In the plot, we follow a group that finds itself involved with a recently discovered ancient tomb, awakening forces that have been dormant for centuries.
Horror takes on new contours in “Curse of the Mummy”, a new film directed by Lee Cronin, which promises to rescue one of the most fascinating and disturbing myths in history: the ancient curses of Egypt. Known for his intense work in the genre, the filmmaker now delves into a narrative that mixes mystery, emotion and supernatural horror, betting not just on scares, but on a deep connection with the audience.
In the plot, we follow a group that finds itself involved with a recently discovered ancient tomb, awakening forces that had been dormant for centuries. As unexplainable events begin to happen, ancient secrets come to light, putting everyone at risk and revealing that some stories should never be disturbed. The production relies on a dense and claustrophobic atmosphere, where the past seems to breathe within the walls and every decision can be fatal.
For Cronin, the fascination with this type of story goes far beyond cinema. “I think that we, as people, continue to have a fascination with these subjects outside of films, because they are a big part of history and culture”, explains the director, highlighting that the universe of mummies carries a symbolic weight that spans generations. He reinforces that mystery is one of the main drivers of public interest: “there is a mystery, there are secrets. And I think people are always intrigued to have answers.”
After the success of his previous works in horror, Cronin reveals that there is no magic formula for creating a scary film, but rather an essential starting point: real characters. “I’m not sure if there’s a secret, but for me the most important thing is to make sure there are characters you can identify with,” he says. According to him, horror only really works when the public believes in the people who are living that experience: “you can see the truth and humanity in them”.
This approach is what allows “The Mummy’s Curse” to go beyond traditional horror. The director bets on a solid emotional construction to then intensify the supernatural. “The more real you make people… it allows you to go crazier on the horror side,” he explains. And interestingly, he reveals an unexpected ingredient in the recipe: “the little secret magic ingredient is a little humor too, even in dark times, we still laugh.”
But not everything was easy during production. Cronin admits that the film required a great deal of logistical and creative effort, especially when dealing with practical effects and a diverse cast. “There are always a series of daily challenges when you make a film… no matter how much you prepare,” he says. Among the main obstacles, he highlights the use of prosthetics and the dynamics of recording: “it’s very difficult, especially when it involves children, you can’t ask them to spend hours in makeup and then work all day”.
Still, the result promises to be a visual and sensorial spectacle, the result of intense collective work. “I had an incredible team and we were able to bring everything together and create the show that we created”, concludes the director.
With a combination of psychological tension, ancient mythology and characters that carry real emotion, “Curse of the Mummy” arrives as one of the most intriguing bets in modern horror, ready to prove that some curses never lose their strength, they just wait for the right moment to awaken. The film opens in theaters on the 16th.
‘It’s not a monster, it’s our daughter’
Protagonist of the film, Jack Reynor reveals that his connection with the supernatural universe comes, first and foremost, from his passion for the genre. “It probably doesn’t extend much beyond my love of horror films, but I’m a huge fan,” he says. The actor also highlights the weight of being part of a tradition that spans decades. “From Boris Karloff’s films in the 1930s, to Hammer Films’ Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, to the film with Brendan Fraser. It’s a pleasure to be part of that legacy.”
About character construction, Reynor reveals that the process was intense and emotional, even with little preparation time. “Lee and I had great conversations about who this character could be,” he says. For him, the heart of the story is the family drama. “It was a film about a family where there’s been a horrible trauma, they’ve lost their daughter. And they’re dealing with the guilt of not being able to protect her.”
This pain is what completely transforms the horror dynamic in the film. “When she finally comes back with this anger and revenge, there is a resolution that they need, but it is something impossible to fix,” explains the actor, highlighting the emotional conflict that drives the narrative. And it is precisely this dilemma that differentiates the film from other productions of the genre.
Reynor also comments on the balance between emotion and horrorone of the film’s greatest challenges. “If a horror film is good, these deep elements work naturally, they are not out of place”, he says. According to him, the public will feel that that family is real. “The family in this film feels very alive, that’s a testament to the actors and the world that was created.”
Despite the emotional charge, the The film never fails to deliver what fans expect, tension, scares and an intense cinema experience. “At the end of the day, it’s a very broad film, it’s fun, obviously horrible, very scary, but it was made to be seen in the cinema, with the public,” he says.
But the big difference is in the way the story views its “creature”. “In other versions, the mummy is a monster that we need to destroy or escape,” explains Reynor. “Here, she’s just a girl… our daughter. We need to try to save her.” This inversion completely transforms the experience. “We’re moving toward it, not running away. We’re stuck with it.”
Behind the scenes, this intensity was also felt by the cast, especially by Laia Costawhich revealed an almost non-existent relationship with the supernatural universe. “Nothing. Like, literally, nothing. I don’t watch horror films. I don’t want to think about supernatural things because I don’t sleep”, confessed the actress, showing that facing this type of narrative was a real personal challenge. Still, she highlighted the impact of the experience. “It was so interesting to be part of the process of this film, I didn’t know how much work went into something like this.”
Verônica Falcón brought a more open view on the topic, influenced by their cultural origins. “I come from Mexico, we have a lot of supernatural stories. I believe and I don’t believe, so I let it be that way. You never know,” he said, highlighting the fascination with the unknown. For her, the project was also a great learning experience as an actress. “It was one of the best learning experiences, there is a lot of thought that goes into every thing you see on the screen.”
