Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

Last updated:
September 8, 2025

Annabelle Comes Home (2019) is the third installment in the Annabelle spin-off series from The Conjuring Universe. Directed by Gary Dauberman in his directorial debut, it continues the eerie tale of the possessed doll Annabelle while expanding the mythos of the Warrens’ haunted artifact collection.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Opening: Containment of Annabelle

The film begins with Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga) taking Annabelle into their custody after a series of malevolent events. They explain that the doll is not possessed itself but serves as a conduit for demonic entities. To neutralize its power, they seal it in a sacred glass case inside their artifact room, surrounded by holy protection.

Babysitting Duty

When the Warrens leave for an overnight case, their daughter Judy (Mckenna Grace) stays home under the care of babysitter Mary Ellen (Madison Iseman). Mary Ellen’s friend Daniela (Katie Sarife), grieving the loss of her father, visits the house out of curiosity. Obsessed with contacting her deceased parent, Daniela sneaks into the artifact room and touches everything she can find—ultimately unlocking Annabelle’s case.

The Haunting Unleashed

With Annabelle free, her presence awakens the dormant spirits and cursed objects in the room. Soon, Mary Ellen, Judy, and Daniela are tormented by multiple entities, including:

The Ferryman, a terrifying spirit associated with coins over the eyes of the dead.
The Bride, a cursed wedding dress that possesses its wearer.
A demonic werewolf-like spirit that stalks the girls outside.
The night becomes a survival test as the house transforms into a nightmare fueled by Annabelle’s influence.

Daniela’s Struggle

Daniela’s guilt over her father’s death makes her particularly vulnerable. She experiences visions of him and is manipulated by Annabelle into believing she can reconnect with him. This subplot adds emotional weight, grounding the horror in grief and guilt rather than simple jump scares.

Movie Ending

As the horrors escalate, Judy, Mary Ellen, and Daniela realize that the only way to end the chaos is to lock Annabelle back in her case. They endure terrifying attacks from various cursed objects while navigating the artifact room. Judy, showing bravery beyond her years, uses her inherited psychic sensitivity to guide them.

In the climax, Daniela is lured by visions of her father but ultimately resists the temptation, understanding that Annabelle is manipulating her grief. Working together, the girls manage to subdue the doll and return it to its glass case. Once sealed, the other spirits immediately calm, proving that Annabelle was the catalyst behind everything.

The Warrens return the next morning to find their daughter and friends safe, though visibly shaken. The movie ends with Judy’s birthday party, symbolizing a return to normalcy and closure. Daniela finds peace, Mary Ellen and Judy’s bond grows stronger, and Annabelle remains locked away—until the next chapter.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Annabelle Comes Home does not feature any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the story is concluded without teasing future installments directly, though the broader Conjuring Universe obviously continues.

Type of Movie

This is a supernatural horror film that blends haunted house thrills with emotional drama. It combines traditional jump scares, atmospheric dread, and character-driven storytelling within the shared Conjuring universe.

Cast

Mckenna Grace as Judy Warren
Madison Iseman as Mary Ellen
Katie Sarife as Daniela Rios
Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren
Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren
Supporting appearances include Michael Cimino as Bob, who provides moments of comic relief and lightheartedness.

Film Music and Composer

The eerie and unsettling score was composed by Joseph Bishara, who has scored many entries in the Conjuring universe. His heavy use of distorted strings and unsettling soundscapes enhances the suffocating tension of the movie.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed primarily in California, especially on sets designed to replicate the Warrens’ house and the infamous artifact room. Since most of the film takes place inside this home, the set design itself becomes a “character,” immersing the audience in the claustrophobic atmosphere of a single haunted location.

Awards and Nominations

While Annabelle Comes Home didn’t sweep major awards, it was nominated for a few horror-focused accolades, including:

Fright Meter Awards (nominations for Best Supporting Actress and Best Horror Film).
The movie was praised for its atmosphere and acting, particularly Mckenna Grace’s performance, though some critics felt it relied heavily on standard scare tactics.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Gary Dauberman, who had written previous entries (Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation), stepped into the director’s chair for the first time here.
Mckenna Grace studied recordings of Lorraine Warren to capture her psychic abilities more authentically.
The artifact room was meticulously recreated from real photographs of the Warrens’ actual collection.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga’s appearances were limited due to scheduling but gave the film a continuity boost.

Inspirations and References

The movie directly draws from the real-life Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators who claimed to have kept haunted objects in their artifact room. The doll Annabelle is based on a real Raggedy Ann doll that the Warrens said was cursed. The film fictionalizes and amplifies these stories, weaving them into a cinematic universe.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Deleted scenes mainly expand Daniela’s backstory and grief, further showing her longing to contact her father. An alternate version of Judy’s birthday ending existed but was scrapped to maintain pacing. None significantly altered the central conclusion.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is not based on a direct book adaptation but pulls from the Warrens’ case files and the broader lore surrounding their artifact room. The biggest difference is tone: the real Annabelle case is far simpler, while the movie expands it with multiple demonic entities for cinematic effect.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Annabelle being locked in the sacred glass case for the first time.
Daniela unlocking the artifact room and unleashing chaos.
Judy leading the group through the house using her psychic gift.
The terrifying confrontation with the Ferryman.
The emotional resolution at Judy’s birthday party.

Iconic Quotes

Ed Warren: “The doll’s just a conduit, a beacon for other spirits.”
Judy: “You always told me ghosts can’t hurt you. But they can.”
Lorraine Warren: “Annabelle is an evil presence. She must never be uncontained.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Sharp-eyed fans can spot several cursed objects in the artifact room that reference other Conjuring spin-offs.
The samurai armor hints at another untold haunting story.
Judy’s psychic visions connect her to Lorraine, reinforcing her role in future installments.

Trivia

Mckenna Grace, who plays Judy, also starred in The Haunting of Hill House, further cementing her reputation as a rising horror actress.
This was the first Conjuring Universe film set almost entirely in one location.
James Wan, the creator of the Conjuring universe, produced the film but let Dauberman take full creative lead.

Why Watch?

If you love haunted house stories with claustrophobic tension, cursed objects, and interconnected lore, Annabelle Comes Home is a perfect pick. It offers both scares and heart, grounding the supernatural terror with themes of family, grief, and courage.

Director’s Other Movies

Since Gary Dauberman was making his directorial debut here, he is better known as a screenwriter for:

Annabelle Comes Home (2019)