The Curse of the Weeping Woman is the latest offering by Hollywood in the horror genre. The movie has been produced by James Wan, who was at the helm of The Conjuring universe. In fact -apologies for the minor spoiler - the makers weave in Curse of the Weeping Woman in the Conjuring universe somehow. I wouldn't say that the inclusion is seamless, but it is fun. And that pretty much defines the entire movie. Not exactly a great film but quite fun to watch. Michael Chaves makes his directorial debut with the film, and for the most part, he has only played with ridiculous cliches. But he knows the pulse of horror films as he makes it quite an entertaining ride anyway.

The Curse of the Weeping Woman uses the Mexican folklore of  La Llorona, a woman who drowned her two children in a fit of rage. Now, her spirit haunts other children to make them her own now. The newest victims of La Llorona's haunting are Anna Garcia (Linda Cardellini) and her two children, Samantha (Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen) and Chris (Roman Christou). The spirit's malevolent jump scares, in the first one hour of the film, makes the Garcia family seek the help of an ex-priest, Rafael (Raymond Cruz).

I have never seen so many cliches come together in one single film. Every horror movie trope under the sun has been used in the film. Imagine this, a door with a mirror mounted on it slowly shuts, increasing the audience's anticipation that there will be a ghoulish figure in the mirror. But this technique has been used in so many films over centuries that horror movies these days do this one particular thing; no ghost in the mirror, just the anticipation of it elevates the tension and maybe makes the audience chuckle. But in The Curse of the Weeping Woman, boy, there are ghosts in the mirror when the door shuts!

Characters do dumb things throughout the film, so many times that you might want them to just go die already. If a woman appears out of nowhere and burns your hand, please inform your mother about it. Of course, the kids in this movie don't. But their dumbness makes for 'cutely horrifying' scenes. Yes, I came up with a new adjective to define what happened. A kid's doll falls beyond the protective line of holy seeds (?), so she bends as far as she can to pick it up without breaking the barrier. Dumb scene but, God, I had my heart in my mouth. There are many such scenes to list out. I am still wondering how the director made it all work out. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing him take over the Conjuring 3.

There are few moments of humour that have been placed right in the middle of the intense scenes and they help to ease the tension.

Have you seen Raaz? Yes, the Bipasha Basu starrer horror film from 2002. It is just lame, but the epic climax is so ridiculously campy that its fun to watch. The Curse of the Weeping Woman gave me the same feeling. All the campy fun makes it an enjoyable watch if nothing else.

Linda Cardellini is the best thing about this one. She has acted her heart out as she screams for the safety of her kids. The child actors are also good but if only the writing would have justified their talent.

It's a movie well made, if, despite the sheer lack of conviction, it entertains you. Though, I will deduct a few points for the over usage of the cliched tropes.

Watch the trailer of The Curse of La Llorona

Yay

- Good old campy fun THROUGHOUT

- Star cast gets full marks

- The bathtub scene and the kids trapped in the car scene

Nay

- So many cliches. So many

- Just a couple of slow-motion shots could have been avoided, but I doubt anyone would even notice

- Ghost uses doors in the movie. Lol, wut?

Conclusion

It is certainly a better film than The Nun and Annabelle. Maybe not as well made as other entries in Conjuring universe. But make a plan on your WhatsApp group with your friends to watch The Curse of the Weeping Woman and laugh, get scared, and be entertained. You might forget the movie in a couple of weeks, but the fun you'll have will make a good memory.

Rating:3out of 5

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 18, 2019 01:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).