Annabelle is a 2014 American supernatural horror film directed by John R. Leonetti in his directorial debut and written by Gary Dauberman, from a story by Dauberman and James Wan. The film is a spin-off and prequel to Wan’s 2013 film The Conjuring, and the second installment in the Conjuring Universe franchise. The film stars Annabella Wallis, Ward Horton, Alfre Woodard, Tony Amendola, and Kerry O’Malley.
The film follows a young couple, John and Mia Form, who are expecting their first child. John gives Mia a vintage doll as a gift, but the doll turns out to be possessed by a malevolent spirit. The doll begins to terrorize the couple and their friends, and they seek the help of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Annabelle was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $257 million worldwide against a budget of $6.5 million. The film was praised for its atmosphere, scares, and performances, particularly Wallis’s performance as Mia.
Synopsis
The film opens in 1967, where a cult leader named Annabelle Higgins and her followers are trying to summon a demon. The demon rejects them and kills Annabelle, but her spirit possesses a doll.
Twenty years later, in 1987, John Form gives his pregnant wife Mia a vintage doll as a gift. Mia is initially happy with the doll, but she soon begins to experience strange occurrences around the house. The doll moves on its own, and Mia finds messages written in blood on the walls.
Mia’s friends come over one night and witness the doll moving on its own. They try to get rid of the doll, but it returns. The doll then begins to attack Mia and her friends.
Mia and John seek the help of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens determine that the doll is possessed by a demon and that it is trying to possess Mia’s baby.
The Warrens try to exorcise the demon from the doll, but they are unsuccessful. The demon then attacks Mia and tries to possess her. John manages to save Mia, but the demon escapes.
The film ends with Mia giving birth to her baby, but the demon is still on the loose.
Characters
- Mia Form (Annabella Wallis): A pregnant woman who is terrorized by the Annabelle doll.
- John Form (Ward Horton): Mia’s husband, who tries to help her defeat the Annabelle doll.
- Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson): A paranormal investigator who helps Mia and John defeat the Annabelle doll.
- Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga): Ed’s wife and fellow paranormal investigator.
- Annabelle Higgins (Samara Lee): A cult leader who is killed and possessed by a demon.
Themes
Annabelle explores a number of themes, including:
- The dangers of the occult
- The power of faith
- The importance of family
- The resilience of the human spirit
Reception
Annabelle was a critical and commercial success. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but it was praised for its atmosphere, scares, and performances, particularly Wallis’s performance as Mia. The film was also a box office success, grossing over $257 million worldwide against a budget of $6.5 million.
Annabelle FAQs
Q: What is the Annabelle doll?
A: The Annabelle doll is a vintage Raggedy Ann doll that is possessed by a malevolent spirit. The doll was originally owned by a cult leader named Annabelle Higgins, who was killed and possessed by a demon. The demon then possessed the doll.
Q: Why is the Annabelle doll so evil?
A: The Annabelle doll is so evil because it is possessed by a demon. The demon is trying to possess Mia’s baby, and it will stop at nothing to achieve its goal.
Q: What happens to the Annabelle doll at the end of the movie?
A: At the end of the movie, the Annabelle doll is locked in a glass case at the Warrens’ house. However, the demon that possesses the doll is still on the loose.
Q: Is the Annabelle doll real?
A: The Annabelle doll is a real doll that is housed in the Warren Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut. However, the doll is not possessed by a demon.