Photo via IMDb
By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
One of the oldest monsters in cinema history is reimagined, and it isn’t pretty. “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” is not in any way affiliated with the Brendan Fraser franchise or the Tom Cruise vehicle, which already makes it better, but its confused identity ultimately condemns it. The story strays from being a mysterious, supernatural horror to being a simple, run of the mill demonic possession film to another “Evil Dead” product complete with goofy gore designed to nauseate viewers.
The story begins where all mummy stories should begin, in Egypt, where a young girl vanishes without a trace. Katie (Natalie Grace) is found eight years later, mummified and sealed in an ancient sarcophagus, and is somehow alive despite her decayed appearance. The hospital unbelievably discharges the ghoul-looking creature to her parents, Charlie (Jack Reynor) and Larissa Cannon (Laia Costa), and they happily bring her home, even though she’s in a catatonic state, malnourished, and in clear need of a plastic surgeon. That must’ve been quite the plane ride for other passengers from Egypt to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The hapless family quickly realizes there is something much more malevolent than their daughter in that ravaged looking body, and the real nightmare ensues, proving once again that nothing good ever happens in Albuquerque.
Quality horror films are supposed to terrify, not sicken. The studios should have reminded writer/director Lee Cronin of this, but considering it is Blumhouse, it is not surprising that they didn’t. From ingesting disgusting insects to flaying skin to pulling teeth to projectile vomiting, Cronin finds every excuse possible to nauseate his viewers. It’s one thing if it served a purpose or matched the tone of the rest of the film, but it doesn’t in either regard. He fashions the first half of the film as more of a slow-burn supernatural mystery. It’s almost as if he realized how silly the story was becoming, especially after the parents unbelievably take this monstrous looking creature into their home with their other children, so he decides to shift gears and simply turn it into an “Evil Dead” replica. It appears his 2023 film, “Evil Dead Rise,” which was quite entertaining, never left his consciousness.
As a result of the grotesquerie the film becomes, suspense and fear are noticeably absent, leaving audiences shaking their heads in disgust rather than shaking in adrenaline fueled terror. Making matters worse is the lack of humor in the script. “Evil Dead Rise” achieved a solid balance of thrilling scares and hilarious dialogue, but this film unfortunately has none of this, turning it into a mess of themes, genre tropes, and regurgitated ideas that never form its own identity.
The visuals and the sound make up for some of this movie’s failings. Cronin employs intense close-ups to accentuate the rotting flesh and viscous fluids, effectively producing visceral discomfort that is complemented by detailed makeup and practical prosthetics. He uses different angles and frantic cinematography along with creative split diopter shots designed to disorient by bringing the foreground and background into sharp focus simultaneously. Cronin couples this visual experience with an almost suffocating cacophony of sound that alternates between eerie silence to a thunderous pounding, again designed to unsettle viewers. If only he devoted the same kind of attention to the script and tone.
The cast does a better-than-expected job, especially with Natalie Grace making her feature film debut in such a physically demanding role. The young actress handles the demand of enduring excessive time in the makeup chair and claustrophobic scenes like a professional. Her ability to convey an authentic creepiness through a largely non-verbal performance shows a refined talent that not many actresses her age has. This is a young lady to watch for in the future.
Like pulling a loose thread on a sweater, this horror plot comes undone quickly, leaving viewers with a familiar formula. “Lee Cronin’s the Mummy” tries to entertain by grossing you out, and for those who enjoy extreme gore, then you’ll probably have a good enough time. Just don’t watch after a big meal…or simply don’t watch at all.
This movie earns:
