Before the events of The Conjuring convinced you to sell off Grandpa’s old farm house, there was Annabelle. The supernatural prequel follows the story of John and Mia Form, a young married couple expecting their first child. Shortly after John brings home a gift for his wife—a beautiful, vintage doll, if you’re into toys that look like they could eat your soul—the couple is brutally attacked by members of a cult. But the nightmare is only just beginning, as the cultists have managed to conjure a malevolent spirit who now possesses the once beloved plaything. Annabelle hits theaters October 3, but The A.V. Club has an opportunity for you to attend an early screening September 30, here in Chicago. For a chance to receive event passes simply follow the link here and enter the RSVP code AVCLUB7WHB. Remember, seating is first come, first serve, so arrive early! A synopsis and trailer for the film can be found below.
“She terrified you in “The Conjuring,” but this is where it all began for Annabelle. Capable of unspeakable evil, the actual doll exists locked up in an occult museum in Connecticut—visited only by a priest who blesses her twice a month. New Line Cinema’s supernatural thriller “Annabelle” begins before the evil was unleashed. John Form has found the perfect gift for his expectant wife, Mia—a beautiful, rare vintage doll in a pure white wedding dress. But Mia’s delight with Annabelle doesn’t last long. On one horrific night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple. Spilled blood and terror are not all they leave behind. The cultists have conjured an entity so malevolent that nothing they did will compare to the sinister conduit to the damned that is now…Annabelle.”