Los Angeles, Regency Village Theatre, April 17, 2024

The Los Angeles premiere of Abigail took place April 17, 2024 at The Los Angeles, Regency Village Theatre, showcasing a significant gathering from the film's cast and crew. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, this horror film stars Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, and several others. The story centers around a group of criminals who kidnap a ballerina, only to find themselves trapped with her in an isolated mansion, hinting at supernatural elements tied to the girl named Abigail. At the premiere, Melissa Barrera dazzled in a striking silver dress, highlighting the night's glamorous fashion choices. The event brought together a mix of high-profile guests and A-list actors, celebrating the film's release amidst great anticipation

Universal Pictures is set to release Abigail, a groundbreaking horror thriller directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of the Radio Silence collective, on May 29, 2024. This film, running for 110 minutes, promises a riveting reinterpretation of vampire lore, cleverly merged with the dynamics of a heist gone wrong.

Abigail features an ensemble cast including Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Will Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, Alisha Weir, Matthew Goode, and Giancarlo Esposito. The screenplay is penned by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick, weaving a narrative that combines psychological depth with supernatural horror. The film is produced by William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein, Tripp Vinson, and Chad Vilella, with Ron Lynch and Macdara Kelleher serving as executive producers.

The plot of Abigail centers on a flawed kidnapping attempt by a group of amateur criminals who target the daughter of a mafia boss, expecting a hefty ransom. They retreat to an isolated manor for what should have been a straightforward confinement, but the tables turn horrifically as they fall prey to their supposed victim. Abigail, the child they kidnap, is revealed to be a vampire, turning the predators into prey as she unleashes her fury upon them.

Melissa Barrera portrays Joey, the group's medic, who grapples with her conscience and her haunting past in the military. Barrera's character arc explores themes of redemption and the moral quandaries posed by their dire situation. Dan Stevens plays Frank, the racist and morally corrupt leader of the group, whose intentions unravel as the night progresses. Alisha Weir stars as Abigail, embodying innocence transformed into malevolence, her ballet training giving her a predatory grace that is both eerie and captivating.

The film's atmospheric tension is amplified by its setting in Glenmaroon House, a neo-Tudor mansion in Ireland that perfectly encapsulates the Gothic elements essential to the genre. Cinematographer Aaron Morton and set designer Susie Cullen masterfully create a visual aesthetic that complements the film's dark themes. Costume designer Gwen Jeffares and composer Brian Tyler contribute to the immersive experience with meticulously crafted attire and a foreboding musical score.

Abigail redefines the boundaries of the horror and thriller genres, offering a novel twist on vampire folklore intertwined with the suspense of a psychological thriller. The film not only promises to deliver chilling scenes and edge-of-your-seat suspense but also challenges the audience’s perceptions of morality and survival. Its release is highly anticipated by horror enthusiasts and cinephiles eager to witness a unique cinematic experience that combines traditional horror elements with innovative storytelling and profound thematic depth.

Synopsis :
Following the kidnapping of the daughter of a powerful underworld tycoon, a group of amateur criminals thought they simply had to lock up and guard the young ballerina in order to claim a $50 million ransom. Holed up in an isolated mansion, the kidnappers mysteriously begin to disappear, one after the other, as the night progresses. It's then that they discover, to their horror, that the little girl they're locked up with is anything but ordinary.

Abigail
Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett
Written by Stephen Shields, Guy Busick
Produced by William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein, Tripp Vinson, Chad Villella
Starring Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Will Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, Alisha Weir, Giancarlo Esposito
Cinematography : Aaron Morton
Edited by Michael Shawver
Music by Brian Tyler
Production companies : Project X Entertainment, Vinson Films, Radio Silence Productions
Distributed by Universal Pictures (United States), United Pictures International France (France)
Release dates : April 7, 2024 (Overlook Film Festival), April 19, 2024 (United States), May 29, 2024 (France)
Running time : 109 minutes