Ruqayyah Snyder
The 2014 American supernatural horror film Annabelle received a rating of M (Mature) in Australia. The film, directed by John R. Leonetti, is a prequel to the 2013 horror film The Conjuring and tells the story of a possessed doll. While the film received negative reviews from critics, it was a commercial success, grossing over $257 million worldwide. The film features bloody horror, scary images, and jump-shock moments that might be unsuitable for younger audiences. Some viewers recommend the movie for those 11 years or older, while others suggest it may be too frightening for children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rating in Australia | Unspecified |
| MPAA rating | PG-13 |
| Common Sense Media recommendation | Suitable for children 11 and older |
| Metacritic score | 37 out of 100 |
| CinemaScore rating | B |
| Release date | October 3, 2014 |
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What You'll Learn
Plot
The plot of *Annabelle* centres on a young couple, Mia and John Form, who are expecting a baby. John gives Mia a vintage porcelain doll as a gift for their first child, to be placed in a collection in their daughter's nursery. That night, the couple is disturbed by the sounds of their next-door neighbours, the Higgins, being murdered during a home invasion. While Mia calls the police, she and John are attacked by the Higgins' killers. The police arrive and shoot one killer, a man, dead, while the female killer kills herself by slitting her throat inside the nursery while holding the doll.
News reports identify the assailants as the Higgins' estranged daughter, Annabelle, and her boyfriend, both members of a cult. In the days following the attack, a series of paranormal activities occur around the Forms' residence. Mia gives birth to a healthy baby girl, whom they name Leah, and the family moves to an apartment in Pasadena. However, the doll, now possessed by a demonic spirit, continues to terrorise the family.
Mia and her friend, Evelyn, a bookseller and fellow tenant, discover that the cult practised devil worship and summoned a demon that followed the family after they moved to their new apartment to claim a soul. Upon returning home, Mia and Leah are attacked by the demon, which reveals itself while manipulating the doll. Mia and John contact their parish priest, Father Perez, who explains that demons sometimes attach themselves to inanimate objects to achieve their goals, and that a human soul must be offered. Unable to exorcise the demon, Father Perez decides to take the doll to seek help from the Warrens, a couple of real-life ghostbusters. However, before he can enter the church, the demon impersonating Annabelle's spirit attacks him and grabs the doll. Father Perez is hospitalized, and when John checks on him, the priest warns him that the demon's true intention is to claim Mia's soul.
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Reception
The 2014 horror film Annabelle, a spin-off and prequel to the 2013 film The Conjuring, received mixed to negative reviews from critics. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes features both positive and negative reviews from users. One user writes, "The acting is excellent, and there are creepy moments. Sure, there are a few overly melodramatic soap opera moments. Scenes that could have used some improvement to be more natural, intense and scary." Another user writes, "For a horror film, there aren't a lot of scares and horror-esque scenes to be found here. Mostly people just scared of a doll and things that go bump in the night making this film a dull movie night." Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 37 out of 100 based on 27 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews. Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter criticized the film for its cheap production and screenplay, calling the acting "unmemorable" and "bland." Scott Foundas of Variety also gave the film a negative review, calling it "a cut-rate spinoff from James Wan's superlative haunted-house hit The Conjuring."
Despite the mixed to negative reviews, Annabelle was a box office success, grossing over $257 million against its $6.5 million production budget. The film was one of the first in a new strategy by distributors Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema to "capitalize on the built-in fan bases for successful films, allowing for smaller budgets and production time with a bigger payout on the back end."
The 2017 prequel Annabelle: Creation received generally positive reviews from critics. The film grossed over $306 million worldwide and broke several opening records for the horror genre. Outside North America, the film was released to positive reception from international audiences, which is reflected in its box office performance. It came in ahead of The Conjuring and Annabelle in many markets.
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Comparison to other films
Annabelle is a spin-off and prequel to the 2013 film The Conjuring. It is the second instalment in the Conjuring Universe and was created due to the success of The Conjuring.
Many critics have compared Annabelle to The Conjuring, with some saying that it borrows unabashedly from better horror films, including The Conjuring. The script has been described as "clichéd" and lacking humour and surprises.
One critic, Frank Scheck, called the film generic and formulaic, with unmemorable and bland acting. Scott Foundas of Variety called the film "a cut-rate spinoff" that makes up in crude shock effects what it lacks in craft, atmosphere, and just about every other department.
However, some viewers have praised the film for its acting, creepy moments, and fresh story.
The Annabelle film series currently includes three movies, with a fourth expected to be made. Annabelle Comes Home (2019) has been described as a "step up" from the first film, with effective scares and likable performances. Annabelle: Creation (2017) has been called the "best and scariest" of the Annabelle movies, with a talented director, great performances, and a chilling ending.
As of October 2024, Annabelle is the 30th highest-grossing horror film of all time.
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![Annabelle Trilogy (BD) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71QnsvdrFXL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Annabelle [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61z-kfJA2iL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Rating
In Australia, the Australian Classification Board is responsible for classifying films to inform consumers about the content of the film and the suitability for different audiences. The 2014 film "Annabelle", a spin-off and prequel to the 2013 film "The Conjuring", received an MA15+ rating in Australia. This rating means that the film is not recommended for children under 15 years of age.
The MA15+ rating for "Annabelle" in Australia indicates that the film contains content that is considered stronger in impact than that of the lower M rating. The content may include strong themes, violence, language, sex scenes, drug use, or other elements that are more intense or frequent than what would be allowed in an M-rated film.
The MA15+ rating for "Annabelle" is likely due to the horror elements and violent scenes depicted in the film. The film features a possessed doll, bloody horror, splattering blood, scary images, jump-shock moments, shooting, fighting, and dead bodies. There are also themes of demon possession and paranormal activities, which may be disturbing or frightening for younger viewers.
While the film does not feature any explicit sexual content or drug use, it contains some violent scenes and disturbing images that have been deemed unsuitable for children under 15 years of age. The film's intense and scary nature has been noted by viewers, who have described it as "spooky" and "leaving you on edge". Some viewers have also mentioned that the film is "not too gross, scary, or violent", indicating that it may be suitable for a wider range of audiences, including families and date nights.
It is important to note that the rating systems and guidelines can vary between different countries and regions, and the MA15+ rating in Australia may not directly correspond to the ratings in other parts of the world.
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Themes
The 2014 film "Annabelle" is a horror, mystery, and thriller movie that serves as a prequel to the 2013 film "The Conjuring". It centres around a couple, John and Mia Form, who are expecting a child. John gifts Mia a rare vintage porcelain doll to add to her collection, but that night, the couple is attacked by their neighbours' killers, and the doll becomes possessed.
The film received generally negative reviews from critics, who felt that it relied too heavily on jump scares and lacked a compelling story and interesting characters. However, it was a commercial success, grossing over $257 million worldwide.
Supernatural Forces and the Occult
The film delves into the supernatural and the occult, with the Annabelle doll becoming possessed and exhibiting ghost-like behaviour. This theme is further emphasised by the presence of a mystical woman who owns a bookstore with an occult section, and the Warrens' collection of cursed artefacts, including the Annabelle doll, which is kept in a case protected by a cross and blessed by a priest.
Religion
The film has been described as an "advertisement for the Catholic Church and Christian religion in general". The Warrens, who investigate supernatural phenomena, are Catholic, and their religion is portrayed as a force that can combat demonic entities. The film also features religious iconography and a possessed priest.
Fear and the Unknown
The film taps into the fear of the unknown, with the possessed doll and its unpredictable behaviour creating a sense of dread and uncertainty. This theme is further emphasised by the setting of the 1970s, a period marked by heightened interest in paranormal phenomena and supernatural investigations.
Family and Protection
The theme of family and protection is also present in the film. Despite the dangers posed by the doll, the family bands together to protect each other and their home. The Warrens, in particular, exhibit protective instincts towards their daughter, Judy, and her friends, emphasising the resilience of familial bonds.
Curiosity and Recklessness
The film serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of curiosity towards the supernatural. In "Annabelle Comes Home", it is Daniela's curiosity and reckless actions that unleash the malevolent spirit of Annabelle, endangering herself and the entire Warren household.
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Frequently asked questions
In Australia, the film Annabelle is rated MA 15+ for mature audiences.
The movie received a rating of 37 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.
The movie Annabelle is a spin-off and prequel to the 2013 film The Conjuring. It is a supernatural horror film about a possessed doll that won't stop until it possesses a human soul.
