New Line Cinema’s Annabelle Comes Home (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; A) is a horror drama and a sequel to Annabelle (2014) and Annabelle: Creation (2017).
Demonologists Ed Warren (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) bring the possessed Annabelle doll to their home and place it in a sacred glass box in their room of artefacts. They have the doll blessed by a priest.
Three years later, the Warrens go to investigate another case. They have Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman) stay overnight at their home to look after their daughter, Judy (Mckenna Grace). Mary’s troubled friend, Daniela (Katie Sarife), comes over to the Warrens’ home as she wants to speak to her dead father. All hell breaks lose when Daniela sneaks into the artefacts room. How Annabella releases the other spirits and herself goes after Judy forms the crux of the drama.
James Wan and Gary Dauberman have written a story which is chilling in parts. Gary Dauberman’s screenplay is reasonably engaging but it does not have as many scary scenes as one expects in a story of this kind. Also, there is not much novelty in the drama.
Mckenna Grace acts well as Judy. Madison Iseman performs ably in the role of Mary Ellen. Vera Farmiga is good as Lorraine Warren. Patrick Wilson does a good job as Ed Warren. Katie Sarife is alright as Daniela. Michael Cimino has his moments as Mary’s boyfriend, Bob. Kenzie Caplan and Sade Katarina are okay as nurses. Samara Lee (as Bee) lends fair support. Steve Coulter (as Father Gordon), Gary-7 (as the ghostly priest), Anthony Wemyss (as Daniela’s dad), Edwin Scheibner (as the exorcism guy) and the rest lend decent support.
Gary Dauberman’s direction is quite nice. Michael Burgess’ camerawork is of a fine standard. Joseph Bishara’s background music is impactful. Jennifer Spence’s production designing is good. Editing is reasonably sharp. Dubbing is fine.
On the whole, Annabelle Comes Home is a fair entertainer. But the price at which the film has been acquired by the all-India distributors is very high. The original English version, released simultaneously, will score better.
Released on 27-6-’19 at Gemini (daily 5 shows) and other cinemas of Bombay thru PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. Publicity: fair. Opening: good. …….Also released all over. Opening was good at places and ordinary at others.