Annabelle: Creation (2017)

Directed by: David F. Sandberg | 105 minutes | horror, thriller | Actors: Anthony LaPaglia, Samara Lee, Miranda Otto, Brad Greenquist, Lulu Wilson, Talitha Eliana Bateman, Stephanie Sigman, Mark Bramhall, Grace Fulton, Philippa Coulthard, Tayler Buck, Lou Lou Safran, Joseph Bishara, Alicia Vela-Bailey, Lotta Losten , Fred Tatasciore

Things can get weird in a doll’s life. The possessed Annabel entered the scene in the horror film ‘The Conjuring’, got her own film with ‘Annabel’ and is now famous enough for a real origin story. In ‘Annabel: Creation’ we discover how the doll with the sweet face became possessed by a demon. Although: sweet face… What child pulls such a creep off the shelf and says “Look mom, I want this one!”

‘Annabel: Creation’ begins in 1943, when doll maker Samuel Mullins (Anthony LaPaglia) and his wife Esther (Miranda Otto) lose their daughter in a car accident. Twelve years later, the sharp edges of their mourning have worn off and they decide to open their home to a group of orphans. Only the dead daughter’s room is off limits. At first the girls are excited about their new, comfortable living environment, but soon creaking shelves and flickering lights create an unpleasant feeling. Not only the doll maker is delighted with the new life in the house… When the handicapped Janice (Talitha Bateman) discovers a strange doll in a cupboard full of Bible texts, all hell breaks loose.

The plot of ‘Annabel: Creation’ is not earth-shattering, but nevertheless the film – for a prequel to a weak version of a strong original – turns out surprisingly well. Director David F. Sandberg is guided by the success formula of ‘The Conjuring’ and skillfully builds up the tension. Like James Wan, he relies heavily on clichés that have proven their effectiveness: dark corridors, doors that open on their own, shapes that emerge with a good sense of timing in the light of a lamp. Sandberg adds a few interesting elements, such as a stairlift that fails at crucial moments.

With Talitha Bateman, Sandberg has an endearing child actress. The entire cast does a good job in ‘Creation’, but it’s an orphanage full. As a result, some characters get bored. Whoever comes off badly is Annabel. With her creepy china grin, she’s one of the concept’s greatest assets, but she doesn’t get a significant role until late in the film.

The ending of the story can be guessed. Fortunately, the journey there is worth it. In that respect ‘Creation’ is certainly not the dullest star in the Conjuring firmament.