Since its announcement a year ago, “Abigail” has been promoted as a redo of “Dracula’s Daughter,” the 1936 film. The surprise? Abigail is Dracula’s daughter. But what’s really surprising is how the movie turns out—a repetitive mix of genres that’s not too exciting.
The story begins with Abigail, a 12-year-old ballerina, getting kidnapped during a ballet rehearsal. But this isn’t your usual kidnapping plot. The kidnappers are crude and loud, making the whole thing feel like a low-budget version of other thrillers.
Abigail’s father, Kristof Lazar, is a ruthless underworld boss. She’s like him, turning into a vampire and attacking the kidnappers. But instead of being scary, the movie feels too heavy-handed. Characters yell a lot, especially Frank, the gang’s leader, who’s just annoying.
The movie is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known for the recent “Scream” films. But while those were good, “Abigail” feels like a step back. Why does a vampire movie need so much violence? Dracula’s story is deep, but “Abigail” turns it into a messy fight.
In the end, “Abigail” might not be the exciting remake fans hoped for. It’s a jumble of genres that misses the mark.
