Really, why do dolls scare us sometimes? When I saw her in The Conjuring I knew I'd love the film and I do! Take her away, and I still love it. But she is 'scare insurance.' !!!
Before I give you my review, here are just a few thoughts on scary dolls: I think they are scary or can be so easily because they are passive. Dolls are child-like and children should be sweet and innocent looking. When representations of them are not, it's unsettling as in very.
Annabelle is one creepy doll. I would not sleep in the same house with that doll. I really wouldn't. She looks like she's about to jump out at you. That spindly glass case won't hold her. No way, she'd be in your face in a second. And then you'd be finished. In fact, you might even be lucky if she did finish you off, because there's so much more she could do!
Okay, so--The Conjuring Review:
Real-life psychic investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren are central to this film.
Three people tell them about their experiences with Annabelle--a doll that is supposed to be possessed. This is three years before the time our story is set in.
In 1971, Carolyn and Roger Perron move into a dilapidated, old farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island with their five daughters. During the first day, the family are there everything is fine except, the dog, Sadie refuses to go into the house.
Well, that's when I'd have turned around and left. Honest. First of all, I wouldn't have had my dogs sleep outside. Yes, I know they are both spoiled and we love them that way. Seriously, animals sense things that humans don't very often. So if they look creeped out there's a reason! They know stuff!
Ah, but the Perrons don't pay attention to Sadie at their peril. That's capital 'P', peril.
The scary stuff begins. The hide and clap game they play is really terrifying.There was such menace when the game was played, it was palpable. Still, the family go to bed even though poor Sadie is barking outside. Then something is pulling at one of the kid's feet. Very unsettling!
The next morning, Sadie is found dead and Carolyn (the mom) has mysterious bruises on her back, then all over! And if that isn't weird, she hears clapping when there's no one there. One daughter sleepwalks--but really all she does is stand at a wardrobe banging her head.
Eventually, Ed and Lorraine Warren, noted paranormal investigators are called in. Something's going on they say. A bad spirit has latched onto to the family. That's most unsettling to hear and what with the dead dog, bruises, clapping noises and one sleepwalking kid banging her head on the wardrobe door--well I'd have been out of there, wouldn't you have been?
There was one scene that was so scary (and I don't scare easily) I nearly screamed. In fact I think I did because my dog ran over to comfort me! Not telling you because it would spoil the scare!
Okay, the psychic investigators determination is they need an exorcism but further evidence and approval from the Catholic Church is needed in order for this to take place.
The Warrens begin to research the house and find the horrific accounting of a supposed witch. I mean this woman was caught by her husband as she was sacrificing their week old infant. This cannot be postpartum depression; no way, right?
There have actually been (and I checked on this, see bottom of post) a lot of murders and suicides--in this farmhouse that is still standing. That is more than creepy. Just saying.
Our paranormal investigators dutifully set up thermal cameras to gain evidence for an official exorcism.
Things are alright for a while but then the sleepwalking--head banging daughter starts up again and doors slam--worse than that is the scene where Lorraine sees spirits of people the witch (Bathsheba) has possessed. This was a bitch of a witch. Not a nose wrinkling cute Elizabeth Montgomery, either!
At one point mom Carolyn goes nuts and tries to attack her own daughters. There is more immediacy because of this so Ed performs the Exorcism himself while Carolyn is restrained. Lorraine is able to temporarily distract the possessed Carolyn from killing her daughter by reminding her of a special memory she shared with her family, allowing Ed to complete the exorcism, saving Carolyn and April.
Ironically the priest does finally get permission but it's all been resolved. No ghost busters needed.
Now, there is more. In fact there is a great site about the hauntings and mysterious deaths, murders, suicides reported in this farmhouse over the years! I kid you not! Be sure to visit the link below.
And there is actually information about Annabelle--well it was a Raggedy Ann doll, you see. Of course nothing can beat Annabelle for pure scare.
The picture above comes from History Hollywood. Please visit the link it's got an amazing amount of information:
http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/conjuring.php
With regard to the doll--although unrelated to this film and the story depicted, there is a connection with the Warrens on a separate case in 1970.
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