Radio Silence, the filmmakers behind the horror hits Ready or Not, Scream (2022) and Scream VI, bring a brash and bloodthirsty new vision of vampires with ABIGAIL. A heist team is hired by a mysterious fixer to kidnap the daughter of a powerful underworld figure. They must guard the 12-year-old ballerina for one night to net a $50 million ransom. As the captors start to dwindle one by one, they discover to their mounting terror that they’re locked inside an isolated mansion with no ordinary little girl.

For in-depth thoughts on Abigail, please see my colleague Dom Fisher’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

Abigail arrives on Blu-Ray courtesy of Universal Studios Home Entertainment with a fetching AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.39:1. The level of detail in this presentation is exceptional at every turn, especially when it comes to the facets of the production design in the mansion. All of the subtle aspects of the costumes and environments are likewise razor-sharp. Even the practical gore effects are delightful in their grotesque beauty. There are no serious instances of aliasing or compression artifacts detectable here, but you might spot a subtle amount of digital noise.

The color palette is presented with a favorable depth that enhances the aesthetic of the photography. Black levels are deep with some stark detail in shadows. The highlights do not seem to present any blooming in this presentation. Skin tones are natural across the entire cast with even the most minor facial details like stubble on display. Universal has delivered a terrific transfer for this Blu-Ray, even if a 4K UHD Blu-Ray would have been preferable. If one ever gets released in the future, we will upgrade.

Audio Quality

The Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track brings a ferocious quality to this mix. Dialogue comes through clearly with no information feeling lost in the chaotic sound designs. Sound effects have a deft sense of direction within the mix with every aspect registering as substantial. The movie uses environmental sounds to wonderful effect, and the track retains firm detail even in the more violent developments. The soundscape is very dynamic with a complex design throughout. The low end kicks you in the chest when the moment calls for it. The soundtrack and score radiate out with ideal fidelity. Universal has crushed it with the audio experience. Optional English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles are provided.

Special Features

Audio Commentary: A commentary track with directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett and Editor Michael P. Shawyer who delve into the production, discuss the cuts made to make the movie flow better, their favorite character moments, the gore effects, and more.

Deleted & Extended Scenes: Three scenes of unused material totaling seven minutes are provided including an uninterrupted opening and more. There is some good stuff worth exploring for fans.

Gag Reel: Ten minutes of flubbed lines, ruined takes, malfunctioning props, laughing fits, and more.

Blood Bath: A seven-minute look at the practical gore effects implemented for the story.

Hunters To Hunted: A six-minute featurette that explores what drew the performers to the project, what makes them perfect for their characters, the casting process, and more.

Becoming A Ballerina Vampire: A nearly five-minute look at the intellectual and physical journey of Abby/Abigail which helped the cast and crew distinguish the two sides of the character.

Directing Duo Matt & Tyler: A nearly six-minute look at the filmmakers behind this insane project and what they inject into their stories.

Final Thoughts

Abigail is the type of unhinged genre fare that we love to indulge in when we need to step out of the arthouse world for a bit. Thankfully, Radio Silence has carved out a bit of a niche in this regard, and they succeed once again here – even if it is not their strongest outing to date. The really charming cast aids the buoyant nature of the narrative that will have you wincing and cheering at the carnage. Despite a handful of slower moments, the movie treks along at a good pace, and it holds up even after you know the twists and turns. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has released a Blu-Ray with an excellent A/V presentation and a worthwhile selection of special features. If you are a fan of the comically unhinged horror, you should not walk away disappointed. Recommended

Abigail will be available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD on July 9, 2024. The film is currently available on Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.