Abigail ★★★½

IN BETWEEN recent instalments of the Scream franchise, horror directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have taken some time out to give us the thoroughly enjoyable Abigail.

The film is actually a loose adaptation of a 1930s horror film which I’m not going to tell you the title of because it’s kind of a spoiler for a late reveal.

In this version the always engaging Dan Stevens is a former cop leading a ragtag group of criminals hired to kidnap a 12-year-old girl and keep her captive in an isolated mansion while they wait for her rich father to cough up $50 million.

Also in the gang is a former Army medic, played by Melissa Barrera, a Mafia strongman (Kevin Durand), a hacker, a driver and a former Marine sniper.

All are skilled and dangerous people, but what they come up against in the girl and her family leaves a bloody trail of furious retribution.

Every element of the film adds up to a very efficient horror thriller, with a little bit of comedy thrown in, that should keep you entertained throughout its running time.

Alisha Weir is particularly good as young Abigail, a little girl you do not want to get on the wrong side of.

Watched at the cinema.