Something terrible is coming. Details are scarce as to what we can expect to see. But it’s impossible not feel the presence of that evil. You can feel it every second of the new two-minute trailer for The Curse of La Llorona, a tongue-twister of a title produced by horror master James Wan and directed by Michael Chaves, making his directorial debut. This first trailer does make me curious as to what terror might be hidden in the darkness of night and just what the dreaded La Llorona needs.
My Irish Catholic youth didn’t take me into any of the dark corners of this enduring Mexican legend. Even though I’m familiar with the legend of La Llorona, just the few little snipped about this creature I’ve gotten make it sound like a terrifying creation that will creep out and haunt people of all cultures and religions. La Llorona is described as being “caught between Heaven and Hell, trapped in a terrible fate sealed by her own hand.” I’m listening. It continues: “Beware of her chilling wail…she will stop at nothing to lure you into the gloom. Because there is no peace for her anguish. There is no mercy for her soul.” Oh yeah, I’m sold.
Michael Chaves has assembled a strong cast of recognizable and diverse faces for this horror tale set in 1970s Los Angeles. The cast is headlined by the great Linda Cardellini, who is joined by Raymond Cruz, Patricia Velasquez, Marisol Ramirez, Sean Patrick Thomas, Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen, and Roman Christou.
Warner Bros. is hoping that The Curse of La Llorona will be alongside studios’ immortal classic The Exorcist and become a staple of Halloween viewing for years to come. The trailer for The Curse of La Llorona has done a great job building that foundation — children imperil, an eternal mythical evil, and religious overtones that drive together. Warner Brothers will be releasing Michael Chaves’ The Curse of La Llorona in theaters on April 19, 2019.
The official synopsis for The Curse of La Llorona:
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 suspected of child endangerment, a social worker 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 and the mysticism he practices to keep evil at bay, on the fringes where fear and faith collide.
Beware of her chilling wail…she will stop at nothing to lure you into the gloom. Because there is no peace for her anguish. There is no mercy for her soul.
And there is no escape from the curse of La Llorona.
