Why Vampire Ballerina Makes That Decision Explained By Melissa Barrera

Abigail star Melissa Barrera explains why the titular vampire (Alisha Weir) makes one perplexing decision in the end. The black comedy horror movie serves as a reimagining of the 1936 film Dracula’s Daughter. It follows Abigail, a young ballet dancer targeted by a band of criminals trying to get to her powerful father through her. The group kidnaps the girl but soon realizes they are in far more danger when she’s revealed to be a deadly vampire. Despite much of the movie exploring her lethal abilities, the film ends with a surprisingly human gesture.

In an interview with IndieWire, Barrera explained why the young vampire chooses to spare the life of her character Joeyat the end of Abigail. She stated that the small connection formed between Joey and Abigail was real, despite much of the young ballerina’s actions and stories being an act. The pair connected because Joey was the only person who seemed to genuinely care about the little girl. Hence, she realized what Joey did for her and chose to repay her by saving her life. Check out Barrera’s statement below:

I think there’s a mirror situation going on between her and Abigail, I think that Joey is probably the first person that’s ever appeared to care for her. Despite it all being an act by Abigail, … there’s a point in the film where Joey’s like, ‘You told me all these things. You were acting, but what you told me, some of it is true,’ and that means that Abigail, her defenses kind of came down. Her walls came down a little bit, and she allowed Joey in, because Joey was letting her in. I think that that’s rare, and I think that we do that in life. … Sometimes it’s easier to talk to strangers.

I think that that connection is real, and I think that, in the end, it’s an act of gratitude from Abigail of like, ‘You helped me, and so this is my way of saying thank you. I will not kill you right now.’

Why Abigail’s Final Decision Is So Significant?

Even Abigail Stopped Her Father From Hurting Joey.

The decision to spare Joey’s life is a rare act of mercy, especially given the film’s major plot twist. At first, it seems the rag-tag group of criminals are simply very unlucky and just happened to unknowingly kidnap a vampire. Hence, Abigail’s rampage appears to be a response to being unceremoniously abducted. However, Joey and other Abigail characters start to grow suspicious when the girl seems to know their backstories and identities. It turns out it wasn’t a mere coincidence they kidnapped a vampire.

Related

Abigail’s “Rat Pack” Explained: Every Character’s Real Identity, Backstory & Role In The Heist

Abigail’s heist crew members are given aliases based on the real Rat Pack, but their backstories, true identities, and crimes are later disclosed.

The team was set up by their informant and leader, Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito). Lambert is also a vampire, having been transformed by Abigail and her father. He was then forced to work for the vampires, including setting up the whole abduction to allow the young girl to take out her father’s enemies. Given that it was all a trap, it seemed she was acting in any conversations with the criminals and wouldn’t allow any of them to walk out of the mansion alive, especially when Abigail’s father Kristof Lazar (Matthew Goode) shows up.

However, Abigail’s decision to spare Joey and convince her father to do the same shows she wasn’t wholly acting. She is capable of feeling human connection and gratitude after Joey helps to stop the just-transformed vampire Frank (Dan Stevens). The ending also shows her refusing to do her father’s dirty work, a small act of rebellion that raises hope for further adventures where she’s not just following her father’s orders. Therefore, despite being a centuries-old vampire, Abigail‘s ending shows that even the young ballerina has redeeming human qualities inside her.

Source: IndieWire

Abigail (2024)

Abigail is a 2024 horror thriller directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. The plot follows a group of people who kidnap the daughter of a dangerous crime lord only to discover that the little girl is actually a vicious vampire out for blood. Alisha Weir stars as the titular character alongside Kathryn Newton, Melissa Barrera, and Dan Stevens.

Director

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin , Tyler Gillett

Release Date

April 19, 2024

Distributor(s)

Universal Pictures

Writers

Guy Busick , Stephen Shields

Cast

Kathryn Newton , Dan Stevens , Giancarlo Esposito , Kevin Durand , Melissa Barrera , Alisha Weir , Angus Cloud , William Catlett