You’ve gotta hand it to Warner Bros. They’re going all in, whenever they can when it comes to horror. Well, as long as it’s James Wan backed horror. After the success he’s had at the studio in recent years*, that’s understandable. He’s using that clout, as well as the stacks of cash in his pockets, to help bring a new vision of terror to the screen (at least producing wise) with The Curse of La Llorona. The trailer for which dropped today. Watch this with the lights off.
Ok, that car sequence is fantastic. The fact that it takes up most of the trailer’s run time, is even better. Now the hope would be that not only will that scene be longer in the finished film, but hopefully it’s not the best part of the film. There is a sense of “jump-scare mania” pervading over things too. Yet, should they be done with enough care, it can be a thing of beauty. If not, well, The Nun still ended up a success.
Since most may not be up to date on La LLorona, here’s a lengthy official synopsis, which also give some background:
“La Llorona. The Weeping Woman. A horrifying apparition, caught between Heaven and Hell, trapped in a terrible fate sealed by her own hand. The mere mention of her name has struck terror around the world for generations. In life, she drowned her children in a jealous rage, throwing herself in the churning river after them as she wept in pain. Now her tears are eternal. They are lethal, and those who hear her death call in the night are doomed. La Llorona creeps in the shadows and preys on the children, desperate to replace her own. As the centuries have passed, her desire has grown more voracious…and her methods more terrifying.
In 1970s Los Angeles, La Llorona is stalking the night—and the children. Ignoring the eerie warning of a troubled mother (Patricia Velasquez) suspected of child endangerment, a social worker (Linda Cardellini) and her own small kids are soon drawn into a frightening supernatural realm. Their only hope to survive La Llorona’s deadly wrath may be a disillusioned priest (Raymond Cruz) and the mysticism he practices to keep evil at bay, on the fringes where fear and faith collide.”
The figure is known throughout Mexican folklore, giving The Curse of La Llorona a rather intriguing slant. It’ll also serve as a test run for audiences, on how they feel concerning the work of first time director Michael Chaves. That’s because Wan has already tapped Chaves to take the reins on The Conjuring 3.
Are you all excited for more major studio original horror? Does that car scene make you anxious as hell? What other folklore tales would you like to see transplanted to the big screen? Let us know in the comments below. In the meantime, take a peek at the poster for this film and try not to loose your nerve. The Curse of La Llorona hits theaters April 19th, 2019.
*= As of this writing, The Nun has made $359 mil worldwide.
