When people think of the Mummy, they usually picture the 1999 film starring Brendan Fraser. The film itself leans more into modern, gritty supernatural horror than its ’99 predecessor. It feels more like a spiritualsuccessor to the 2017 film of the same name. The similarities start with the genderbending of the title character and end with the almost parallel conclusion of both films 

The story follows an American journalist living in Egypt with his family: his pregnant wife, his daughter and his son. One day, his daughter suddenly disappears for eight years. From that point on, the movie adopts a more traditional exorcism approach to its plot. Midway through the film, the repeated possessions begin to feel excessive and slows the film’s momentum. 

In line with both recent adaptations and the 1999 movie, they do not connect to the 1932 Boris Karloff version of The Mummy. Some people suspect that this might be Universal’s second attempt to revive their Universal Monsters lineup. 

Eighteen years after the 1999 release of The Mummy, 2017 marked the start of the Dark Universe with The Mummy. The Dark Universe aimed to create a cinematic universe that revived all of Universal’s classic monster movies, Dracula, The Wolf Man, Creature of the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein’s Monster and, lastly, The Mummy. 

The Dark Universe collapsed after audiences rejected the 2017 film. Now, this reincarnation of The Mummy may have a stab at potentially reviving a presumed lost cause. Nothing is confirmed about whether this is a second attempt at Universal’s Dark Universe or just the studio’s wish to keep its licensing of the character. 

Beyond all the planning about why this adaptation came to be, it introduces Egyptian Arabic into the plot. Several scenes featuring the language are prominent throughout the film. Knowing and understanding it plays a vital role in the climax of the story. With the language comes the people who speak it, meaning that Egyptian actors portray major characters. 

It is a distinguished addition to the story’s plot that sets this movie apart from the others before it. With this new plot device, the language keeps you grounded in the movie. The stronger sense of realism may be the reason behind the most positive reviews of audiences. The movie’s effects may also have contributed to its positive reviews.  

Most effects are practical, which is a change of pace from the norm in some horror films. CGI is a needed tool in the film industry, but it can be overused in some instances. The transitions between practical effects and CGI feel smooth and natural.  Given the director and producers behind this movie, it is not exactly unexpected. 

The cast’s performances are immersive. Everyone in the cast most definitely gave it their all in their portrayals. However, some lines could be seen as over the top, even though their execution is good. The script may not carry the movie, but the actors sure do. The dedication to their roles is prominent throughout the entirety of the film. 

At the end of the day, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is a decent film if you are looking for a tame horror film, it’s a captivating film. The only way to figure that out is if you see the movie yourself. If you enjoy Lee Cronin’s other film, Evil Dead Rising, you may enjoy this latest installment in his filmography. Producer James Wan brings a more The Conjuring sense to the film in tandem with Lee Cronin’s individual style.