How a 2024 horror film reimagines the classic vampire through a balletic lens

Art · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The 2024 film Abigail transforms the traditional vampire trope into a high-stakes, blood-soaked heist. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the movie follows criminals who kidnap a young ballerina, only to discover she is a centuries-old predator. It is a stylish, gore-filled subversion of classic monster lore.

Released in April 2024, Abigail was developed by Radio Silence Productions as a modern, filmmaker-driven take on Universal's classic monster library. While initially announced as an adaptation of the 1936 film Dracula's Daughter, the final product intentionally avoids direct ties to the Dracula mythos. Instead, the directors focused on crafting a standalone horror-comedy that blends gothic aesthetics with contemporary, fast-paced action. The film was shot in Dublin, Ireland, primarily at the historic Glenmaroon House, and features Alisha Weir as the titular character, a vampire who uses her ballet training to inform her predatory movements.

The plot centers on a group of six criminals who kidnap a young girl, unaware that she is the daughter of a powerful crime lord named Kristof Lazaar. The heist quickly devolves into a survival horror scenario when the girl reveals her true nature. The film explores themes of power and familial rejection, as the protagonist, a former medic named Joey, discovers that the kidnapping was a setup designed by the vampire to eliminate her father's enemies. The narrative relies on a series of violent twists, including the transformation of the kidnappers themselves into vampires, forcing the survivors to navigate a lethal trap.

Critically, the film received generally positive reviews, with an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the ensemble cast and the film's ability to balance humor with excessive, ornate gore. Despite a modest theatrical performance, grossing $43 million against a $28 million budget, the film found significant success on streaming platforms. It stands as a notable entry in the 2024 horror landscape, recognized for its unique stylistic flair and the performance of its young lead, who performed her own stunts and learned ballet specifically for the role.

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