Annabelle Comes Home (2019) Movie Review

The film will pick up with the Warrens bringing Annabelle to the place where it can really no longer wreak havoc, which is their artifact room, of course, it turns out she can also wreak havoc there. And she really awakens the evil within that room and they target the Warrens’ 10-year-old daughter, Judy.

Studio: New Line Cinema (Warner Bros.)
Release date: June 26, 2019
Director: Gary Dauberman
MPAA Rating: R
Screenwriter: Gary Dauberman
Starring: McKenna Grace, Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Katie Sarife
Genre: Horror

The incredible Conjuring franchise continues with Annabelle Comes Home, a movie that takes the concept of Pandora's Box to a whole new level. The curiosity of Daniela Rios comes back to bite her in a horrifying way. Though this story is not based on a true Warren case, it serves as an example that would satisfy any fan of the Conjuring franchise. In every film in which the Warren home appears on scene, so does Annabelle trapped inside her glass prison. Each member of the Warren family treats Annabelle with extreme fear. She is no doubt the biggest threat in their collection of evil artifacts.

One can only wonder, what events would occur if Annabelle escapes? Indeed, she embarks on a horrifying campaign to seize the precious soul of Judy Warren, daughter of Ed and Lorraine Warren. Annabelle thrives off of the power of her surrounding artifacts. Not only does Annabelle escape, but also many other artifacts. Everything Daniela touches. She admits to touches everything. Why?

Daniela is in search of answers. She struggles to process the recent death of her father. Guilt plagues her. Desperate to alleviate her guilt, she sneaks into the Warrens' artifact room hoping to reach the spirit of her father. Instead, she opens a Pandora's Box of demons, servants of Satan, the father of lies. His message does not relieve her guilt. It is filled with shame and damnation. He feeds on her fear and takes advantage of her grief. With the Warrens unavailable to contradict this message, she slowly surrenders to it.

• Satan's message: You killed your father. There is no forgiveness.
• God's message: Your father's death is not your fault. He loves and misses you.

However, in a stroke of the worst luck imaginable, the Warrens (God's messengers) are unavailable to give Daniela this message and protect her from Annabelle (Satan's messenger). They leave their home and daughter in the hands of Mary Ellen, a blissfully ignorant teenager.

Here in-lies the depth of the message. This film serves as more than a what-if thriller. It's deeper message could be the most important of the entire Conjuring franchise. What would happen when a hurting soul reaches out to the spiritual world without a proper guide? That soul becomes vulnerable to lies, guilt, fear, and damnation. Satan would do anything to lead God's children astray. To keep the lost in the dark forever.

All three girls have different levels of spiritual maturity. Yet, they are all vulnerable to Annabelle and her minions. Therefore, Annabelle attacks all of them.

Mary Ellen represents a blissful unbeliever. She is happy with her life, unburdened by tragedy. She does her job as a guardian to Judy, yet she falls short by allowing a reckless, nosy teenager into the house. A true guardian would send Daniela home without hesitation. Instead, Mary Ellen allows Daniela to roam the house unattended, which leads to the escape of Annabelle.

Meanwhile, Daniela represents a curious unbeliever. Tragedy plagues her. She is desperate for answers and opens herself up to a world she does not understand. However, without a proper guide, she is vulnerable to the darkness.

Judy is the unseasoned believer, which is why Annabelle targets her soul. Her knowledge of God's truth is a threat the Father of Lies. All messengers are a threat to Satan's work. However, Judy is not ready to face the world alone. She is afraid of her gift. She resists God's work. Her message to Daniela falls short.

Only a seasoned, confident messenger (Lorraine Warren) can provide Daniela with the message she craves: forgiveness, love, and peace. This message sets her free.

What kind of messenger are you? Can you effectively give the lost, both curious and content, the true message of Jesus Christ? What more can we do to save these precious souls from the Father of Lies?