Despite some negativity, many critics praised specific elements that saved the movie from being "Rotten":
A across the entire Conjuring Universe.
: Detractors argued the film relied too heavily on jump scares and formulaic tropes. For those seeking the psychological weight of the original Conjuring , the movie's relatively low stakes and "Scooby-Doo" vibe felt like a step backward for the franchise. Conclusion annabelle comes home rotten
Reviewers like those at the Chicago Reader praised the film as an "uncommonly handsome scary movie" that respects the audience's intelligence. Others enjoyed its "middle-school horror" vibe, comparing it to a funhouse ride that offers consistent chills. Despite some negativity