Phil's Horror Watch: ANNABELLE: CREATION (2017) from New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures - December 27, 2017

ANNABELLE: CREATION Blu-Ray Cover

ANNABELLE: CREATION
Starring Anthony LaPaglia, Samara Lee, Miranda Otto, Stephanie Sigman, Talitha Eliana Bateman, Lulu Wilson, Brad Greenquist, Mark Bramhall
Written by Gary Dauberman
Cinematography by Maxime Alexandre
Edited by Michel Aller
Produced by James Wan, Peter Safran
Directed by David F. Sandberg
Released by New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures

When filmmaker James Wan made THE CONJURING back in 2013, little did he realize that we was about to create an entirely new universe that horror films have grown to love. So far, there are four films within THE CONJURING Universe, with more on the way. Today's film is the fourth film and a prequel to the whole series. Overall, ANNABELLE: CREATION is a worthy entry in this shared world!

The film's official synopsis: Several years after the tragic death of their little girl, a dollmaker (Anthony LaPaglia) and his wife (Miranda Otto) welcome a nun (Stephanie Sigman) and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, soon becoming the target of the dollmaker´s possessed creation, Annabelle.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2017)

The first thing I thought while I was watching was this is sooooo much better than the first film! Originally director David F. Sandberg didn't want to make  the film because of his distain for horror sequels. But he changed his mind when that the film would be standalone prequel and he wasn't really obligated to connect the film with the rest of THE CONJURING Universe. This allowed him to really expand one the concept and bring in some genuine scares, chills and thrills. He directing was spot-on perfect and really elevates the idea of what a big time studio horror film could look like. It looks absolutely beautiful, his compositions and sweeping camera shots are incredible and he knows when to scare the audience, just like he did with his previous film LIGHTS OUT.

The entire cast in the film is great, but the one actress that I want to spotlight is actress Lulu Wilson. She was absolutely fantastic as Linda! I became aware of this young actress when I saw her in the 2014 film DELIVER US FROM EVIL. But it was her breakout role as the possessed Doris Zander in OUIJA: ORIGIN OF EVIL, which was another prequel movie and was released to theaters back on October 21, 2016. She is a force to be reckoned with because she is that damn talented. She has three projects coming out next year so keep an eye out for those!

The film was released on August 11, 2017 and garnered acclaim from horror fans and critics. It went on to gross $306.5 million worldwide, against its budget of only $15 million! Again, it proved to the mainstream that 2017 was a banner year for the horror genre, with other notable titles like SPLIT, GET OUT and the Stephen King remake IT.

ANNABELLE: CREATION is a nightmare infused horror thriller that will add another dimension to THE CONJURING Universe! Make sure your check out this frightful flick with your fellow horror hounds tonight!! 4 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

ANNABELLE: CREATION is available on both Blu-Ray and DVD. It is also available on Digital HD, iTunes and VOD.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!