Of all the different types of horror movies, ghost stories remain one of the most terrifying.
A family moves into a lovely house which they got cheap - red flag - and starts to settle into their life. Then, weird things begin to happen, and objects start moving around by themselves. One of the children starts speaking in tongues and two voices, and it's all downhill from there.
There are some interesting theories for why ghost stories became so widespread, especially in the 19th century.
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But there's no denying that even in the cold blue light of the 21st century many things remain pretty creepy. And few things demonstrate that more than a tour around an attic containing many cursed items, including the doll which inspired Annabelle from The Conjuring.
Maybe not one to touch!
In a video, paranormal investigator Lorraine Warrens takes someone up there with a camera to show off some of the spooky artefacts.
She gives the ominous warning: "Don't ever touch anything. And if you do let me know."
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But one thing sticks out - a doll which is sealed inside a box, with red lights theatrically illuminating it from behind.
Lorraine says: "This is the worst thing in here. That job. I'm not gonna stare at it though. So you can take the picture but I'm not gonna stare at it. Because that if that has done bad harm to a lot of people."
That doesn't sound like something you'd want to be in the same room as. Nonetheless, she gave some reassurance saying that the doll would have to be conjured for it to begin having ill-effects on people.
Lorraine explains: "You have to conjure the spirits in order to get it. You know, you're not going to get it by just walking around here. That's the Annabelle doll."
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Best not to risk it, eh?
The Annabelle doll is a Raggedy Ann Doll, and was displayed in The Warren's Occult Museum run by Lorraine and her husband Ed Warrens - both of which have now sadly passed away.
According to the couple, the doll was responsible for two near-death experiences, one fatal accident, and a string of demonic activities that lasted for around 30 years. Yikes.
The cinematic version of the cursed doll was first introduced to audiences in 2013 with The Conjuring. Horror fanatics were so interested in the demonic porcelain figure that she became the subject of her own franchise with Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017) and Annabelle Comes Home (2019).
Topics: News, US News, Film and TV, Halloween