THE CURSE OF THE WEEPING WOMAN/ THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA

US, 2019, 93 minutes, Colour.
Linda Cardellini, Roman Christou, Janynee- Lynne Kinchen, Raymond Cruz, Marisol Ramirez, Patricia Velazquez, Sean Patrick Thomas, Tony Amendola.
Directed by Michael Chavez.

Any film with the word ‘curse’ in the title is offering an invitation to horror and thriller fans. And so with this one, it is basically a vengeful ghost story. It is a Hispanic ghost story.

We get in the mood for the drama to follow as we watch a sinister white veiled woman trying to drown her child in the river. Another little boy is approaching, calling out to her. And then an immediate transition to 1973, a story about Anna, the widow of a policeman, her bringing up her son and daughter and coping with grief, doing casework with families in need. She is played by Linda Cardellini.

She is called out to a case involving a distraught woman, Hispanic background, authorities fearful that she has injured her children but, in fact, has locked them in a cupboard, allegedly for their protection. The mother is removed as dangerous after attacking the caseworker. The children are put into a refuge for the night, but wander the corridors – and Anna receives a phone call in the early hours to say that they are dead.

Obviously, it is the weeping woman vengeful about the loss of her own children, wanting to trap the children of other women. In fact, later in the film, there will be an explanation of the story, who the woman was, her relationship with her husband and his infidelity, the reason for killing her children. And, she is cursed to wander seeking other children.

It doesn’t take long for her to start haunting Anna’s children, especially as a widow, she has to take them out on her rounds for safety’s sake. Almost immediately, the weeping woman terrifies the son, terrifying him – but, unfortunately for consequences, he does not let people know what happened, even to the scratches on his arm. Later, at home, the daughter is pursued, also with scratches – and not telling anyone what she has seen, which arouse the suspicions of the authorities, another caseworker coming to interview the children. Fortunately, a police friend of the dead husband, is supportive.

Anna goes to consult a priest, Father Perez (Tony Amendola), an audience who is familiar with the Annabelle and Conjuring thrillers will recognise him – and there is a momentary glimpse of the doll, Annabelle. So, we are in link with those films and their sequels – and are obviously being introduced to a possible further franchise. The priest cannot do anything, obeying the regulations of the diocese, but suggest they go to see a former priest who has been performing exorcism-like rituals according to Hispanic traditions and superstitions.

This means that the rest of the film is the group confronting the weeping woman, their being chased around the house, the children hiding in the attic, the exorcist performing his rituals – and threats to the girl who reaches beyond the house for her doll, the weeping woman wanting to drown the children, the mother having to dive into rescue her daughter…

The finale provides an alternative use for a cross!

More or less as might be expected – and doing it well for the target audience.

1. The title and expectations? Mexican folklore? Ghost story? Exorcism story?

2. The link with the Annabelle films, with The Conjuring world, the image of the doll, Annabelle, the presence of Father Perez?

3. The prologue, little boys, the search, the weeping woman drowning her child, confronting the little boy? The later explanations, the young woman, her marriage, her husband’s infidelity, her killing her children, the curse, wandering, taking other people’s children? Patricia and her experience? Anna and the threats to her children?

4. The visuals of the weeping woman, her veil, if the real is a ghost, her face, appearing young at the end?

5. Anna, her role with the police, the death of her husband, the photos and grief, the little boy imitating his father? The children, late for work? The assignment for Patricia, given to Donna? Her going to the house, the confrontation with Patricia, searching for the children, Patricia’s attack? The key, finding the boys in the cupboard? Getting them shelter? The little boy waiting, his brother wandering the corridors? Their being found drowned? Patricia summoned, taking her children, in the car, Charlie and his fears, the apparition in pursuit?

6. The repercussions of Charlie denying anything, Samantha saying nothing happened, Anna and her secrecy?

7. The injuries to the children? The apparitions in the house, the marks on Samantha? The confrontation with Anna, the violence, the marks? The report to the authorities? The interviews with the children, Anna absent?

8. Detective Cooper, friendship with Anna’s husband, his visits, support?

9. Anna going to the priest, the discussion with Father Perez, his advising her to see Rafael? Rafael and the rituals at the children’s funeral? Her going to visit his shop, the request? The background of rituals? The equivalent of an exorcist?

10. His going to the house, the safeguards, the beans at the door, Samantha and her reaching for her doll and breaking the link? The presence of the weeping woman, her threats, the violence in the house? The children going to the attic? Charlie and getting the woman’s medal? The danger at the pool, Anna diving in, saving Samantha?

11. The buildup to the final confrontation, the use of the medal, the cross – and piercing the woman, her disintegration?

12. The gratitude towards Rafael, from Anna and the children? Anna looking into the pool – and further weeping woman stories?