Movie review of THE CURSE OF THE WEEPING WOMAN (THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA original title) is here. Releasing in India and USA on April 19, 2019, the movie is the debut of Michael Chaves as a feature director. The movie stars Linda Cardellini, Raymond Cruz and Patricia Velásquez. Does the movie satisfy the genre enthusiast and instigates hopes in the hearts of people who swear by Conjuring-Annabelle universe when it comes to spook and fear? Let’s find out in the review of THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA aka THE CURSE OF THE WEEPING WOMAN.
Immediate reaction when the end credits of THE CURSE OF THE WEEPING WOMAN roll
THE CURSE OF THE WEEPING WOMAN – The sixth instalment in The Conjuring Universe gets a traditionally spooky addition though indirectly which indicates that the future editions by Michael Chaves (THE CONJURING 3) can have more universal potential.
The Story of THE CURSE OF THE WEEPING WOMAN
Set in 70’s, THE CURSE OF THE WEEPING WOMAN is based on the Mexican folklore of La Llorona – a female spirit searches for children and takes them as her own. The movie begins with the original 17th century Mexican folklore where a beautiful woman shockingly drowns one of her child while the other cries for mercy. Cut to the early 70’s Los Angeles, A cop-widow Anna (Linda Cardellini), working for a Child Protective Services, gets the assignment to rescue two young boys – Sam and Chris from their mother, Patricia Alvarez (Patricia Velasquez). Anna puts the boys in a care centre for the night but things take a spooky turn when Sam and Chris are found drowned in a river and Patricia holds Anna responsible for the death of her children.
Major Plus
Michael Chaves the writer, visual effects artist, editor, and executive producer best known for CHASE CHAMPION and is helming THE CONJURING 3, uses the traditional old school routine to provide the scares, the eerie feeling is not from the blood, gore or the cheap jump scare tactics, it’s from the environment and the fear of losing your most prized possession – your children. Michael Chaves’ love for the traditional old school formulae is smartly controlled. You will have those creaking doors, rattling windows, an undercurrent of the world getting doomed with occasional spurt of a perpetual storm. The writers Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis along with the director Michael Chavez know their target audience and are least bothered about adding nuances and intelligence over here. Those who love the traditional horror template will not be disappointed. Plus there is something to giggle as well. The ‘Ta Da’ effect given to Raymond Cruz is a smart move to add black humour and please the ones that make fun of such scares as well.
Performances
Linda Cardellini as the mother torn between faith, belief and fear is fantastic. The children – Samantha (Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen) and Chris (Roman Christou) perform naturally and successfully establish fear in the minds of the audience. Patricia is good. Raymond Cruz as the curandero is fabulous. The inclusion of Tony Amendola as Father Perez from ANNABELLE is quite interesting. (The purpose of the makers seems to have been solved).
Flaws
The explanations behind the tactics used by the curendo played by Raymond Cruz in controlling the evil wrath of the weeping woman is right at your face, so so obvious. The blotchy-skinned brides walking from THE CONJURING is creepy but why the makeup needs to be spoiled, she can cry without spoiling the makeup. This weeping woman plays it safe very safe.
Final words
THE CURSE OF THE WEEPING WOMAN is a genuinely creepy old school addition to James Wan’s Conjuring universe, Michael Chavez ensures that fear comes from more from tension then jump scares and gore.
