Sinking its teeth into US and UK cinemas this month is the horror movie, Abigail. The film – which opens in cinemas on Friday 19th April – is a vampire picture from directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.

Starring Alisha Weir (Matilda), alongside a cast which includes Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, and Giancarlo Esposito, the film tells the story of a group of kidnappers who capture a young girl named Abigail, in the hope of demanding a healthy ransom. However, they soon come to realise the error of their ways when Abigail turns out to be more than just an ordinary young lady.

Image: ©Universal Pictures
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Conceived as a reimagining of the Universal Monsters classic, Dracula’s Daughter, Abigail is the latest in a series of modern day horror films hoping to put a new spin on classic monster movies from Universal Pictures. Previous films include The Invisible Man (2020) and Renfield (2023), with more on the horizon.

But if you’re a horror fan who is itching to see Abigail, or you have a young horror fan in your household who is looking to give it a watch, what is the age rating of Abigail? Perhaps more importantly, is Abigaila movie for all, or do certain age restrictions apply?

Image: ©Universal Pictures
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In the US, Abigail is rated ‘R’ by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). The film is rated ‘R’ for strong bloody violence and gore throughout, as well as pervasive language and brief drug use.

An ‘R’ rating from the MPAA means Abigail is considered ‘Restricted’. In the US, anyone can view an ‘R’ rated movie, but those under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian.

Meanwhile, in the UK, Abigail has been awarded an ‘18’ certificate by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC). Abigail has been granted this certificate due to violence and frequent strong language, as well as high levels of injury detail, threat and horror.

In the UK, an ‘18’ certificate film is suitable for those aged 18 or over. No one under the age of 18 will be permitted to view the movie in the cinema.

Image: ©Universal Pictures

In answer to the questions above, and to simplify things, in the US Abigail is an ‘R’ rated movie, while in the UK Abigail is an ‘18’. Restrictions apply in both countries, although those restrictions differ considerably.

If you have a young horror fan in your household (i.e. a mid-teen), and you live in the US, then your teen will require a parent or guardian to watch the movie – if you believe it is appropriate for them to watch. However, in the UK, I’m afraid any mid-teens will simply have to sit this one out, as the age rating is too high.

And now you know.

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Editor/writer/vampire

Alex Wiggan

Alex is the writer and editor of It’s A Stampede! – a blog which specialises in movies, TV, comics, retro toys, and general geekery. He is a championing voice in nerd content, an expert in pop culture, and a trusted movie critic who publishes new reviews on a weekly basis. After graduating with a degree in film & television studies from the University of Derby in the UK, Alex went on to study journalism in Sheffield, before acquiring NCTJ accreditation. Prior to creating It’s A Stampede!, Alex was a magazine editor, a senior copywriter, a features writer, and a freelancer.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this post about Abigail on It’s A Stampede!. For more posts, check out the recommended reads below.

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