In the highly-anticipated vampire thriller "Abigail," directorial trio Radio Silence breathes new life into a classic story, providing viewers with a modern-day twist on the horror genre. Inspired by the 1936 film "Dracula's Daughter," the filmmakers embarked on a production journey that took them to Ireland in the spring of 2023, with the final product bearing little resemblance to its predecessor.

While "Dracula's Daughter" focused on Countess Marya Zaleska's struggle to overcome her vampirism after Dracula's demise, "Abigail" offers a fresh perspective by placing the central vampire role on a young girl named Abigail, played by Alisha Weir. Kidnapped by a group of mercenaries led by Frank (Dan Stevens) and Joey (Melissa Barrera), Abigail initially presents herself as the helpless daughter of a wealthy tycoon who can be ransomed for a handsome payout.

However, the plot thickens when Abigail reveals her true identity as the daughter of notorious crime lord Kristof Lazar. With Lazar's underworld connections, it becomes clear that the mercenaries' lives are in danger. As the film progresses, a startling revelation unfolds, revealing that Abigail has orchestrated her own "kidnapping" to exact revenge on the mercenaries, who have wronged Lazar in various ways.

Though the movie hints at Lazar being a modern-day incarnation of Dracula, the character's name is never explicitly mentioned. However, in a surprise unannounced cameo appearance, Matthew Goode portrays Lazar in the final scene of the film, adding to the intrigue and leaving room for speculation.

The making of "Abigail" witnessed its fair share of creative discussions and tweaks to the script. Director Tyler Gillett admits that the evolving nature of the storyline made it challenging to recall the story's original details. A major point of contention was the decision to turn Frank into a vampire, making him the movie's true antagonist, as Abigail and Joey unite to confront him.

Director Matt Bettinelli-Olpin notes that at one point, many characters were considered potential antagonists throughout different iterations of the script. The inclusion of Matthew Goode's character also remained a flexible aspect of the story, with the filmmakers questioning whether or not to feature his involvement.

Ultimately, the filmmakers chose to emphasize the crime aspect of the movie, ensuring the audience recognized it as more than just a vampire tale. By comparing the appearance of Lazar to Keyser Soze from the film "The Usual Suspects," the intention was to remind viewers of the broader world beyond the narrative confines of "Abigail."

The decision to cast Matthew Goode for the role of Lazar was based on his imposing presence, beauty, charisma, and gravitas. Filming his scenes on the final day of production, Goode impressed the directors with his commitment and willingness to experiment, even appearing on set covered in fake blood and gore.

Despite leaving open the possibility of a sequel, the focus of the filmmakers during the making of "Abigail" was to deliver a complete cinematic experience without holding onto ideas for potential future installments. Lead actors Alisha Weir and Melissa Barrera expressed openness to reprising their roles, but emphasized the importance of time if such plans were to materialize.

With the world premiere of "Abigail" generating positive buzz, fans of the supernatural and horror genres can expect a captivating and fresh take on a classic tale when the movie hits theaters. Radio Silence's willingness to reimagine a beloved story while maintaining its essence promises an exciting cinematic journey for audiences to indulge in.