ANNABELLE: CREATION
Christ’s Gospel is stronger than evil — but this horror is for adults.
Should You Watch It?
ANNABELLE: CREATION is an unusually well-made horror movie. Its music and pacing are exceptional, and it repeatedly avoids predictable scares in favor of unexpected turns. The film also includes strong Christian content: prayer, Scripture, crosses, positive mentions of Jesus, and the clear statement that the Gospel is stronger than evil.
That strength comes with a serious cost. The movie contains a demon, frightening occult elements, and strong, scary violence. It also leaves the battle unresolved, probably to make way for a sequel. Sensitive viewers may find the experience especially difficult.
If you are an adult who appreciates expertly crafted horror and can handle its content, this is worth seeing. For children, young teens, and sensitive viewers, choose something else.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESA dollmaker and his wife, devastated by the loss of their daughter, open their country home to six orphan girls and a nun twelve years later. One of the girls, Janice, discovers a life-size doll made for the couple’s daughter.
Soon, a demon begins manipulating the house and tormenting its new residents. As the girls and nun struggle to understand what is happening, they must find a way to escape without harm.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is extremely well-made horror. The film’s music builds tension brilliantly, growing louder before dropping into extended silence. Its pacing is also excellent.
ANNABELLE: CREATION is especially effective because it refuses to deliver the predictable horror-movie moment just when you expect it. Instead, unexpected and frightening turns keep the story tense. This is polished, skillful filmmaking, even though its unresolved battle against evil may frustrate some viewers.
The Worldview
ANNABELLE: CREATION presents a Christian, biblical, moral worldview in the middle of a supernatural horror story. It includes prayer, Scripture, crosses, a crucifix, a rosary, positive mentions of Jesus, and comments about faith and feeling God. It also explains that priests perform exorcisms and clearly says that the Gospel is stronger than evil.
The film favors good over evil and presents spiritual resistance as meaningful. However, the demonic evil is not totally defeated. The battle remains unresolved, likely because the film is a prequel and was intended to lead into a sequel. That leaves the movie’s moral affirmation alongside an incomplete victory.
The film’s central claim—that the Gospel is stronger than evil—aligns with Scripture’s confidence in Christ’s triumph: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian, moral worldview with some scary occult elements, showing good battling evil in the form of a demon and clearly favoring good over evil, positive mentions of Jesus, prayers are said, crucifix and crosses are shown all around the house, positive comments about faith and how we feel God, it is said that the Gospel is stronger than evil, and a rosary is involved, but there’s no resolution to the battle between good and evil (probably because of intentions to make a sequel and because the movie itself is a prequel to another movie); one light obscenity and no profanities; strong, scary, spooky violence includes girl falls down stairs, man is killed, woman’s face is marred, woman is killed and torn apart, and [SPOILERS] demon torments girl and demon possesses child; no sexual content; no nudity; no alcohol; no smoking or drug use; and, nothing else objectionable.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The movie says that the Gospel is stronger than evil. What does the Bible say about Christ’s victory over darkness?
John 1:5 · Colossians 2:15The film includes prayer, Scripture, crosses, and a rosary. How should Christians respond when they are afraid, and where should their confidence rest?
Psalm 56:3–4 · Philippians 4:6–7The battle between good and evil is left unresolved. How does Scripture give believers hope even when evil still appears active?
Romans 8:37–39 · Revelation 21:3–4The film presents good and evil as moral realities. How can we recognize and resist evil in our own lives?
Ephesians 6:10–18 · James 4:7The Final Word
ANNABELLE: CREATION is polished, tense, and unusually thoughtful for modern horror, with Christian truths at its center. But its frightening occult elements and strong violence make it unsuitable for children, young teens, and sensitive viewers. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For family viewing, choose from.
