A considerable improvement upon its predecessor, Annabelle: Creation successfully adds to the franchise mythology while taking the art of the jump scare to a new level.

If there was a formula that could determine the IQ of film characters depending on genre, there would be no doubt that horror movie characters would place dead last. Whether entering rooms that should never be entered, conjuring demons that should never be conjured, and never, ever turning on the lights, the level of arrogance and ignorance from scream queens to haunted families knows no bounds.

Yet their stupidity is our gain, with many a wrong turn and bad decision leading to scary moments galore. That is exactly what is found in Annabelle: Creation, the second attempt to lay the foundations of The Conjuring franchise after the dismal efforts of 2014’s Annabelle. It is credit to director David F. Sandburg (Lights Out) that he could resuscitate some life into this franchise after the uninspiring first movie.

First sign of improvement is in its casting, taking a cue from The Conjuring films and casting reliable character actors to help sell the horror. In this case Anthony LaPaglia and Miranda Otto star as doll maker Samuel Mullins and his wife Esther, a couple who lived in isolation after the death of their 5-year-old daughter 12 years ago. Opening their once vibrant home to Sister Charlotte (Stephanie Sigman) and 6 orphans under her charge, it doesn’t take long for an evil entity to take interest in these new house guests, especially the polio ridden Janice (Talitha Bateman.)

For those who have seen The Conjuring films, that well-honed formula of bump in the night, followed by tense filled anticipation, culminating in jump scare, is very much utilised in Annabelle: Creation. Yet under Sandburg’s charge this application of terror is handled skilfully. With his logic bereft characters providing the opportunities, Sandburg stages incredibly tense scares that will make many squirm, jump, and perhaps even laugh in appreciation at the entertainment factor of it all. It’s akin to that moment on a roller coaster just before you head downhill. You hate when it’s happening, but afterwards you want to do it all again.

LaPaglia and Otto bring that much needed dramatic foundation from which this saga of a possessed doll has emotional stakes. Most impressive are the performances from its child actors, especially Talitha Bateman who is equally sympathetic and frustrating as the curious cat who gets way more than she bargained for.

Horror movies provide a specific experience: to be scared, to be jostled, yet especially to be entertained. Annabelle: Creation does all those things, and does them very well.