“The Curse of La Llorona” is filled with shocking scares but lacks a solid identity, diluting Mexican folklore with horror tropes.

This horror film, directed by Michael Chaves, follows Child Protective Services worker Anna Tate-Garcia, played by Linda Cardellini, and her two children as she investigates the disappearance of two boys and uncovers information about the mythical ghost of La Llorona.

Director Michael Chaves fills “La Llorona” with quiet moments of suspense and shocking jump-scares.

The cast, including the child actors, offer fantastic performances. However, the script and dialogue making the film exceedingly predictable and cheesy.

Horror tropes make “La Llorona” excruciatingly predictable. When characters act stupid only for the sake of the plot, the children see La Llorona but do not tell their mother until much later, this rejection of realism completely breaks immersion.

The film borrows plot points from horror films like “The Exorcist” and “The Conjuring” and does not take enough risks to make the film unique. It features a religious or spiritual cleansing of the demon from their home, which is familiar and predictable for any horror fan.

If “La Llorona” embraced its Mexican folklore by setting the story in Mexico rather than Los Angeles, the writers would not have to borrow so heavily from “The Conjuring” just to make their film entertaining.

Despite following a formulaic storyline, “The Curse of La Llorona” is an enjoyable thrill ride that provides great scares for audiences.

3.5/5