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This week we’re unpacking Annabelle (2014). We dissect the quality of its scares, reflect on its influences from other iconic horror films, and debate whether its characters give this Conjuring spinoff enough soul. In this episode's b-side, we investigate the Warrens’ accounts of the real Annabelle doll and consider a visit to her haunted museum. This episode contains spoilers, beginning at 18:42.
Mentioned in the Episode
Watch the Film
Annabelle (2014) (https://letterboxd.com/film/annabelle/)
Related Episodes
142: Happy Death Day (2017) (https://www.hackorslash.live/142-happy-death-day-2017/)
174: The Conjuring (2013) (https://www.hackorslash.live/174-the-conjuring-2013/)
181: Malignant (2021) (https://www.hackorslash.live/181-malignant-2021/)
197: Child’s Play 3 (1991) (https://www.hackorslash.live/197-childs-play-3-1991/)
204: Pet Sematary (1989) (https://www.hackorslash.live/204-pet-sematary-1989/)
217: Rosemary’s Baby (1968) (https://www.hackorslash.live/217-rosemarys-baby-1968/)
288: The Conjuring 2 (2016) (https://www.hackorslash.live/288-the-conjuring-2-2016/)
336: Dead Silence (2007) (https://www.hackorslash.live/336-dead-silence-2007/)
406: The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) (https://www.hackorslash.live/406-the-conjuring-the-devil-made-me-do-it-2021/)
408: The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) (https://www.hackorslash.live/408-the-conjuring-last-rites-2025/)
467: Bride of Chucky (1998) (https://www.hackorslash.live/bride-of-chucky-1998/)
Main Episode
How the Director of “Annabelle” Borrowed From Hitchcock to Make a Surprise Hit (https://www.fastcompany.com/3036809/how-the-director-of-annabelle-borrowed-from-hitchcock-to-make-a-surprise-hit)
Annabelle Wallis & Ward Horton Talk Annabelle and Rosemary’s Baby (https://collider.com/annabelle-wallis-ward-horton-annabelle-interview/)
Annabelle: Creation (2017) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annabelle:_Creation)
Annabelle Comes Home (2019) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annabelle_Comes_Home)
The Curse of La Llorona (2019) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Curse_of_La_Llorona)
Rosemary’s Baby, Episode 217 (https://www.hackorslash.live/217-rosemarys-baby-1968/)
Child’s Play 3, Episode 197 (https://www.hackorslash.live/197-childs-play-3-1991/)
Dead Silence, Episode 336 (https://www.hackorslash.live/336-dead-silence-2007/)
Pet Sematary, Episode 204 (https://www.hackorslash.live/204-pet-sematary-1989/)
Happy Death Day, Episode 142 (https://www.hackorslash.live/142-happy-death-day-2017/)
Malignant, Episode 181 (https://www.hackorslash.live/181-malignant-2021/)
Bride of Chucky, Episode 467 (https://www.hackorslash.live/bride-of-chucky-1998/)
The Strangers (2008) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Strangers_(2008_film))
Scream (1996) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scream_(1996_film))
Final Destination, Film Series (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Destination)
Terrifier (2016) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrifier)
The Mummy (2017) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mummy_(2017_film))
Star Wars, Film Series (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars)
Glee (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glee_(TV_series))
“Cherish,” The Association (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherish_(The_Association_song))
Crystal Lake: Episode 1, “Camp Crystal” (https://www.hackorslash.live/crystal-lake-1x1/)
Resident Evil (2026), Episode 465 (https://www.hackorslash.live/resident-evil-2026/)
B-side
Annabelle, The Allegedly Haunted Doll (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annabelle_(doll))
Raggedy Ann (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raggedy_Ann)
Ed and Lorraine Warren (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_and_Lorraine_Warren)
Haunted Warren Museum, Salem (https://hauntedwarrenmuseum.com/)
Cause of Death Revealed for Annabelle Doll Handler Dan Rivera (https://www.nbcboston.com/news/national-international/cause-of-death-dan-rivera-connecticut-paranormal-investigator-annabelle-doll-hander/3802850/)
Robert the Doll, Fort East Martello Museum (https://robertthedoll.org/visit/)
Halloween (1978) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween_(1978_film))
Halloween: Resurrection (2002) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween:_Resurrection)
Carrie (2026): Episode 1, “First Period” (https://www.hackorslash.live/carrie-2026-episode-1-first-period/)
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