What Are Critics Saying About ‘Annabelle Comes Home’?

“Annabelle Comes Home” arrives in theaters this Wednesday, primed to terrify audiences once again with not just the titular doll, but also an abundance of monsters and demons from across the world of “The Conjuring.”

Reviews have started to come in for the sequel, and critics appear divided over the film’s approach. Some have praise for its entertainment value and director Gary Dauberman’s strong control behind the camera, while others have taken issue with its perceived lack of genuine scares. Here’s a sample of what critics have been saying:

Collider – Haleigh Foutch

“Across the board, ‘Annabelle Comes Home,’ is a blast from start to finish, a horror-fuelled babysitting adventure that sends plucky teens into peril and watches them faces down the odds. One of the biggest compliments I can give: It’s such an energetic, fun-loving horror film that it’s bound to become a regular in my Halloween-season watchlist.”

Cinema Blend – Eric Eisenberg

“[A] breath of fresh air for The Conjuring Universe that both surprises with a lighter touch and demonstrates the incredible potential for the expanding continuity.”

Dread Central – Jonathan Barkan:

“‘Annabelle Comes Home’ may be infused with a healthy dose of humor but the laughs never come at the expense of the scares. Dauberman isn’t afraid to let tensions ramp up to nigh-unbearable levels.”

Entertainment Weekly – Darren Franich:

“‘Annabelle Comes Home’ is only a little scary and too religiously dedicated to its own ongoing cash-printing megafranchise for big laughs. But the best moments in this low-key domestic horror film have a tossed-off quality, like the whole production cycle was a fun weekend for everybody.”

MovieWeb – Julian Roman:

“‘Annabelle Comes Home’ is a brainless sequel that telegraphs every scare. It never deviates from the standard horror movie formula.”

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema will release “Annabelle Comes Home” on June 26.