Wilson and Farmiga are praised as talented, appropriately famous leads; her unusual energy makes her especially well cast. — Bill Simmons
The leads are praised for serving the horror premise rather than demanding showy character showcases; the period setting makes the film timeless. — Chris Ryan
Annabelle’s redesign from a less frightening real-life doll is praised, along with the opening claim that the case had been kept secret. — Bill Simmons
The first two horror rules are to leave a house with a secret crawl space and noose, and listen to a dog that refuses to enter. — Bill Simmons
The quick dismissal of the dead dog prompts a disputed claim that people cared less about pets in the 1970s.
Further rules concern a boarded-up cellar and researching a house bought at bank auction. — Bill Simmons
Repeated disturbances at the same overnight hour and unexplained bruising should alert the family. — Bill Simmons
Slow zooms, title fonts and homages to earlier horror films are praised; Lili Taylor is singled out as perfectly cast.
