Movie Review: The Curse of La Llorona (2019)
Synopsis:
The Curse of La Llorona, directed by Michael Chaves, is a supernatural horror film that is part of the Conjuring Universe. Set in Los Angeles in the 1970s, the narrative centres on social worker Anna Tate-Garcia, played by Linda Cardellini, who is assigned to investigate the case of Patricia Alvarez (played by Patricia Velasquez), a mother whose children have been found in a terrifying state. Upon visiting Patricia’s home, Anna learns of La Llorona, a ghostly figure from Mexican folklore known for preying on children. As Anna begins to unravel the sinister events surrounding Patricia’s family, she soon finds herself trying to protect her own children, Chris (played by Roman Christou) and Samantha (played by Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen), from the wrath of this vengeful spirit.
The film dives into the myth of La Llorona, a woman who, in a tragic twist of fate, drowned her children and now wanders the earth, weeping for them and luring other children to a similar fate. After Patricia desperately seeks help, her warnings about La Llorona go unheeded, leading to dire consequences. As spirits and shadows lurk around them, Anna and her children become embroiled in an escalating battle against the malevolent entity, aided by a priest (played by Raymond Cruz) who understands the supernatural implications of their situation. The film effectively intertwines ghostly jump scares with a poignant tale of maternal sacrifice, guilt, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her offspring.
Actors and Characters:
- Linda Cardellini as Anna Tate-Garcia
- Raymond Cruz as Father Perez
- Patricia Velasquez as Patricia Alvarez
- Roman Christou as Chris Garcia
- Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen as Samantha Garcia
- Aiden Lewandowski as young boy in the church
- Marisol Ramirez as La Llorona
- Catherine C. McCaffray as the director of the orphanage
Review:
The Curse of La Llorona stirred up considerable discussions upon its release. As the latest installment in the Conjuring Universe, it promises both frights and an exploration of rich folklore. However, it ultimately delivers a mixed bag of experiences, struggling to establish its own identity amidst the larger franchise.
The film’s strongest asset is undeniably its atmosphere. From the very start, Chaves effectively sets a foreboding tone, enhanced by haunting cinematography that captures the shadows lurking below the surface. The 1970s aesthetic adds an element of authenticity, framing the haunting narrative within a historical context that resonates well. The utilising of sound serves as another critical component, with creaking floors, unsettling whispers, and nervous silences contributing significantly to the tension.
Linda Cardellini’s performance is yet another highlight. She portrays Anna with a sincerity that makes her motives relatable and her fears palpable. As a mother, Anna embodies maternal instinct, and her desperation to protect her children feels raw and genuine. Cardellini showcases her ability to carry emotional weight, having established herself in both dramatic and comedic roles prior to this. However, while Cardellini’s portrayal is commendable, the surrounding characters lack sufficient depth. Raymond Cruz’s Father Perez, although pivotal, is underdeveloped and seems to serve merely as a narrative prop rather than a fully realised character.
The depiction of La Llorona herself could be viewed as both a strength and a weakness. Initially, the film does a commendable job invoking the legend and mythos surrounding the character, allowing audiences that are unfamiliar with the folklore to grasp the danger she represents. However, as the story unfolds, La Llorona often falls into conventional horror clichés. While the ghostly wails and shadowy figure elicit chills, the film eventually resorts to predictable scares, rendering some of her appearances more frustrating than frightening.
Furthermore, the screenplay, penned by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis, suffers from a lack of originality. The plot unfurls with familiar beats, leading viewers down a well-trodden path seen in countless horror films. Instead of innovating with the folklore, it often relies on jump scares and recycled eerie moments, which, while effective at times, detract from any attempt to convey the deeper emotional themes hinted at throughout the film.
Despite these drawbacks, the emotional core is evident in Anna’s journey—a narrative thread that is all too relatable. The exploration of guilt and grief, along with the protective instincts of a mother, provide a backdrop that evokes empathy. Moments when the film leans into these emotional themes resonate stronger than the horror elements, highlighting that, at its heart, The Curse of La Llorona attempts to be a story of familial love snatched away by supernatural malaise.
Moreover, the representation of cultural lore is noteworthy, as it brings Hispanic mythology into broader popular culture. La Llorona serves as a cautionary tale, and the film does respect the gravity of this tale by acknowledging the folklore’s roots. However, viewers might feel that the broader context and implications of this narrative are overshadowed by the horror elements, which leads to a disconnection between the moral story and the fear-driven presentation.
The pacing of the film begins solidly, building tension methodically. However, as it approaches the climax, the narrative shifts to a frenetic urgency that somewhat undermines earlier character development. Viewers are left wanting more depth from the world that Anna navigates, as character moments that could induce greater empathy and tension seem to dissipate too quickly in favour of the impending scares.
From a technical standpoint, La Llorona shines brightly at times. The visual effects and practical scares create a palpable sense of dread. The chilling imagery leaves the audience effectively unnerved, especially in sequences that utilise stark contrast between light and darkness. Yet, there exists an inherent contradiction in the visual effect—while the film strives for authenticity with its lore and context, the reliance on visual spectacle dilutes some moments of genuine fear.
In conclusion, The Curse of La Llorona stands as a captivating exploration of a time-honoured legend rendered with pleasing aesthetics and emotional depth, primarily thanks to Linda Cardellini’s earnest performance. Yet, it simultaneously grapples with predictability and a lack of substantial characterisation, often yielding to conventional horror tropes. Despite these shortcomings, the film has moments that resonate, particularly when it does venture deep into themes of grief and family. Though it may not reach the high points of its predecessor films in the Conjuring Universe, it does offer a serviceable, if flawed, experience for horror enthusiasts, especially those intrigued by folklore.
Score: 6.5/10
