Two new films carry on a horror tradition to varying degrees of success

The sight of Annabelle belted in the back seat of the Warren’s car as she’s chauffeured home to the relative safety of the family’s prized collection of demon memorabilia opened the show with a grin. In no time, the smile turned upside down. Here’s a horror sequel that wants to be anything other than what it is: a picture about an evil doll. For what feels like an hour, an unseen boogey-person chases three girls around a house. Isn’t this essentially Halloween with a dirty doll standing in for Jason? At least Jason did more than simply sit in a glass case. And who ordered a werewolf?! Why not give Annabelle the power to fly or pilot a speedboat? Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson are smart enough to phone in their performances; as soon as a babysitter is hired to look after their daughter, the two actors pick up their checks and exit the picture until a plot hiccup demands they return for the climax. Screenwriter and first time director Gary Dauberman (It, The Nun) shows a capacity to direct as poorly as he writes.

Seven movies into the ‘Conjuring’ universe, the latest installment proves the franchise still has life in it.

'Annabelle Comes Home' proves the third time's a charm for the Hello-Dolly horror spin-off — it's an efficient scare machine. Our review.

Set in 1973, amid a forest of shag carpeting, “Annabelle Comes Home”is a nice little summer surprise, and quite unexpectedly the freshest of the three “Annabelle” movies spun off from the larger “Conjuring” galaxy of horror films.Most of the action confines itself to the suburban Connecticut split-level home of demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick […]

They used to call Hitchcock "The Master of Suspense." Gary Dauberman is no Alfred Hitchcock. Not yet. But the directing debut of the fellow who's been conjuring these haunted doll "Annabelle" movies makes his directing debut in a stylish and above all else suspenseful third film in this corner of the "Conjuring" universe -- "Annabelle…

The diabolical dolly is back

A third outing for that damned doll, and yet more proof that “the Conjuring Cinematic Universe” is indestructible. Do the maths. Every critic is talking about Midsommar, which has made roughly $12 million. No critic is talking about Annabelle Comes Home, which has already earned $135 million.

Babysitting goes way wrong in the demon-stuffed spin-off showcase 'Annabelle Comes Home.'

The haunted-house spookfest delivers on its title with the best “Conjuring” spin-off so far, in large part because it has such modest aims.

Everyone's favorite demonic doll returns to prove the 'Conjuring' universe has got life (and scares) in it yet.

After an excitingly popular debut during The Conjuring's prologue, the creepily revamped Annabelle doll (its real-life counterpart was actually a Raggedy Anne) earned the title role in the first spin-off of this ever-growing horror universe. That installment left much to be desired with screenwriter Gary Dauberman eventually redeeming himself three years later with Annabelle: Creation, thanks

Annabelle is a doll, but she is not Chucky. She is not possessed by an evil spirit. Rather, she is…