Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

Dir- Gary Daubermna

The Conjuring Universe has become a significant horror movie franchise in the past decade thanks in part to Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga's portrayal of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. One of their most famous cases involved the cursed doll Annabelle, featured in many of the movies along with a massive collection of cursed objects in the basement of their Connecticut home. In this installment featuring Annabelle, the focus is on the Warrens 10-year-old daughter Judy (McKenna Grace) and her babysitter Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman). After taking custody of Annabelle and learning of its dangers, the Warrens put the doll in a glass case and have it blessed by a priest. A year later their daughter Judy is shown reacting to the media attention her folks are getting and the harassment she faces. Her babysitter Mary Ellen is quick to defend her, and they plan a pre-birthday evening when Judy's parents go out of town. Mary Ellen's friend Daniela (Katie Sarife) decides to invite herself over and due to her curiosity accidentally unleashes evil spirits when she opens the case containing Annabelle. The events that follow will put the three girls lives in danger as the evil forces within Annabelle unleash the other spirits contained in the Warrens basement. Gary Daubermna sets Annabelle Comes Home in the Warren home putting special attention on the menagerie of cursed objects kept behind lock and key. The result is a film that blends A Cabin in the Woods with The Babysitters Club, yet it works so well in adding to the frightful nature behind those items. The film relies on old school horror techniques with no blood or gore, but plenty of jump scares both visual and audible. This entry is one of the better installments of the Conjuring franchise and ranks behind The Conjuring 1 & 2 and well ahead of The Nun. McKenna Grace and Madison Iseman carry the film quite effectively and stand out in a series that usually focuses more on the Warrens. The movie has positive reviews from critics and fans alike making this a film that will rank as one of the better franchise movies of the year.