Abby

Abby (1974) is a supernatural horror film directed by William Girdler, often considered a blaxploitation take on The Exorcist. The film blends elements of possession horror with themes of African spirituality, offering a unique perspective within the genre. Starring Carol Speed, William Marshall, and Terry Carter, Abby is both a thriller and a cultural commentary.

Plot Summary:

The story begins with Dr. Garrett Williams (played by William Marshall), an archaeologist and minister, traveling to Nigeria to study ancient African artifacts. During his research, Dr. Williams uncovers a mysterious and cursed box, inadvertently releasing Eshu, an African trickster god and spirit of chaos and sexuality. This malevolent force travels to the U.S. and possesses Abby (played by Carol Speed), the wife of a young minister, Reverend Emmett Williams (played by Terry Carter), who is also Dr. Williams' son.

After the possession, Abby’s behavior drastically changes. Once a loving and devoted wife, she now exhibits erratic and dangerous tendencies. Her personality becomes overtly sexual, aggressive, and violent, alienating those around her and leaving her husband in shock. As Abby’s condition worsens, it becomes clear that a powerful demonic force has taken control of her.

Dr. Williams returns to the U.S. and realizes that the spirit of Eshu is responsible for Abby’s transformation. He and Reverend Emmett must work together to perform an exorcism and free Abby from the grip of the ancient spirit. The film builds toward a tense and dramatic climax, where Dr. Williams confronts the malevolent force in a desperate attempt to save Abby's life and soul.

Key Themes:

• Spirituality and the clash between African traditions and Christianity.
• The psychological and physical toll of demonic possession.
• The exploration of sexuality and repression within the framework of possession horror.
• Familial bonds and the fight for redemption.

Abby was a hit with audiences but faced legal challenges from Warner Bros., which claimed it was too similar to The Exorcist. Despite these challenges, the film became a cult classic, notable for its portrayal of African American characters in the horror genre and for Carol Speed’s standout performance as the possessed Abby. Though rare and hard to find for many years due to legal issues, Abby remains an important film in 1970s horror and blaxploitation cinema.