Matt Rife Reveals He’s the New Caretaker of Haunted Annabelle Doll — And He’s Not Joking

Comedian Matt Rife has always leaned into the unexpected, but his latest revelation left both fans and skeptics stunned: he’s now the official caretaker of the real Annabelle doll — the same allegedly haunted artifact that inspired The Conjuring film franchise. Known for its supposed ties to demonic activity, the Annabelle doll had long been locked inside the Warrens’ Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut. That is, until the museum shut down years ago and the doll’s whereabouts became a matter of public speculation and paranormal rumor. Now, according to Rife, she’s found a temporary home in his living room.

The 28-year-old comic first made the announcement via Instagram, posting a photo of himself seated beside the doll’s iconic wooden case, smiling awkwardly under a caption that read, “Meet my new roommate. She blinks sometimes. That’s cool.” Predictably, most fans assumed it was a prank. But the buzz intensified when Rife posted a follow-up video explaining that, yes, the doll is authentic and yes, she’s in his home — at least for now. He shared that the doll was entrusted to him by a private collector connected to the Warrens’ estate, under strict conditions that he not open the case, touch the doll, or taunt it in any way. “Basically,” Rife joked, “I’m allowed to look at her — but not too long. It’s like living with a gothic cat.”

The news immediately sparked a storm of reactions online. Fans flooded Rife’s comment sections with everything from shocked emojis to warnings about spiritual protection. Some tagged Catholic priests; others recommended sage, salt circles, or simply “running away.” On TikTok, a “#AnnabelleWatch” trend emerged, with users posting daily updates on Rife’s behavior, humorously monitoring him for signs of demonic possession. One viral video, viewed over 3 million times, simply featured a montage of Rife blinking rapidly, with the caption, “Was that Matt or was that her?”

While many are amused, not everyone finds the situation funny. Members of the paranormal research community, including Tony Spera — son-in-law of Ed and Lorraine Warren — issued warnings about removing Annabelle from her original environment. Spera, who heads the New England Society for Psychic Research, stated in a press release that “Annabelle is not an ordinary artifact. Her history includes verified disturbances, and she should be handled only by trained professionals under proper protection.” The collector who loaned the doll to Rife has remained anonymous, and the terms of the agreement have not been publicly disclosed, leading some to speculate that the stunt may be tied to a future media project or paranormal documentary.

Rife, for his part, insists that he’s taking the matter seriously — mostly. During an appearance on a recent podcast, he admitted that while he doesn’t believe in ghosts, he’s “not dumb enough to test this one.” He recounted that his dog refuses to enter the room where Annabelle is displayed, and that he now sleeps with one light on “just in case.” Still, he can’t help but use the opportunity for comedy. “Honestly,” he said, “living with her is still less scary than some of my exes.”

The comedian also teased a possible stand-up special inspired by his experience, tentatively titled Possessed, and suggested that Annabelle might make a cameo. “She doesn’t say much,” he quipped, “but her presence is killer.”

Whether haunted or not, Annabelle’s reappearance in the public eye has reignited fascination with paranormal legends — and demonstrated once again that Rife has a talent for staying at the center of viral culture. Known for turning everyday experiences into material, he may have just found his most unsettling muse yet.

As of now, the doll remains in its sealed case under Rife’s care, and no supernatural events have been officially reported — though Rife did note that his phone randomly reset one night and his smart home system briefly played eerie lullaby music at 3 a.m. He laughed it off, but fans weren’t so sure. One follower commented, “It starts small, bro. Get out while you can.”

In an age where celebrity headlines often blur the line between stunt and sincerity, it’s hard to know exactly how much of Rife’s Annabelle adventure is real or exaggerated. What is clear, however, is that he’s managed to capture the attention of both comedy lovers and ghost hunters alike. And as long as the doll stays behind glass and Rife keeps the jokes coming, the world will be watching — nervously, and with popcorn.