Forget everything you think you know about mummies. This isn’t a dusty, shambling creature of ancient lore. This is a terrifying reimagining, a story that begins with a family’s worst nightmare and spirals into something far more sinister.
The Cannon family – Charlie, a journalist; Larissa, his pregnant wife; and their young daughters, Katie and Sebastian – relocate to Cairo for a new chapter. But their hopes for a fresh start are shattered when Katie vanishes from their garden, leaving authorities baffled and the family devastated.
Eight years pass, and the Cannons attempt to rebuild their lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, living with Larissa’s mother. Charlie has traded a promising career for a quieter life, haunted by the unsolved mystery of his missing daughter. Then, an impossible call arrives from the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
Katie has been found. Alive. But not as they remember her. She’s discovered within a 3,000-year-old sarcophagus, meticulously wrapped like a mummy, and in a disturbing, almost catatonic state. Her skin is pallid, her teeth cracked, her nails thickened and unnatural.
Bringing Katie home unleashes a terrifying ordeal. The girl they once knew is gone, replaced by something malevolent and powerful. Violent outbursts and unsettling changes begin to plague the family, hinting at a dark force residing within Katie.
Meanwhile, in Cairo, Detective Dalia Zaki, the original investigator on Katie’s disappearance, relentlessly pursues the truth, determined to unravel the mystery surrounding the girl’s fate and the ancient forces at play. Her investigation runs parallel to the horrors unfolding in New Mexico.
This isn’t your classic mummy movie. The filmmakers deliberately steer clear of the established Universal monster, forging a new path that feels less like a creature feature and more like a chilling possession story. Comparisons to “The Exorcist” are unavoidable, particularly with Natalie Grace’s unsettling and captivating performance.
Director Lee Cronin, fresh off the success of “Evil Dead Rise,” reunites his creative team, delivering a visually striking and atmospheric experience. The cinematography is haunting, and the score amplifies the growing sense of dread, creating a palpable tension throughout the film.
However, the film leans heavily into graphic visuals, relying on shock value to deliver scares. While undeniably gruesome, these moments sometimes overshadow the genuine psychological terror that the premise promises. The emphasis on physical horror feels, at times, like a familiar trope.
Despite a strong start and compelling performances, the narrative falters in its final act. The momentum slows, and the resolution feels somewhat unsatisfying. Yet, the supporting cast shines, particularly Veronica Falcón as the pragmatic grandmother, providing much-needed moments of levity.
Young Billie Roy also delivers a standout performance, portraying a chilling transformation when influenced by the entity controlling Katie. These performances elevate the film, even as the plot struggles to maintain its grip.
“Lee Cronin’s The Mummy” is a technically proficient horror film that ultimately feels uneven. It offers a fresh take on a classic monster, but falls short of delivering a truly unforgettable experience. It’s a film that will likely appeal to horror fans, but may not linger long in the memory.
The film contains strong disturbing violent content, gore, language, and brief drug use and has a runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes. It is currently playing in theaters.
