“Lee Cronin’s the Mummy”: An Unsettling Psychological Horror Retelling that Unravels Buried Secrets

Hot on the heels of the hot movie Evil Dead Rise, writer/ director Lee Cronin embarks on a bold cinematic journey with an iconic horror story from the Universal Pictures creature feature canon: Lee Cronin’s the Mummy. This modern retelling dives deep into the horror genre and captures the spirit of earlier versions of The Mummy starring Boris Karloff and Christopher Lee in 1932 and Peter Cushing in 1959.

Like its predecessors, Lee Cronin’s interpretation explores themes of loss, mystery, and the terrifying nature of uncovering buried secrets. In this version of The Mummy, a Charlie Cannon (Jack Reynor) journalist’s young daughter Katie ( Natalie Grace) vanishes into the desert, only to return eight years later turning what should be a happy reunion into a living nightmare. The film also stars Laia Costa, May Calamawy, and Veronica Falcón.

Lee Cronin’s Creative Process: Discovering the Heart of the Story

Cronin shares his creative approach to filmmaking, “One of the things for me that I enjoy about being a filmmaker is not necessarily knowing what’s around the corner.” He doesn’t write a complete comprehensive outline before filming. He relishes the magic of discovery on set.

He also admits that he did not anticipate creating a film about mummy lore, so his eventual attachment to this project is even more intriguing.

“Conversation started around the topic of how there hasn’t been a truly terrifying version made of this before,” he recalls. What makes The Mummy so terrifying? Is it just the ever-present dread or creep atmosphere? “It’s always hard to quantify or put your finger on. If it gets its claws under your skin like it’s got you, I find it hard to let go,” Cronin mentions.

The craft in remaking The Mummy centers on telling a truly compelling family story within the mythology of the monster. “Once I found a piece of lore, a set of characters I was interested in  —a story that takes place at two different times around the same people — I started to get really engaged and involved.” This approach allowed Cronin to examine the deep psychological horror in his movie.

The Magician (Jayat Kamille) and Lee Cronin. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Unpacking Buried Secrets and Timelines

Cronin further elaborates on the film’s thematic nucleus, stating, “I wanted to tell a story about a buried secret.”  Egyptian lore, particularly surrounding mummies, emphasizes the concept of secrets that unfold over thousands of years, often unforeseen and horrific repercussions as the natural order of things is disrupted and curses unleashed.

Cronin’s narrative doesn’t extend over millenia. Rather, it explores a more immediate mystery that is affected by ancient Egyptian mythology. “The key story is about someone who goes missing and gets returned sooner than her entire lifetime having passed.”

This contrast between ancient lore and modern storytelling creates an intriguing storytelling parallel. Cronin chose to probe into the emotions associated with loss and reunion, making the horror aspect more immediate than esoteric. “Investigating that mystery — being able to get under the skin of that — was a really interesting part and a real point of difference in this movie,” he notes.

Jack Reynor (Charlie Cannon) & Natalie Grace (Katie Cannon) Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Blending Horror with Detective Elements

One of the film’s most notable plot features is its layered narrative structure. Cronin wanted to craft a story that transcends a straightforward arc with a defined beginning, middle, and end. He shares, “I wanted to tell something that had more than just an A narrative, but also had other things going on within the background.”

This approach introduces a detective angle to the film, departing from traditional horror movie and haunted house conventions. Cronin describes the film as a blend reminiscent of Poltergeist and Se7en. Se7en encapsulates the hard-boiled detective side of the Connors and some of the darker body horror elements, while Poltergeist captures the extraordinary circumstances faced by the family losing a child.

Cronin further emphasizes the importance of familial relationships in horror stories. “I definitely wanted to mash up some really dark themes with some warmth… because it’s something that we can all identify with.”

Crafting a Monster that Exists in Broad Daylight

“This is a monster movie and the creation of the monster is always of great importance,” Cronin remarks. A unique aspect of this film is the intention to reveal the monster in daylight, allowing the audience and the family to experience a sense of the unknown beyond hidden shadows.

“It’s about making her [Katie] better, healing her skin, healing her flesh,” Cronin says, discussing the evolution of the character Katie, whose return to her family sparks a series of dark revelations. Cronin wanted to explore how a seemingly innocent character could harbor disturbing truth. “Some of the things that are apparently wrong with her are actually connected to what happened to her in the first place,” he notes.

Katie Cannon (Natalie Grace) and Carmen Cannon (Veronica Falcon) Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Exploring Diverse Horror Elements

The Mummy is not just another tale of supernatural terror or a creature on the rampage; it embodies multiple facets of horror. Cronin notes, “This is a movie that plays a number of different horror chords.” He seeks to engage viewers emotionally, while also tapping into their primal fears. By combining the tenets of detective thrillers with psychological horror, the film delivers an unsettling experience.

by Staff Writer

From our in-house editorial team.