The Curse of La Llorona (2019) Poster

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5/10
Seen it all before
Run-of-the-mill cliche horror with jump scares you see coming a mile off. The characters make baffling decisions and the ending is poor. You may have some fun if you go in with extremely low expectations.
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4/10
This has to stop
kuarinofu20 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Seriously, these half-baked "horrors" based only on "produced by James Wan" credit should stop. I know everybody has to be like Marvel now, but I don't think we need a horror universe which this movie is trying to build. Come on, Annabelle, Annabelle Creation, Annabelle Comes Home, The Nun. In this movie, they even make sure to mention that this is the Conjuring "cinematic universe." Jesus Christ, even Universal tried and failed miserably with their Dark Universe.

I understand these type of movies are reliable in terms of profit since they are low budget and make a decent amount of money in return. But it really doesn't work this way. The first Insidious and the Conjuring were way too good, and as these movies go, the newer ones never came even remotely close.

And here we are in 2019, with Insidious movies turned into complete schlock (Insidious: The Last Key) while Annabelle ones were never good in the first place (besides Annabelle Creation, which was ok). The Nun is a slasher movie, Annabelle Comes Home is a horror about Warrens without Warrens, damn.

And now comes this one. The Curse of La Llorona provokes two emotional states. It's a pain to watch mostly due to its stupidity while the acting is so bizarre it makes you laugh (Raymond Cruz was so odd in this). The writing is terrible, the premise itself is ok, but the characters are non-present. Some of them don't even have anything to do in this movie, and yet they still waste time establishing them (the child services lady, the father, the father's cop friend). Nobody has a real character arc. Cardellini's character was so ignorant toward her kids (and their injuries) WHILE WORKING IN CHILD SERVICES, how does this even make any sense? And she never even tried, like when they put the kids in the closet to protect them, THEY WERE NOT EVEN IN THE SAME ROOM.

They could've gone the psychological horror way, as they did in The Babadook, and the premise would've made this possible. Instead, they just show you La Llorona in the first 20 minutes, ultimately killing all your interest in this movie.

The Curse of La Llorona was not only a lousy horror but a bad movie altogether.
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6/10
Could have been good
embracing_silence23 April 2019
The legend of La Llorona is a very interesting story that had potential to become a good movie. Unfortunately, this one suffered from showing the monster too much.

The plot wasn't bad. It would have been more interesting if they showed more of how the legend started, but they had a good idea to go with. What really didn't work for this movie was showing La Llorona too many times, to the point that she wasn't scary. What's always creepy in movies like this is not being able to see their face until the very end, which they had a perfect scene to show her, but by then it was too late.

If you like the Conjuring universe/horror movies, it's a fun watch, just don't expect anything special.
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3/10
The Curse of La Llorona cries itself to sleep with ineffective jump scares and a repetitive plot.
TheMovieDiorama6 May 2019
"The Bad Spell of My Sharona". "What's the Capital of Arizona?". "I'd Rather Be in Barcelona!". The metaphysical entity that has now manifested into "The Conjuring Universe" has certainly had its highs, mostly with James Wan involved, and lows. "The Benefits of Swedish Krona" may just be the lowest point that this franchise has dipped to. It's rare, especially for me, for a horror film to be completely ineffective yet director Chaves (his debut!) releases a relentless amount of jump scares that were both predictable and tamer than a domestic cat. A case worker uncovers a dark secret involving a weeping ghost known as La Llorona who haunts families and takes children. It comes as no surprise that she starts experiencing her curse.

"The Woman from Oklahoma" is frustratingly poor, mostly stemming down from the atrocious writing. The expositional script is nearly absent of any character depth for both the titular ghoul and Velma (forgive me, but Cardellini will always be my Velma). The loose connection with "The Conjuring Universe" is that the father, who explains the entire motives of La La Loner, is the same character from the original 'Annabelle'. That's it. The amount of exposition, for a plot that really doesn't need any whatsoever, is atrocious. And yet, somehow, we practically have no idea why La Macarena is stealing children and how she came about doing this!? All these pathetic explanations and no frickin' depth.

Cardellini was sensationally good. Seriously she saves the film from being the worst of the year (thus far...). Displaying a range of emotions for her children and a ridiculously commanding presence. Sweet lord, I love her. But Velma clearly needed the rest of Mystery Inc. to satisfyingly unmask La Diploma. When Chaves decides to unveil the ghost in the opening sequence in her full form, it leaves little to the imagination. This therefore results in every jump scare (and there are many...) and suspense-driven camera movements to be ineffective.

There is some ingenuity used in various scenes, the umbrella scare was minimally chilling and the long take following Velma throughout her house was well executed. But it's not enough to differentiate itself against every other generic horror film one could easily find on Netflix. The quality and effectiveness that mostly exists in this cinematic universe is not present at all! Predictable right from the bloody start. Velma's children make so many stupid choices that she should've just given them to La Lymphoma. Do not get me started on that doll sequence as the girl reaches out for it on their porch. There's plenty of choking. Eggs explode blood!? Lord, take me now!

Cardellini deserved better. Way better. It started off with an interesting approach on child abuse, but no. Should've known it would throw that out of the window. What should've been a decent mainstream horror turns out to be a supernatural disaster. "I'll See You in Roma" wept its last tear.
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6/10
Just couldn't seem to "conjure" up some real terror
shanemoose-8871520 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Much like 'The Nun' from last year, there were things I liked and things that I didn't like. Unlike some of the other films that share the same universe, like the main films and the 'Annabelle' spinoffs. If they had focused more on building tension and less on building the world of the 'Conjuring' universe, 'The Curse of La Llorona' could've worked as its own entity (no pun intended). However, what we end up with is a cascade of jump-scares held together only by the acting and the occasional sense of dread. Yet, still manages to be the more entertaining entry into this prolonged franchise.
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3/10
Flat, boring and filled with clichés
Jimztah2 May 2019
Honestly I'm surprised with all the good scores in the user reviews. I'm surprised as this was easily one of the worse movies I've ever seen. The acting was subpar, the plot was so incredibly flat and easy to guess beforehand, the dialogue was futile and almost like something a writer threw together in a day or two.

If it wasn't for the decent effects, the mostly atmospherical suspense and the children's surprisingly decent acting I'd give this an even lower score. It's that bad. Don't waste your money on this like I did.
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6/10
It could be better
pabloapc-3664920 April 2019
It has a boring atmosphere and it doesn't scare you. The nun was better. At least it's 3 good jumpscares
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5/10
Unoriginal Collection of Clichés
claudio_carvalho27 August 2019
"The Curse of La Llorona" is a horror film with beautiful cinematography and atmosphere. The cast is not bad and the effects are also good. Unfortunately, the story is absolutely unoriginal, indeed a great collection of clichés. The film gives the sensation of Deja vu and the viewer feels that he or she has already seen it all before, frustrating those with expectation of watching a creepy horror movie. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "A Maldição da Chorona" ("The Curse of the Weeping Woman")
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6/10
The weeping woman is alot scarier than this.
grimreaperrr22 May 2019
I actually ended up falling asleep it's shame how unscary this movie portrays the weeping woman. What a waste of my time but at least I caught up on sleep.
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4/10
Very Generic
Neon_Gold17 June 2020
This movies soul purpose is to get teenagers into the cinema in the summer. It is a cash grab.

It's super basic. It is like a Mad Lib horror movie. Like "lady goes to church to see priest to learn about ______" "sound should drop out and then _____ should appear behind main character". It's really paint by numbers. Like you could fill them sentences in with so many different horror movie 'monsters/ghosts'.

I really like Linda Cardellini, she was fine in this nothing great.

I don't know if you were board with friends you could put this on but I'd just watch something better.
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8/10
3rd best installment in Conjuring Universe
mnieves0319 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I really enjoyed this movie. I think the way to go is Dolby Digital because the immersive sound really adds to the scares and sounds of La Llarona and keeps your attention. What I love most about this movie, is that La Llarona is very visible throughout the movie. You actually see the spirit for good amounts of time and not just intended for a cheap jump scares. I also love that the mother quickly sees the spirit and right away believes in this and doesn't think her kids are just crazy and seeing things. The cinematography was beautiful as well. Now, they're are things I didn't like. Things that were just illogical and predictable. I know that little girl was way smarter than to open the door to reach for her doll while a spirit she knows wants to get her. I also didn't like how at first, when the mother saw the burns on the girls wrist, it was quickly dismissed and to really be believed as just a bad fall. Last but not least, why didn't the kids just say what they saw at first. How could anyone keep that a secret. Overall, good horror movie that exceeded my expectations, especially considering the horrible Nun movie. I'm gonna say this is 3rd best behind conjuring 1 and 2.
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7/10
Worth a watch, but nothing groundbreaking.
jasongkgreen20 April 2019
Nothing new here, formulaic, but some good performances, tension, and jump scares. Some nice camera shots. Worthy of a watch, especially as a horror film fan. I enjoyed it. 7/10
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4/10
The weeping woman
TheLittleSongbird3 September 2019
The story sounded really fascinating and do have an appreciation for horror. The cover looked creepy and the film did look pretty good. 'The Curse of La Llorona' has also been compared to 'The Conjuring' films/universe (with it having the same producers), and being somebody who really liked 'The Conjuring' and its sequel that immediately was enough to get me stoked in seeing it. So was expecting quite a bit in a way, and really did want to like it regardless of its polarising reception.

Sadly, am going to have to agree with those that didn't care for 'The Curse of La Llorona', emphasis on didn't care for, that doesn't mean outright hate. It is not as bad as has been said by others or a disgrace to film-making, it has its moments/good things. However, it should have been much better and really goes downhill after a promising start. Of 'The Conjuring' universe films, for me only 'The Nun' is worse but only consider this marginally better rather than infinitely so.

As said, there are good things. The photography is pleasing to look at and has an atmospheric look that one wishes was reflected in the rest of the film, 'The Curse of La Llorona' is not a cheap-looking film and the location is both beautiful and eerie. Also felt that Linda Cardellini and the children acquitted themselves very well here, Cardellini especially is very committed in a role that is far removed from Velma Dinkley and doesn't overact or underplay it (instead she is just right).

It started off very promisingly, with it being genuinely creepy and suspenseful with a set up that draws one in and intrigues. A few creepy scares early on, and sadly there is quite a big emphasis on moments.

Because 'The Curse of La Llorona' falls downhill quite badly too early and not only never recovers it also gets progressively worse. There are often complaints regarding horror films of not being enough jump scares or scares in general, there is also such thing as too much of them. The latter is the case here and too many of them are ruined by too obvious build ups to them thanks to very predictably placed, overused and too loud sound effects. There is very little new here either in the scares, there is a seen it all before and much better feel throughout. The dull pacing, especially in the middle, and the overuse of La Llorona herself (looking quite freaky but the characterisation had too much trying-too-hard) kill the suspense and any kind of atmosphere for that matter.

Morever, 'The Curse of La Llorona' can get very silly in the latter stages, with some truly baffling character behaviours that are facepalm-inducing and an ending that is not just ridiculous and rushed but can be seen from a long way off. The general predictability of most of the film is a big problem here. The rest of the acting is lacking, with Raymond Cruz giving a performance devoid of charisma or energy which gives the impression that he is not lead actor material. The pacing when it all goes downhill is all over the place and goes dead in the too many uneventful stretches in the middle. The dialogue is banal and can sound very awkward, while there is an inexperienced quality to the direction, not the visuals but in generating suspense and atmosphere and making the drama interesting.

Altogether, promising start but descends into well filmed mediocrity. 4/10
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1/10
Absolute garbage
spetrech-762061 May 2019
I haven't seen a horror movie this bad in a long time. Every single jumpscare is predictable. The ending is predictable, just like EVERY other horror movie. No plot twists. The whole movie is rushed because they wanted to focus on the final battle against evil. Don't waste your time watching this trash.
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6/10
Choppy and doesn't make a lot of sense, but passable
jtindahouse22 April 2019
If I were a schoolteacher grading 'The Curse of La Llorona' I would pass it, but absolutely minimally (I believe in America they call that a C-). It did just enough to keep me from hating it and nothing more. The film started off with a semi-decent opening scene. It wasn't overly long but it did enough to set the tone for the movie. Then the tone drastically changes in the next scene, then goes back to trying to be scary in the next, then everything is back to normal, then scary again. This continues for quite a lot of the movie and it really made it hard to stay in the suspenseful mood the film was trying to achieve.

The problems with the spirit were very distracting by the end of the film. Very rarely in films like this does anything make a lot of sense, but at least they're not usually as in your face as they are in this film. A spirit that can seemingly do anything, can also only walk through one door to enter a house? An embarrassingly bad piece of writing there. The rules just seemed to be made up as they went along to fit the story.

The film's biggest strength is, as you might imagine, 'La Llorona' herself. She is suitably creepy. She was also used a lot which I liked. Often in these Conjuring universe movies the title character goes missing for large parts of the movie. That can't be said here. The film relies on a lot of jump-scares, some of them are actually done very well and caught me off guard. 'The Curse of La Llorona' does just enough to get by, but there are worse things you could do than going out to see it.
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1/10
The Curse of La Basura
schamarande28 April 2019
We were lucky to watch that movie in teen-free premises, which allowed us to focus on the story without suffering jumps, screams and laugh at their own jumps and screams, and repeat. That let us realize plot and twists were not part of the original budget. I guess all the money went to la llorona herself. The room was full of adults, we all laughed at how bad the acting was at times, when the tropes were too obvious... by the end, we were pissed we had not received money to waste two hours of our time.
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7/10
Delightfully cheesy. Should be watched on a rainy Saturday night...
CubsandCulture20 April 2019
Playing out like an extended Supernatural episode-the film even makes use of "salt" lines-this an utterly predictable ghost story that misappropriates a Mexican folktale for popcorn fun. The film scares are almost entirely derived from jump scares and cheap atmospherics. The characters, such as they are, are stock character with nary a whiff of personality. But for all that it is fun.

It is fun because it leans into being horror movie schlock and doesn't get bogged down with unnecessary filler. The film movies from one horror set piece to another with barely any down time. The acting by the children-critically given the plot-is effective and not the normal annoying children acting you get in films.

I am not the biggest fan of this series of films-most of them are quite stupid and graceless-but this one was a slice of horror cheese that I found tasty.
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1/10
Absolutely terrible.
mrsmia-9663721 April 2019
A bunch of loud yelling and screaming. A plot that has been done to death and just a mess of a movie. Period.
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6/10
Was Expecting More And More
ymyuseda22 April 2019
Rating 6.9/10 It's definitely not as good as conjuring or annabelle. My expectations aren't too high just based on the reviews we're seen but overall it really wasn't bad. There were several scenes really did create the atmosphere. In the end it's another run-of-the-mill horror film despite having a great story !!
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1/10
Why why why
nomorefog24 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Why was her husband killed before the movie starts. Why did she open the door when she was expressly told not to. Why is the backstory treated as though its unimportant when it could have been the backbone of the film. Why the parallel story, and why set it in 1973, did they pick the year out of a hat or what. Blind Harry could have written a better screenplay. And the worst screaming I've ever heard since the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, my neighbours thought I was inside being murdered. I've never bought into the Conjuring universe and think its just a fraud there are so many good horror movies around and this is just a terrible example of what Hollywood does to make a quick buck. The multicultural aspects of story and casting cannot hide the fact that this is a very poor film, and not worth any kind of recommendation.
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8/10
Decent movie, similar style to The Nun
gameoveraus18 April 2019
Bullet points, Nice fast paced, decent enough movie with alot of jump scares, Easter egg tie ins to The Conjuring universe, aswell as the production style. La Llorana has a striking resemblence to Valak in form and actions. Fans of the TV show Grimm get a movie based on one of the folk tales covered in the show.

Downfalls for me were, The scares were very predictable As typical in most horror movies the responses from the actors to events going on around them was somewhat dumbfounding.

In summary it was a decent enough movie in the Conjuring style and wasn't dissapointed.

Tho it's M rated there were a few parents who brought there pre-teen kids in and they were obviously "scared" and the entire back row of theatre were teens who were giggling and talking the whole time but that's not the movies fault.
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7/10
The Nun II (basically)
vincent-u1619 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
If you enjoy any movie in The Conjuring universe, you will probably enjoy this one as well.

It's basically the same concept as The Nun. ('Demon' has the same face etc) Created for jump scares, but very basic. A classic and enjoyable horror flick for the fans. Don't expect much but just empty your mind and enjoy the ride.
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3/10
world war 6
emcyr-4891420 May 2019
My math grades are scarier than this movie. Scoobydoobydon't watch this if you don't want to see Velma deliver the worst performance of her career.
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1/10
It's hell...of an atrocious movie.
Hongwaree_Raitao7 May 2019
The curse of La Llorona dissapoints in every aspect. The cast is so cheap, and the screenplay so poor. The writers did not put any effort to develop a smarter story, with deep stuff or something. You will only find a sad, generic and pathetic attempt to scare people. La Llorona will make you cry... for the wrong reason.
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6/10
Another weak entry in The Conjuring universe.
Anurag-Shetty21 April 2019
The Curse of La Llorona tells the story of Anna Tate-Garcia(Linda Cardellini) & her children, Chris(Roman Christou) & Sam(Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen). After ignoring a spooky warning from a mother who has been accused of endangering her children, Anna & her kids experience strange & terrifying events.

The Curse of La Llorona is a passable film. Director Michael Chavez has done nothing to change the continuing trend of inferior spin-off movies set in The Conjuring universe, apart from the superlative main film franchise consisting of, The Conjuring(2013) & The Conjuring 2(2016). Annabelle: Creation(2017) & The Nun(2018) surpass this movie. La Llorona ranks at the bottom of the pack, along with Annabelle(2014). The jump scares are super predictable. Linda Cardellini is brilliant as Anna Tate-Garcia. Roman Christou is superb as Chris. Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen is fantastic as Sam. Raymond Cruz is great as Rafael Olvera. Marisol Ramirez is impressive as La Llorona. The supporting cast is good. The Curse of La Llorona is not a must watch. Just sit tight & wait for the upcoming Annabelle Comes Home(2019), which looks far more promising.
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