Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Determined to keep Annabelle from wreaking more havoc, demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren bring the possessed doll to the locked artifacts room in their home, placing her “safely” behind sacred glass and enlisting a priest’s holy blessing. But an unholy night of horror awaits as Annabelle awakens the evil spirits in the room, who all set their sights on a new target—the Warrens' ten-year-old daughter, Judy, and her friends.
Annabelle Comes Home is a competent but formulaic entry in the Conjuring universe. The plot is thin and largely an excuse to parade various haunted artifacts in front of the camera, offering little narrative depth beyond a series of set pieces. The young cast, particularly McKenna Grace, performs admirably and elevates the material somewhat. Cinematography is serviceable and maintains the period atmosphere of the franchise, though it rarely surprises. Novelty is low — the film is essentially a haunted house anthology strung together with familiar jump-scare mechanics, and despite the interesting artifact-room concept, it feels like a missed opportunity. The ending is abrupt and unsatisfying, resolving tensions quickly without much payoff.