Walking into the cinema with a tub of popcorn, prepared to watch Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, you might find yourself pondering one major question: “Who is Lee Cronin?” Alongside that curiosity, you may wonder about the absence of Brendan Fraser, the connections to the 1999 film The Mummy, and the failed 2017 Dark Universe reboot. How did Warner Bros. produce this movie without ties to the previous Mummy franchise and upcoming reboot? And again, who exactly is Lee Cronin?
Lee Cronin serves as both the writer and director of the film, but let’s set aside the backstage complexities for now. Instead, let’s delve into the myriad of chaotic elements Cronin presents on screen, as there are plenty to sift through in this macabre tale.
The narrative kicks off with an Egyptian family exuding joy, except for a stern mother who oddly rejects her children’s happiness and remains unfazed by their pet bird’s sudden bloodied state. However, the story swiftly transitions to an American family residing in Egypt. Here, we meet Charlie Cannon, an aspiring journalist striving for a better life in New York with his pregnant wife Larissa, and their children, Sebastián and Katie. Amidst a dusty Cairo storm, Katie vanishes, setting off a chain of events involving Detective Dalia Zaki’s search for her, intertwined with the Cannon family’s saga.
As the plot unfolds through a tangled web of human trafficking, ancient curses, and a lead-sealed sarcophagus, the film delves into the return of a traumatized and eerie Katie, now exhibiting unsettling behaviors. This sets the stage for a possession-themed narrative cloaked in the trappings of an Egyptian mummy tale, sporadically touching on themes of family bonds, distrust, and desertion.
Initially touted as a departure from traditional Mummy movies, Lee Cronin’s vision appears detached from Universal’s monster movie lineage. Despite speculations and parallels drawn from shared titles, the film stands on its own. The narrative’s murky origins coincide with Universal’s renewed Mummy franchise, adding to the confusion. Reports hint at a possible reworking following unfavorable test screenings, leading to a diluted storyline blending possession tropes with vague nods to Egyptian culture.
Critiques of the movie highlight its disjointed plot, lackluster character development, and reliance on horror clichés without meaningful substance. Cronin’s attempt to infuse familial horror akin to acclaimed titles like Sinister falls short, resulting in a grotesque yet hollow cinematic experience. While the film may appeal to fans of visceral horror, its shortcomings in storytelling and thematic depth detract from its impact.
In essence, Lee Cronin’s The Mummy struggles to find its footing amidst a mishmash of horror elements, failing to deliver a cohesive and engaging narrative beyond shock value.
