The makers of "The Conjuring," 2013's hugely successful supernatural thriller, are bringing spooky back. "The Conjuring" cinematographer, John R. Leonetti, has taken the reins this time to direct "Annabelle," which hit theaters Friday, Oct. 3.

The tormented past of Annabelle comes to life also with the help of James Wan, the director of "The Conjuring," who produced "Annabelle" with Peter Safran.

Leonetti, who has previously directed "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation," sat down with Latin Post in an exclusive interview to discuss the films historical connection to New England, "The Conjuring" spin-off and a demonic encounter he had as a teenager.

"This ('Annabelle') sets up the opening scene of 'The Conjuring,' which sets up a case that the Warrens covered, if you will, back in the day. So it's related but it's unto itself; it's a prequel," Leonetti told Latin Post.

"If you listen to what Ed Warren (played by Patrick Wilson in 'The Conjuring') said in the beginning ... 'The demon and the devil are the master of deceit.' It even deceived the clairvoyant that talked to those nurses there, and basically tricked them to believe that this innocent, little girl who died in his house just wanted to be friends, but what he said, that's not really how it happened," he explained.

"If you think about it, 'Annabelle,' our story takes place in Santa Monica (California), it's not actually in the East Coast, but how it made its way to the East Coast ... is like, hmmm... how did it get there? And I think that's kind of creepy in itself. While I can't give anything away, in the end you know that she has gone somewhere else," he said.

As mentioned, there is a fascinating backstory to Annabelle, who is actually a Raggedy Ann doll that is locked up in the Warren Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, which was founded by Ed and Lorraine Warren in 1952. Annabelle is visited only by a priest who blesses her twice a month.

How did Annabelle get there?

In the 1970s, a mother bought the doll at a second-hand store and gave it to her daughter, Donna. Donna and her roommate, Angie, started noticing that Annabelle would change positions around the house and move on her own when no one was home.

After inviting a medium to their apartment, Donna and Angie learned that the apartment was built on a field where a young girl named Annabelle was killed. The medium said the ghost of the girl was attached to the doll and that it was harmless, but that wasn't the case.

Donna and Angie began to find little pieces of paper that read "Help me" throughout the apartment. Then Donna's boyfriend was mysteriously attacked by a force when he entered the room alone where the doll was kept.

Donna contacted a priest who connected her with a paranormal investigator and demonologist, Ed, and his wife Lorraine Warren, a psychic medium. After coming in contact with the doll, they determined it was not a ghost but a demon manipulating the doll who wanted to ultimately possess Donna. After the terrifying incidents, they removed the doll from the home and brought her to the Warrens' home.

While at the Warrens, Annabelle would continue to move around and even levitate. There wasn't an exorcism, but Annabelle now remains locked in a case at the Warren Occult Museum.

While Leonetti has done extensive research for "The Conjuring" and "Annabelle," he hasn't actually visited the Warren Occult Museum. "I would dig it ... I'd be interested in actually seeing it, but I haven't, no." With Halloween soon approaching, it may be a good time for Leonetti to visit and possibly witness its supernatural power firsthand!

Does Lenoetti believe in paranormal activity?

"I am open to [paranormal activity], yes. I had my own personal experience once, way back in high school. I was raised Catholic, but I am not religious anymore, but I will say that 'The Exorcist' really affected me and then one little personal experience that I had definitely opened the door."

"I was in a motel where nobody was supposed to be upstairs, and there were people upstairs, on the ceiling -- like in our movie -- and scratching the door in the middle of the night, so that was kind of creepy," Leonetti revealed.

In "Annabelle," John Form (played by Ward Horton who starred in "The Wolf of Wall Street") gives his expectant wife, Mia (played by Annabelle Wallis who starred in "X-Men: First Class" and "The Tudors"), a rare vintage doll in a white wedding dress. But Mia's affection for Annabelle doesn't last long.

On one ill-fated night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple. While they survive the brutal attack, the cultists have conjured a wicked entity, a "sinister conduit" -- Annabelle.

So if you aren't into horror movies or supernatural thrillers, why should you check out "Annabelle?"

"I think if you just want to watch a movie or get engulfed in a story that's about a woman protecting her baby; it's really a thriller and it's very suspenseful, it's very psychological," he explained.

"If you want to see a movie that has, I think really great acting -- starting with Annabelle Wallis, Ward Horton, Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard ('Twelve Years a Slave') as well as Tony Amendola (TV's 'Stargate,' 'Blow,' 'Dexter') Kerry O'Malley (TV's 'Those Who Kill') and Brian Howe ('Devil's Knot') and Eric Ladin (TV's 'Boardwalk Empire') ... If you just want to get entertained and if you like thrillers, you would like this movie," he added.

Check out Latin Post's exclusive interview with "Annabelle" director John R. Leonetti and lead actors Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton. "Annabelle" is now in theaters.