“The Curse Of La Llorona” is directed by Michael Chavez, in his directorial debut & stars Linda Cardenilli, Raymond Cruz & Patricia Velasquez. The film is based on the Mexican folklore known as “La Llorona” which translates to Weeping Woman and tells the story of a woman who punishes misbehaving children. The film is produced by James Wan and his crew that have produced his own as well as other horror movies.

In 1973 Los Angeles, a civil caseworker, Anita Tate-Garcia (Cardenilli) is investigating the disappearance of 2 boys belonging to one of her clients, Patricia Alvarez (Velasquez). Upon arrival, she notices that the house is marked with tons religious items and looks as if she is protecting herself and her children from something or someone. Worried for the boys’ safety, Anita goes to Patricia’s house only to find them locked in room. While Patricia explains its for their protection, Anita doesn’t buy it and has the boys taken away. The boys are taken to a shelter while their mother is taken into custody but not long after things take a turn for the worse when Anita is informed that the boys have been found dead in a river near their mother’s house. When Anita questions Patricia, she tells her about a 300 year old folk tale about a weeping woman called “La Llorona” was coming for the boys and it succeeded. Dismissing Patricia story, Anita begins to notice strange things at home and her son and daughter are also having encounters of their own. Now, it looks as if this folk tale isn’t just cautionary tale but rather a warning for an imminent spirit coming for Anita and her children just like it did to Patricia.

I grew up listening to this original folklore and was well aware of its storyline & creepiness. This is a cautionary tale for disobedience among children and great way to scare some people. However, Hollywood didn’t have no kind of interest or even bother to actually research this cause the film misses the mark completely. The original story and this movie have no connection whatsoever. The movie fails at any or every attempt at character development, building suspense and telling a coherent story. The performances are mediocre at best but are overlooked by the film’s reliance on jump scares and other horror movie cliches. The original story takes place in the South Texas / Mexico region not L.A., revolves around Mexican folklore and most of all has nothing to do with the Cases of Ed & Lorraine Warren. This film is marketed as a chapter in the “Conjuring” universe which not only disrespects the original folklore but also the Warrens’ work as well. They never investigated this story and probably never even heard of it. The film’s only connection to the universe is the Father Perez character who is also in the film, “Annabelle”.

Overall, this was a massive disappointment. Not real merit or resemblance to its original folklore. Lacks the greatness of The Conjuring films or even “Annabelle: Creation” and has no right to be associated with that universe. This can be a great horror thriller but only if done by filmmakers who actually know the real story and not just the basic premise.