The upcoming vampire movie Abigail found a comedic approach to the vampire mythology, according to its star. The movie releases on April 19 and is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who helmed 2022’s Scream and its sequel. It follows a group of kidnappers who capture the daughter of a powerful underworld figure and demand $50 million for her release, unaware the young girl is actually a vampire. The movie has a stellar cast including Scream actor Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Giancarlo Esposito, and Alisha Weir.
Following up with Screen Rant’s Abigail set visit to Ireland last year, our own Rob Keyes recently spoke with Barrera about how she loved finding a comedic side to the vampire mythology. She explained the approach the movie takes to its characters discovering a vampire for the first time, and how she believed this would mirror real-life reactions, adding to the comedic and meta appeal. Read her full quote below:
“I think my favorite part about this movie is that it’s a movie where, like, in our world, vampires don’t exist. So all of a sudden, you guys go to a party, and like you see a vampire. And you’re like, everything that I know about this earth now is challenged, because now there’s a vampire. And so they’re dealing with that’s part of the comedy. And I think that that’s so genius.
What anyone in the audience would say if they all of a sudden saw a vampire in real life, and you were like, “That’s not real, like, no, vampires aren’t real.” You go through all the stages of like, denial, grief and anger and all those because all of a sudden, we live in a world where vampires exist. And we have to use the knowledge that we know of films to know what to do, that kind of thing. So it’s very funny in that way, and kind of meta in that way.”
FAQ
What is the premise of “Abigail”?
“Abigail” follows a group of kidnappers who unknowingly capture a young girl who turns out to be a vampire. The movie explores the comedic aspects of characters encountering vampires for the first time.
Who is directing “Abigail,” and what is their background?
“Abigail” is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known for their work on the 2022 movie “Scream” and its sequel.
What is Melissa Barrera’s role in “Abigail,” and what did she say about the movie?
Melissa Barrera stars in “Abigail” and expressed her excitement about the comedic approach to vampire mythology in the film. She discussed how the characters’ reactions to encountering vampires mirror real-life reactions, adding a comedic and meta appeal to the movie.
How does “Abigail” blend horror and comedy?
While billed as a monster horror film, “Abigail” incorporates elements of humor into its storytelling. Barrera’s comments suggest that there will be plenty of comedic moments alongside the horror elements, making it a unique entry in the vampire genre.
Is “Abigail” expected to breathe new life into the vampire genre?
“Abigail” is viewed by Universal as a fresh direction for the vampire genre, combining horror and comedy in a way that hasn’t been seen much in recent times. With a strong cast and promising premise, the movie has the potential to revitalize interest in vampire-themed films.