Annabelle: Creation

"One of last year’s best horror surprises was Mike Flanagan’s Ouija: Origin of Evil, a film that looked and sounded like another franchise cash-in, but was in reality much, much better than that (and definitely better than the first Ouija). Similarly, Annabelle: Creation doesn’t inspire highest of hopes, being an origin story for the titular doll from the lousy but hugely successful 2014 spin-off of James Wan’s The Conjuring."

"This effective yet empty-headed horror movie goes to show how eager audiences are to be scared, and how even an unsightly doll can do the trick when the spirit is willing."

"Forget 2014's Annabelle - this is the only Conjuring prequel you need."

"The fourth film in the Conjuring Universe, Annabelle: Creation is well performed, but the rhythm of the scares feels slightly off. Characters scream when they should be quiet and whimper when they should be hollering their heads off."

"As a compendium of scenes that very nearly add up to a horror movie, Annabelle: Creation is pretty much a masterclass cut into five minute episodes."

"Time to put Annabelle back in the box."

"Sandberg demonstrates a deft affinity for the elaboration of horror conventions, as well as the expansion of the Conjuring universe."

"Hardcore horror buffs may laugh and scoff at the mechanics of some of the scares; the rest may never be able to walk past the window of a toy shop without crossing themselves."

"With Annabelle: Creation he manages to successfully do his own thing while still respecting a past installment - and considering how I felt about the past installment, that's extremely impressive."