This prequel to/spin-off from The Conjuring is advertised as though it's a killer-doll movie – and its director, John R. Leonetti, was the cinematographer on Child's Play 3. In fact, it's more like a mixture of elements  from the vastly superior Rosemary's Baby and The Exorcist. But Leonetti is no Roman Polanski or William Friedkin and despite sincere performances and one or two decent jolts, the film is agonisingly slow and for the most part deadly dull.

It's set in about 1970. California couple John (Ward Horton) and Mia (Annabelle Wallis) are expecting a baby. He gives her a  doll to add to her vast collection. Then their home is invaded by members of a Satanic cult and things start to get worse from there, even after they move and their baby seems healthy.

The doll – photographed to maximise its creepiness – is something of a red herring, in fact, as the couple eventually find out. A priest (Tony Amendola) and a bookshop owner (Alfre Woodard) who befriends Mia try to help, but can the forces of Good triumph over Evil?

If you really, really liked The Conjuring, you might want to find out. If you just want a good horror movie, watch the above movies instead. Or try The Babadook, the underappreciated recent Aussie film.

There's also a five-minute featurette, if you care.