Annabelle

California, 1967. John Form gives his pregnant wife, Mia, a vintage doll. That night, the Higgins next door are murdered by their daughter, Annabelle, and her boyfriend, members of a satanic cult. Annabelle dies clutching the doll. From then on, the doll is at the center of a string of attacks. The family moves to Pasadena after their daughter, Leah, is born, but it keeps happening. Father Perez and bookstore owner Evelyn step in. They learn a demon wants Leah's soul. Evelyn offers herself instead and jumps out a window with the doll. The doll vanishes and, a year later, is sold to a mother buying a gift for her daughter, Debbie.

1. ReferenceMia and John, Rosemary's Baby style

   The couple is named Mia and John, a nod to Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes, the leads of Rosemary's Baby (1968). Both films have an apartment, a pregnancy and a cult.

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2. Behind the scenesThe star is named Annabelle too

   Mia is played by Annabelle Wallis. John R. Leonetti, the cinematographer on The Conjuring, directed.

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3. SetupThe doll changes hands

   In the last scene, an antique shop sells the doll to a mother buying a gift for her daughter, Debbie. That links to the nurses at the start of The Conjuring.

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