Abigail (2019)
Abigail is a Russian fantasy-adventure film directed by Aleksandr Boguslavskiy, set in a visually stunning, steampunk-inspired world. The story follows Abigail (Tinatin Dalakishvili), a young woman who embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth about her father’s disappearance and the mysterious quarantine that has isolated her city from the rest of the world.
In the film, Abigail lives in a walled-off city where a deadly “epidemic” has supposedly spread, leading the authorities to quarantine those infected and remove them from society. When Abigail was a child, her father was taken away under the pretense of infection. Years later, Abigail begins to question the government’s claims and discovers that the quarantine is a cover-up for the existence of magic, which the government suppresses.
As Abigail sets out to find her father, she learns that she possesses magical abilities herself, and with the help of a group of rebels, she uncovers the truth about her city’s authoritarian rulers. Along the way, she must embrace her powers and confront the forces trying to control and eradicate magic.
The film features impressive visual effects, imaginative world-building, and thrilling action sequences. While Abigail is primarily an adventure and fantasy film, it also explores themes of oppression, freedom, and self-discovery as Abigail battles against a totalitarian regime.
Though Abigail received mixed reviews, it is praised for its unique setting, striking visual style, and its blend of magic and steampunk aesthetics.