The very idea that a Conjuring universe exists makes me smile. Not because it’s some groundbreaking cinematic accomplishment. But because it’s a tightly focused, modestly budgeted, interconnected horror franchise built around two fantastic central movies. The spin-off films have been hit-or-miss but at least they have offered some interesting layers to the franchise as a whole.
“Annabelle Comes Home” is the third film in the Conjuring prequel series about the ugliest, creepiest porcelain doll ever put on screen. This installment begins on a high note with the franchise’s greatest assets, Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprising their roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. They don’t have big roles in the film but I absolutely love the chemistry between them.
It’s 1971 and the Warrens have taken possession of the Annabelle doll after identifying it as a conduit for malevolent spirits. Following a blessing ritual Annabelle is put in a glass case within their eerie room of evil artifacts. And surely a door with five locks and a big sign reading “DANGER!” is enough to keep the evil contained, right? Well, in a word…no.
Jump ahead one year as the Warrens prepare to head out for an overnight investigation into a new case. They leave their daughter Judy (Mckenna Grace) and the keys to their split-level home with their dependable babysitter Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman) who is keenly aware of the house rules.
The same can’t be said for Mary Ellen’s pushy best friend Daniela (Katie Sarife) who shows up to the Warren’s house uninvited and instantly begins snooping around where she shouldn’t. This provides the movie with its opening to introduce its horror elements. Horror movies have a track record of having really bad things happen thanks to really stupid actions. There is a bit of that with Daniela. But writer-director Gary Dauberman tosses in a story thread to give a meatier reason for what she is doing. It kinda works.
Motivations aside, Daniela finds a way into the Warrens’ no-no room and unleashes all sorts of terrifying apparitions. Most of the story unfolds over the course of that one night as the young ladies try to survive the usual stuff – convenient power outages, appliances mysteriously turning on, ghoulish spirits suddenly standing in the background, and an overactive fog machine.
Dauberman does a good job creating a spooky atmosphere which he leans on a bit too heavily. Most of the movie features all of the above mentioned horror gadgetry on repeat with practically nothing in the form of story progression. In many ways it reminds me of “The Nun” (which Dauberman also wrote). It was a movie rich with atmosphere but shallow when it comes to storytelling.
Much like “The Nun” this ends up being a spin-off film that never reaches the fullness of its potential. “Annabelle Comes Home” is a slight step up thanks to its better realized place within the franchise and closer connection to the two main Conjuring films. There is also some really good chemistry between the three young actresses which gives us good reasons to care for their characters. Unfortunately, despite offering moments of fun, the film doesn’t do much to push the franchise forward which leaves it feeling like a missed opportunity.
VERDICT – 3 STARS
keithandthemovies.com 
Apart from not liking horror I also can’t cope with stupid. Not for me this one.
It turns out there is reason to the stupidity (if that makes sense). Doesn’t necessarily excuse it but you get a sense of why this character is doing what they’re doing. But it is very much a horror movie which is definitely not up your alley. 😁
Hehe I meant the whole movie 🤣
LOLOL! I kinda wondered that after I responded. HaHaHa
🤣
Is this the film that somebody died from a heart attack watching?
Oh I don’t know. I need to look that up.
I would go see it but opening it around Midsommar was just so dumb. I will wait for DVD and hopefully this isnt as awful as The Nun
It’s a little better than “The Nun” but they both kinda fall in the same area for me – decent little sidestories but nowhere near as good the two main Conjuring films.
I really enjoyed the first two Conjuring films but I’ve never bothered with the spin offs. i think i’ll give this one a chance on DVD since Vera and Patrick are back.
They are definitely the best part of it.
I gotta say, I’ve never understood the praise for the Conjuring universe like you spoke about at the start. I don’t know if I am missing something but they all felt very silly. Especially The Nun, I think that was part of this universe. I’m not sure, they all seem the same now. I think that is why films like Get Out, Hereditary, The Witch, It Follows really stood out from the rest of the pack because they did something different.
I guess I’m just really picky.
I do agree though that Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga have excellent chemistry, its perfect. But… yeah, the rest of those films have lost me. It was the same with A Quiet Place too, though that was a little better imo. I seem to be the only one who doesn’t enjoy thee films =/ I honestly wish I did!
I’ll be honest, the spin-off movies are far from great. Some are aggressively mediocre at best. But I absolutely love the two proper Conjuring movies. For me they have such a classic, old-school horror vibe to them that I really go for.
I agree they aren’t super original like The Witch or Hereditary (I still find Get Out wildly overrated), but Conjuring I and II feel like they were pulled out of a different time and I really love that.
Dang it I really do with I enjoyed them. I should maybe give them a second watch as I did really enjoy the chemistry between the two instigators
Their chemistry is fantastic and both give such authentic, earnest performances.
That was the only part I liked =[ I’m definitely gonna give the movies another shot, maybe tonight, as I seem to be alone on this one, I haven’t spoken to anyone who isn’t a fan
I don’t ever write movie reviews, but I conjured one up (pun!) a couple weeks ago on this same movie.
I agree that this film should be the end of Annabelle. Not to say it was all that bad, the actresses were at least strong.
I still need to get around to watching the Nun, the only film I have yet to see in the Conjuring Universe. I’ve been apprehensive due to the poor reiews.
Anyway, good job on the review!
The Nun is similar to this film in several ways. It’s great at building and maintaining a spooky atmosphere. But storywise, they could have done so much more.