By Gabriella Rodriguez | Staff Writer
If you’re a fan of horror films, chances are you’ve seen “The Conjuring” before. The popular movie, set in a town that is a mere hour away from campus, now has an even more horrifying spin-off film: “Annabelle”. In the nearly three weeks since its release, director John R. Leonetti’s latest film has raked in nearly $150 million.
“Annabelle” is based on the real life story in which a doll, named Annabelle, wreaks havoc wherever it goes due to it being possessed by some unearthly force. In the modified version of the story which the movie tells, young couple Mia (Annabelle Wallis) and John Form (Ward Horton) are eagerly anticipating the birth of their first child, a daughter they will name Lea. As a present for both baby and mother, John purchases a doll which Mia has been trying to locate for years. It isn’t until a horrific crime occurs next door–inadvertently involving the doll–that strange things begin to happen.
Other prominent actors in the film include Tony Amendola as Father Perez, and Alfre Woodard as Evelyn. Both characters are involved in fighting against the supernatural happenings surrounding the Annabelle doll. Amendola has starred in various television roles, such as Aurelio on “The Mentalist” and Geppetto on “Once Upon a Time”. Woodard is an Emmy-winning actress who has starred in countless films and will be appearing in a brand new show, “State of Affairs”, which premieres on November 17.
The film was a nail-biting, shield-your-eyes, cower-in-the-corner experience. The theater was full of terrified shrieks and shouts throughout the entire feature. Not only were the filming and cinematography wonderfully eerie, but the doll itself sent chills down your spine when you first lay eyes on it. An artistic choice was clearly made, as the original Annabelle is a simple ragdoll, while a disturbing porcelain version was chosen for the film.
“Annabelle” clearly surpasses its predecessor, “The Conjuring”, and achieves its goal in sending viewers home nervously glancing over their shoulders. The most frightening aspect of the film, some may argue, is the knowledge that the doll really exists. Annabelle is locked away in the Warren’s Occult Museum, located in Monroe, CT. She has been exorcised multiple times and is presently locked inside of a glass case bearing a sign that reads: “Warning, Positively Do Not Open”.
