and I found myself scanning every frame, feeling as though something sinister was lurking just out of view. It’s one of those films where you sense a paranormal presence in every shadow, every flicker of light, making it difficult to ever feel at ease. Though this is a film within The Conjuring universe, Sandberg keeps the story largely self-contained. Initially hesitant to direct a horror sequel, Sandberg only agreed after assurances that Annabelle: Creation could stand on its own without being tethered too closely to the other films in the franchise. Aside from one subtle nod to the wider universe, the story remains focused on its own haunted narrative.

One of the film’s standout moments is the infamous “Your soul” scene, which scared the bejesus out of me! It’s a perfectly executed jump scare, but what the movie excels at is building tension rather than relying solely on these moments of shock. Unlike its predecessor, which leaned heavily on the eerie presence of the Annabelle doll, Creation broadens its scope. Annabelle is still central, but she is only a conduit to which the demon wreaks havoc. This shift in focus gives the film more depth, allowing it to explore the malevolent force behind the doll, rather than making the doll itself the sole source of fear.

The film primarily revolves around two of the orphaned girls, Janice and Linda, who find themselves at the centre of the supernatural events. While this works well for their character development, the film falls short when it comes to utilizing the rest of the group. There are several other girls in the orphanage, but they are mostly sidelined, to the point where I can’t even remember their names. It feels like a missed opportunity to add more layers to the story by involving more of the characters, especially since the isolated farmhouse setting is ripe for a broader ensemble cast to face the horrors together.

One of the major questions from the first Annabelle movie—where the doll came from and why it’s so dangerous—is finally answered here. The film cleverly reveals the origins of the demon’s attachment to the doll, providing some much-needed backstory and answering lingering questions. The movie also offers a neat little nod to the real-life Annabelle doll when Janice receives a Raggedy Ann doll, a subtle homage to the true story that inspired the franchise. The final twist is a satisfying one, tying the events of Annabelle: Creation directly to the first Annabelle film. However, as well-crafted as the twist is, it does strain credibility, making it seem like a huge coincidence that Mia and John would later come into possession of the doll.

Overall, Annabelle: Creation surpasses the original Annabelle film in nearly every way, with stronger performances, better pacing, and more genuinely unsettling moments. That said, while it’s a strong entry in the Annabelle series, it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the main Conjuring films, which remain the gold standard of the franchise. Nevertheless, Creation delivers a solid and genuinely frightening experience, deepening the lore behind the infamous doll while standing on its own as a well-executed horror movie.