EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesAbigailFirst reactions to Scream directors' new horror movie are comparing it to a Tarantino classic and The Lost BoysWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesAbigailFirst reactions to Scream directors' new horror movie are comparing it to a Tarantino classic and The Lost BoysWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Universal)

Screamdirectors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s new vampire movie Abigail has pulled in a bunch of glowing first reactions ahead of its release, with critics calling it bloodsoaked, bonkers, and “the most fun” horror of 2024.
The film was screened at the Overlook Film Fest, a New Orleans-based genre event, recently, and seemed to go down well with viewers, who took to Twitter afterwards to gush about what they’d just seen. Some even compared it to the likes of fan(g) favorites The Lost Boys and Quentin Tarantino’s From Dusk Till Dawn.
Starring Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, andMatildabreakout Alisha Weir in the titular role, it follows a ragtag team of kidnappers who realize too late that the 12-year-old girl they’ve been asked to keep captive isn’t just the daughter of a mysterious, wealthy man; she’s a bloodsucking, manipulative monster, and a ballet-dancing one at that… Kathryn Newton, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Durand, Will Catlett, and the late Angus Cloud round out the cast.
“A blood-soaked blast that doesn’t pull any punches or fangs, ABIGAIL goes for the jugular with gory glee from start to finish. Such a fun screening! I have a feeling that David from THE LOST BOYS would approve…“wrote Daily Dead News editor Derek Anderson, who dressed up as Kiefer Sutherland’s character from the aforementioned 1987 classic, for the occasion.
(Image credit: Universal)

“[Abigail] is everything I want in a vampire flick: great characters, big laughs, and gallons of blood! The most fun I’ve had in the theater this year and I’m happy this sub-genre is making a big return,“said YouTube’s Cody Leach. “If you like Lost Boys and From Dusk Till Dawn, sink your teeth into this one!”
“When they said they used a lot of blood for this, they meant A LOT of blood.[Abigail] is seriously such a great time and one of the best theater experiences I’ve had! It’s got action, jumpscares, ballet routines, laughs, and did I mention a lot of blood?“praised TikTok content creator Gigi.
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Check out some more reactions below…
Not to sound like a dance mom, but #Abigail just danced her way into my current top 10 of the year. pic.twitter.com/OccUXNy0yDApril 7, 2024
Not to sound like a dance mom, but #Abigail just danced her way into my current top 10 of the year. pic.twitter.com/OccUXNy0yDApril 7, 2024
#Abigail is a bonkers bloody blast! It’s a wild and entertaining ride from start to finish with great performances (especially Dan Stevens, Melissa Barrera, and Alisha Weir). As a big Dracula fan, the opening scene put a big smile on my face. pic.twitter.com/wgIFbufwxuApril 7, 2024
#Abigail is a bonkers bloody blast! It’s a wild and entertaining ride from start to finish with great performances (especially Dan Stevens, Melissa Barrera, and Alisha Weir). As a big Dracula fan, the opening scene put a big smile on my face. pic.twitter.com/wgIFbufwxuApril 7, 2024
A killer ensemble vs a killer ballerina: #Abigail has gags, gore, twists, turns & fountains of blood. It’s READY OR NOT meets FROM DUSK TIL DAWN. Plus a cheeky PHENOMENA reference? The crowd cheered each kill with delight: I reckon Abigail sets the bar for popcorn horror in 2024. pic.twitter.com/pdDcYvod83April 7, 2024
A killer ensemble vs a killer ballerina: #Abigail has gags, gore, twists, turns & fountains of blood. It’s READY OR NOT meets FROM DUSK TIL DAWN. Plus a cheeky PHENOMENA reference? The crowd cheered each kill with delight: I reckon Abigail sets the bar for popcorn horror in 2024. pic.twitter.com/pdDcYvod83April 7, 2024
I thought long and hard about whether there was anything about #Abigail I would change … and there wasn’t. It’s everything I wanted it to be and so much more. I cannot believe how much I loved this movieI gave it a 10/10. Seriously.https://t.co/5NVJrOsyEGApril 7, 2024
I thought long and hard about whether there was anything about #Abigail I would change … and there wasn’t. It’s everything I wanted it to be and so much more. I cannot believe how much I loved this movieI gave it a 10/10. Seriously.https://t.co/5NVJrOsyEGApril 7, 2024
ABIGAIL is expertly choreographed insanity from RADIO SILENCE that injects new blood into the vampire horror game. You’ll be yelling until the very last plié. ABIGAIL: Never trust a bitch in Golden Goose. 🩰🩸 @TheOverlookFest #Abigail pic.twitter.com/oNESmH7y96April 7, 2024
ABIGAIL is expertly choreographed insanity from RADIO SILENCE that injects new blood into the vampire horror game. You’ll be yelling until the very last plié. ABIGAIL: Never trust a bitch in Golden Goose. 🩰🩸 @TheOverlookFest #Abigail pic.twitter.com/oNESmH7y96April 7, 2024
Abigail releases on April 19. While we wait, check out our guide to the most excitingupcoming horror moviesheading our way.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”