In 2019, a chilling tale circulated about **the curse of a vengeful nun**. Although many dismissed it as mere folklore, there were those who believed in the sinister powers that this nun possessed. According to the legend, the vengeful nun was a former member of a secluded convent, known for its strict and oppressive practices. The nun, Sister Agatha, had suffered greatly at the hands of her fellow sisters. They subjected her to physical and emotional abuse, pushing her to the brink of despair. Driven by an overwhelming desire for justice, Sister Agatha made a pact with dark forces.
Should you go? It’s decidedly not scary. 2 stars
With The Curse of La Llorona we get the eighth installment in The Conjuring Universe franchise that s eight films in just six years and with that James Wan has almost created a horror subgenre all his own. The middle of the film tracks off into some weird kind of rubber reality where Lacy Hartselle seems to be trapped in an alternate version of her life where you are not quite sure what is going on.
Driven by an overwhelming desire for justice, Sister Agatha made a pact with dark forces. In return for her soul, she was granted supernatural abilities to exact revenge on those who had wronged her. The deal, however, came at a hefty price.
The curse of a vengeful nun in 2019
Sean Patrick Thomas and Linda Cardellini “The Curse of La Llorona.” (Warner Brothers Entertainment/TNS)
By Katie Walsh | Tribune News Service April 19, 2019 at 1:14 p.m.What we call the Conjuring Universe has become a sprawling franchise of big-budget horror-lite spookfests that pull from every urban legend, folk tale and ghost story one can think of, usually involving vengeful feminine spirits and the women with whom they do battle.
We’ve got hauntings, possessions (“The Conjuring” and “The Conjuring 2”), creepy dolls (“Annabelle” and “Annabelle: Creation”), demonic nuns (“The Nun,” obviously) and now, the ancient ghost of a murderous mother in “The Curse of La Llorona,” directed by Michael Chaves, making his feature debut.
Six movies in, there are a few hallmarks of the freaky franchise kicked off by director James Wan. The films are often set in the 1970s and feature dizzyingly long tracking shots that give the camera (and, therefore, the audience) their own set of eyes to reveal or conceal the things that go bump in the night. The look, feel and dynamic movement of the films gives the loosely connected series an aesthetic DNA. Here it’s literally genetic — “The Curse of La Llorona” cinematographer Michael Burgess is the son of “The Conjuring 2” cinematographer Don Burgess, and he shot second unit footage on that film and “The Nun.”
The victims of our latest Frightening Female Phantom (all these ghosts have the same look, don’t they?) are Anna (Linda Cardellini), a widowed social worker trying to get by with her two kids, Chris (Roman Christou) and Sam (Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen) in 1973 Los Angeles. When Anna makes a welfare check on one of her troubled clients, Patricia (Patricia Velasquez), she unknowingly invites the menacing spirit of La Llorona into her life. The weeping woman, clad in billowing white garb, has roamed the earth since 1673, when she drowned her two sons in a jealous rage caused by her husband’s infidelity, then drowned herself. Now her demonic spirit stalks new children to replace hers. It serves as a spooky story and warning tale in Latinx households — behave, or La Llorona will get you.
“The Curse of La Llorona” is a combination ghost story and haunted house horror flick sprinkled with folksy mythology and shamanic rituals. It relies heavily on jump scares, rather than anything existentially terrifying, and there are some leaps in magical logic that don’t quite make sense. The script, which must have consisted of dozens of pages reading “La Llorona screams in someone’s face,” or “someone is dragged down a hallway” is lightweight at best.
Surprisingly, the only other writing credit for team Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis is the heartstring-tugging cystic fibrosis teen romance “Five Feet Apart.” Bittersweet teen romance is their thing, horror not so much.
The “Conjuring” spinoffs are like Xerox copies — each new iteration comes out to diminished returns. The structure, ideas and style are there, but there isn’t the same heft of themes or slick craft Wan expressed in his two “Conjuring” films.
“The Curse of La Llorona” is middling B-movie schlock that goes for the low-hanging fruit: sequences you know will end with some kind of jump, bump or scream, and jokes that cut the tension and indicate everyone here knows what’s up. We do. Wail as she might, the silly, not scary “The Curse of La Llorona” never reaches the operatic heights that the best of the franchise can offer.
“THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA”
Directed by: Michael Chaves
Starring: Linda Cardellini, Raymond Cruz, Roman Christou, Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen
Rated: R for violence and terror.
Should you go? It’s decidedly not scary. 2 stars
Rae Hunt as Sister Margaret Catherine
**The curse of the vengeful nun** was said to have plagued the convent and all its inhabitants for decades. Those who crossed the path of Sister Agatha reportedly experienced unexplainable misfortunes, including accidents, illness, and even death. Some claim to have witnessed apparitions of a hooded figure lurking in the shadows, a chilling reminder of the nun's malevolence. In 2019, whispers of the curse spread beyond the confines of the convent, capturing the attention of paranormal enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike. Many became obsessed with the idea of proving the existence of Sister Agatha's curse, with some even attempting to invoke her spirit through seances and rituals. However, as the year progressed, skepticism began to overshadow belief. No concrete evidence of the curse's existence was ever presented, leading many to dismiss it as nothing more than an elaborate hoax. Regardless of the truth, the legend of **the curse of a vengeful nun** continues to captivate the imaginations of those fascinated by the dark and the supernatural. Whether the curse is real or not, the tale serves as a cautionary reminder of the destructive power of revenge and the consequences that can unfold when one delves into the realm of the supernatural..
Reviews for "The Haunting of St. Mary's: A Vengeful Nun's Revenge in 2019"
- John D. - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "The curse of a vengeful nun in 2019". The storyline lacked originality and felt quite predictable. The acting was also subpar, with most of the characters delivering their lines in a forced and unnatural manner. Additionally, the scare factor was almost non-existent, as the jump scares were cliché and failed to create any real tension. Overall, I didn't find this movie to be engaging or scary, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a good horror film.
- Sarah M. - 1/5
"The curse of a vengeful nun in 2019" was one of the worst horror movies I've ever seen. The plot was confusing and incoherent, leaving me scratching my head throughout the entire film. The characters were poorly developed, and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. The suspense was lacking, and even the supposed scary moments were laughable. I was honestly bored and disappointed by this film, and I regret spending my time and money on it.
- Robert L. - 2/5
I had high hopes for "The curse of a vengeful nun in 2019", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The storyline had potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was off, with slow and uneventful moments dragging on for too long. The scares were predictable, and I found myself anticipating every jump scare. The performances by the cast were mediocre at best, failing to bring any real depth to their characters. Overall, this movie didn't live up to its potential and left me feeling underwhelmed.