The Curse of La Llorona is a 2019 American supernatural horror film directed by Michael Chaves and produced by James Wan. The film is based on the Mexican folklore of La Llorona, which tells the story of a woman who drowns her children in a fit of rage and then spends eternity searching for them in the afterlife. The story revolves around a social worker named Anna Tate-Garcia, who becomes embroiled in the curse of La Llorona after she unknowingly brings the curse into her own home. La Llorona targets Anna's two children in her relentless pursuit to replace her lost children. Anna must now seek the help of a former priest turned shaman to save her children and break the curse. The Curse of La Llorona is a part of The Conjuring Universe, a shared cinematic universe that includes the popular horror films The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Nun.
There is a similar sparseness to worldbuilding here that Wells also exhibited in her Murderbot Diaries series. While minimal descriptions work in that series of novellas because it is set in a pretty generic futuristic sci-fi setting, here the world is so new and different that I think the book needed to fill things in which just a tad more depth and detail.
Therefore, while I was still often abstracted from what exactly was going on at any given time, I also did start get a better grasp on the world, plot, and characters as the book progressed. Even though the book is dense with detailed and beautiful world-building, I would have sold my soul for a prologue that politely spelled out the entire history of the world in a linear fashion.
The Curse of La Llorona is a part of The Conjuring Universe, a shared cinematic universe that includes the popular horror films The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Nun. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film was a commercial success, grossing over $120 million worldwide against a budget of $9 million. The film features atmospheric cinematography and effective jump scares, creating a tense and haunting atmosphere.
Book Review: Witch King by Martha Wells
“I didn’t know you were a… demon.”
“You idiot. I’m the demon.”
Kai’s having a long day in Martha Wells’ Witch King….
After being murdered, his consciousness dormant and unaware of the passing of time while confined in an elaborate water trap, Kai wakes to find a lesser mage attempting to harness Kai’s magic to his own advantage. That was never going to go well.
But why was Kai imprisoned in the first place? What has changed in the world since his assassination? And why does the Rising World Coalition appear to be growing in influence?
Kai will need to pull his allies close and draw on all his pain magic if he is to answer even the least of these questions.
He’s not going to like the answers.
The performances by the cast, including Linda Cardellini as Anna and Raymond Cruz as the shaman, are commendable. The film also explores themes of guilt, motherhood, and redemption, adding depth to the story. Overall, The Curse of La Llorona provides an entertaining and chilling horror experience for fans of the genre. It effectively incorporates elements of Mexican folklore into a modern setting, making it a unique addition to The Conjuring Universe. Whether you believe in the curse of La Llorona or not, this film is sure to leave you with a sense of unease and dread..
Reviews for "A Haunting Experience: Watching "The Curse of La Llorona"
1. Jennifer - 2/5 stars
I was really disappointed with "Watch the Curse of La Llorona". The movie lacked any depth to its characters and the story felt very predictable. The scares were also very cliché and relied heavily on jump scares, which I found to be cheap tactics. The acting was alright, but the script didn't give the actors much to work with. Overall, it lacked originality and failed to deliver any real scares or a compelling storyline.
2. Mark - 2.5/5 stars
I had high hopes for "Watch the Curse of La Llorona" as I am a fan of horror movies, but it fell flat for me. The movie didn't seem to know what it wanted to be - a psychological horror or a supernatural thriller. The pacing was off, with slow moments in between the scares that left me bored. The CGI effects were also poorly done, taking away any sense of realism. While there were a few creepy moments, they were overshadowed by the lack of substance in the story. Overall, it had potential but failed to deliver a truly scary experience.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars
I couldn't stand "Watch the Curse of La Llorona". The plot was weak and filled with clichés, making it predictable and boring. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth, which made it hard to care about their fate. The scares were cheap and relied too heavily on loud noises and jump scares, rather than building genuine tension. I found myself rolling my eyes more than feeling scared. It felt like a wasted opportunity to explore a fascinating folklore legend. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this movie.