This is another of a half dozen or so poorly acted poorly scripted La Llorona film about the legend of the demon that causes women to drown their own children. The production couldn't hold my interest 3 minutes into the film. They used typical horror piano music and what was that fakey looking red-eye make-up? Horror fans will be bored to tears.
14 Reviews
A awful take on the La Llorona legend
msw_rdc24 May 2008
The Cry is a take on the La Llorona legend of Mexico and America. The two countries have many different takes on the legend. This film seems by all accounts to take from one of the Mexican legends of La Llorona hunting down children and drowning them.
The director Bernadine Santistevan film is stylishly shot, and looks fantastic, but unfortunately it lacks any substance.
Nothing is ever really explained in the film, like for example why La Llorona turned up in New York of all places. Why not Mexico where there is more history of the legend, and most importantly why she choose her victims.
Without these major points explained in the movie it all seemed kind of pointless.
One other thing I don't think an evil spirit possessing mothers to kill their own babies (and very young babies at that) is not a very good idea for a film. There are so many variations on this legend why not choose one that's a little less disturbing.
To sum it up people looking for "Dead Silence" or "Darkness Falls" type of film don't bother renting this, but people with an active interest in the La Llorona legend my find it interesting.
The director Bernadine Santistevan film is stylishly shot, and looks fantastic, but unfortunately it lacks any substance.
Nothing is ever really explained in the film, like for example why La Llorona turned up in New York of all places. Why not Mexico where there is more history of the legend, and most importantly why she choose her victims.
Without these major points explained in the movie it all seemed kind of pointless.
One other thing I don't think an evil spirit possessing mothers to kill their own babies (and very young babies at that) is not a very good idea for a film. There are so many variations on this legend why not choose one that's a little less disturbing.
To sum it up people looking for "Dead Silence" or "Darkness Falls" type of film don't bother renting this, but people with an active interest in the La Llorona legend my find it interesting.
Not As bad As Some Claim, But Not Worth Seeing Either
gavin694215 July 2008
Spanish Harlem is plagued with a rash of disappearances and murders revolving around small children. Nothing seems to connect the crimes except that they seem to take place near bodies of water (although at least one occurs in a bathtub). We enter the story from two angles -- a woman who can see the victims in her visions and two police detectives, one of whom had a troubled childhood.
"The Cry" (or "La Llorona") was a confusing film for me. I never understood how the main actress was connected to the crimes. I don't know why the fortune teller scene was so long (seemingly to explain the Weeping Woman, but it didn't do this very well). And the flashbacks to the cop's childhood? Or the flashback to the girl by the water? Very hard to follow and ultimately more distracting than anything. The film was 80 minutes, but could easily have been 60 if the opening credits were cut down and the extra material (flashbacks) were excised.
Stylistically the film is good. The director really captures some great shots and the use of lenses or filters to give scenes different colors was a nice touch (sometimes blue, other times green or orange). The use of two different kinds of cameras made the editing look a bit sloppy (not unlike "Cabin by the Lake 2"). The overhead shots were also unnecessary.
I don't mean to be harsh, because really I could see this was a labor of love and it does have potential if it had simply been edited differently. And I applaud the writer for exploring a traditional part of her culture. In a bonus feature, she says she scoured the earth for five years collecting stories of La Llorona. Unfortunately, she left us with an inconsistent narrative that doesn't really make those stories clear. (Personally, I would recommend a book presenting oral histories of the Llorona tales... it would be more appropriate than the film).
I keep bringing up Ryan Harper's "Circulation" again and again in my reviews. I can't stress enough how great that film is. And here it comes again. If you're looking for one film that brings Spanish-American culture to the audience the best, you want "Circulation". "The Cry", while not a bad film, left me more confused than anything and I failed to connect with whatever the message was intended to be.
"The Cry" (or "La Llorona") was a confusing film for me. I never understood how the main actress was connected to the crimes. I don't know why the fortune teller scene was so long (seemingly to explain the Weeping Woman, but it didn't do this very well). And the flashbacks to the cop's childhood? Or the flashback to the girl by the water? Very hard to follow and ultimately more distracting than anything. The film was 80 minutes, but could easily have been 60 if the opening credits were cut down and the extra material (flashbacks) were excised.
Stylistically the film is good. The director really captures some great shots and the use of lenses or filters to give scenes different colors was a nice touch (sometimes blue, other times green or orange). The use of two different kinds of cameras made the editing look a bit sloppy (not unlike "Cabin by the Lake 2"). The overhead shots were also unnecessary.
I don't mean to be harsh, because really I could see this was a labor of love and it does have potential if it had simply been edited differently. And I applaud the writer for exploring a traditional part of her culture. In a bonus feature, she says she scoured the earth for five years collecting stories of La Llorona. Unfortunately, she left us with an inconsistent narrative that doesn't really make those stories clear. (Personally, I would recommend a book presenting oral histories of the Llorona tales... it would be more appropriate than the film).
I keep bringing up Ryan Harper's "Circulation" again and again in my reviews. I can't stress enough how great that film is. And here it comes again. If you're looking for one film that brings Spanish-American culture to the audience the best, you want "Circulation". "The Cry", while not a bad film, left me more confused than anything and I failed to connect with whatever the message was intended to be.
Stink-A-Roo...... boring garbage
windtar16 October 2009
wow, was this film awful....
$1 rental at redbox wasted.
the only reason i watched the whole thing is because i'm paralyzed and when in bed i couldn't shut it off myself, lol.
every scene was long and drawn out with boring camera scenes.
the flashbacks were long and boring and very predictable.
nothing was interesting or scary.
you could cut out 45 minutes of this film and not lose anything to the story.
the cast was awful, and i wanted the spirit to kill everyone just so movie would end.
i'd watch my mother the car reruns before this film, hehe.
the only thing the writer should feel proud of is she found a sucker to finance it.
Stink-A-Roo don't waste your time.
$1 rental at redbox wasted.
the only reason i watched the whole thing is because i'm paralyzed and when in bed i couldn't shut it off myself, lol.
every scene was long and drawn out with boring camera scenes.
the flashbacks were long and boring and very predictable.
nothing was interesting or scary.
you could cut out 45 minutes of this film and not lose anything to the story.
the cast was awful, and i wanted the spirit to kill everyone just so movie would end.
i'd watch my mother the car reruns before this film, hehe.
the only thing the writer should feel proud of is she found a sucker to finance it.
Stink-A-Roo don't waste your time.
Boring, Pointless and Unpleasant Mess
claudio_carvalho23 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
In New York, detective Alex Scott (Christian Camargo) is investigating with his partner Sergio Perez (Carlos Leon) the disappearance of several children. When they visit the Mexican witch Gloria (Miriam Colon), the woman advises that a powerful evil force is chasing the reincarnation of her son and drowning the other children to bring pain to their mothers.
"The Cry" is a boring, pointless and unpleasant mess about a Mexican legend called "La Llorona". This is the first time that I see a reference to this legend, and maybe this movie might make some sense to those that are familiar with "La Llorona". However, the screenplay is terrible, without development of characters or situations, and there is an absolute lack of explanation about everything that happens in the story. Why the evil spirit is attacking children in New York? Why the former Wall Street broker Scott has become a New York detective after losing his son? Why Maria was able to protect her son and why she blinded herself in the end? The lead character Scott is absolutely boring; maybe the actor has felt the turkey he was hired to work. Last but not the least, the theme of mothers drowning babies and children is of an extremely bad taste even for a pseudo-horror movie. My vote is one.
Title (Brazil): "Gritos da Morte" ("Cries of the Death")
"The Cry" is a boring, pointless and unpleasant mess about a Mexican legend called "La Llorona". This is the first time that I see a reference to this legend, and maybe this movie might make some sense to those that are familiar with "La Llorona". However, the screenplay is terrible, without development of characters or situations, and there is an absolute lack of explanation about everything that happens in the story. Why the evil spirit is attacking children in New York? Why the former Wall Street broker Scott has become a New York detective after losing his son? Why Maria was able to protect her son and why she blinded herself in the end? The lead character Scott is absolutely boring; maybe the actor has felt the turkey he was hired to work. Last but not the least, the theme of mothers drowning babies and children is of an extremely bad taste even for a pseudo-horror movie. My vote is one.
Title (Brazil): "Gritos da Morte" ("Cries of the Death")
Waste of Money (Time You Will Regret Spending on this Clunker)
nycitygwm21 June 2008
I hate to bash anyone's work, but this is simply the WORST film ever. It would take far too long to list this film's problems, but suffice to say...you will be wasting your time and money on a terrible film.
As far as the mother's killing their babies because of La Lorona, well that could have been handled in a terrifying but effective way (if it had to be handled), but this is not a thoughtful or sensitive treatment. It's not even a scary horror movie and the acting is so stiff - where was the director?
As to why it was shot in New York City instead of Mexico, clearly there were budget issues. But location is the least of the problems. I wish there was something good to say about this film, but I couldn't find it.
Maybe the film's writer/director or some cast/crew can post some positive comments...
As far as the mother's killing their babies because of La Lorona, well that could have been handled in a terrifying but effective way (if it had to be handled), but this is not a thoughtful or sensitive treatment. It's not even a scary horror movie and the acting is so stiff - where was the director?
As to why it was shot in New York City instead of Mexico, clearly there were budget issues. But location is the least of the problems. I wish there was something good to say about this film, but I couldn't find it.
Maybe the film's writer/director or some cast/crew can post some positive comments...
My Review
joemamaohio27 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Based around the urban legend of La Llorona, "The Cry" deals with mothers who drown their children because a spirit tells them to. Trying to get to the bottom of this phenomena is officer Alex Smith (Christian Camargo), who has his own terrifying secrets. As he delves into the legend, he begins to realize that it's not just a legend, but a reality.
La Llorona is said to be a spirit of a woman who, after her lover jilted her, drowned her child in retaliation, then weeps for him, and she wants company so she convinces mothers to drown her children so she has someone to cry with. It's all a pitiful excuse mothers give as to why they drown their children - one of the most despicable acts imaginable. And this movie was just as horrible.
La Llorona is said to be a spirit of a woman who, after her lover jilted her, drowned her child in retaliation, then weeps for him, and she wants company so she convinces mothers to drown her children so she has someone to cry with. It's all a pitiful excuse mothers give as to why they drown their children - one of the most despicable acts imaginable. And this movie was just as horrible.
Most Awful Movie Ever
kdu65114 July 2009
Warning: Spoilers
I was really excited about this modern take because Mexcian folk tales and especially la llorona stories are a passion of mine. I had heard it was bad and I was willing to deal with bad effects/bad acting etc for a sake of enjoying a new twist on my favorite scary story. however. i was so unbelievably disappointed in this film that i almost couldn't watch it, but i did, praying it would get better. Its not scary. Its terrible acting despite the main actor (who is a terrific actor as seen on Dexter) so I know it is simply the screenplay and not the actors themselves (with the notable exception of the main detective's awkward and laughable-in- a-bad-way partner who was just horrendous. all the women didn't do bad at all but maybe that is because all together there may have been about five lines of dialogue written for all the females in this film combined. the worst part of the movie by far was the story. with such amazing folklore to work with i don't understand how it was even possible to make this movie as terrible as it was. i can scare my nephews with this story by telling it to them in the middle of the day in the car. i don't get how with such a large budget (you can tell by the caliber of cinematography) they could have made this story so frustratingly boring. i agree with the last review: none of this story makes sense and is ever explained. it trails along and leaves off like a seven year old making it up at a camp fire and then ending it abruptly when she realizes everyone has stopped listening. I also think that the way the scene was shot with the white mami was indeed in horribly bad taste. Come on Biny, lets see you choose better projects in the future.
Worst movie ever made in the history of all movies!!!!!!!
reneejayy303 June 2009
What in the world was this about??? I noticed early on that this movie was taking an deep plummet toward tastelessness when I figured out what was happening to the children! This is absolutely the worst movie I have ever, seen in the 35 years that I have been living in this world!
I don't think I have ever seen a worse movie. At least nothing that would 've surpassed this this total waste of time and space! How was anyone able to convince a movie production company to green light such a pointless heap of cow dung is beyond me!! Please America, save your brain cells for something like Benjamin Button or some other good movie recommendations. I don't want to give to many details, so that you may have a chance to watch for yourself, If you dare. Ohterwise, you have been warned!!!!
I don't think I have ever seen a worse movie. At least nothing that would 've surpassed this this total waste of time and space! How was anyone able to convince a movie production company to green light such a pointless heap of cow dung is beyond me!! Please America, save your brain cells for something like Benjamin Button or some other good movie recommendations. I don't want to give to many details, so that you may have a chance to watch for yourself, If you dare. Ohterwise, you have been warned!!!!
The horror movie that is not scary
jacobjohntaylor15 March 2017
This is a very bad movie. It is not scary. It is awful. The story line is awful. If you want to see a really scary movie see The Exorcist. Do not waste your money. Do not waste your time. Do see this awful movie. This is one of the worst horror movie of all time. If you want to something really scary see The Exorcist II. Do not see this movie. The Exorcist III is another movie that is really scary. But this movie is awful. Exorcist the beginning is also very scary. But this is just awful. Do not see this movie. The ending is awful. Damnation is a lot better. A Nightmare on elms street is better. the original A Nightmare on elm street from 1984 is a really good horror movie. The remake of A Nightmare on elm street from 2010 really bad and even it is better then this crap. This a ghost story. Ghost stories can be scary. But this one is not.
Creepy? Yes - Scary? Not so much
Gravastorm24 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Visually appealing, sometimes flat dialog and a disturbing storyline combine for a decently creepy first attempt from this writer/director.
After seeing the film then reading the comments here it is evident how little attention watchers paid to the story. The following seem to be the important points that were missed. Young mother Maria is sensitive to the paranormal which generates an early encounter with the cursed spirit La Llorona (who killed her son by drowning because of a man's treachery and is doomed to possess mothers to do the same) and results in her ability to sketch the spirit's victims. Detective Alex Scott is haunted by the loss of his child to the spirit's influence several years ago. Fearing for the life of her young son Maria contacts Alex who learns from a fortune teller that Maria's boy is the reincarnation of the cursed woman's murdered child. She says the only way to defeat the spirit is to "pluck out the evil eye".
Chilling and atmospheric I am interested to see what this director may do with a bit more experience.
After seeing the film then reading the comments here it is evident how little attention watchers paid to the story. The following seem to be the important points that were missed. Young mother Maria is sensitive to the paranormal which generates an early encounter with the cursed spirit La Llorona (who killed her son by drowning because of a man's treachery and is doomed to possess mothers to do the same) and results in her ability to sketch the spirit's victims. Detective Alex Scott is haunted by the loss of his child to the spirit's influence several years ago. Fearing for the life of her young son Maria contacts Alex who learns from a fortune teller that Maria's boy is the reincarnation of the cursed woman's murdered child. She says the only way to defeat the spirit is to "pluck out the evil eye".
Chilling and atmospheric I am interested to see what this director may do with a bit more experience.
Awesome! Intelligent and entertaining.
sofialuca1006 October 2009
Entertaining and intelligent story behind this Latino legend.
Great film-making also! I definitely recommend this film.
It stayed clear of silly stereotypes.
The story was interesting.
The directing and acting was great.
Looks like a big budget film, even though it wasn't a Hollywood film.
It jumps into interesting cultural issues.
And the director and writers isn't afraid to bringing up societal taboos. A must see.
I grew up with the legend.
It scared me then.
This movie also scares me.
Great film-making also! I definitely recommend this film.
It stayed clear of silly stereotypes.
The story was interesting.
The directing and acting was great.
Looks like a big budget film, even though it wasn't a Hollywood film.
It jumps into interesting cultural issues.
And the director and writers isn't afraid to bringing up societal taboos. A must see.
I grew up with the legend.
It scared me then.
This movie also scares me.
Mediocre
tirassi-4497930 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This film isn't great, but not horrible. It's definitely a slow burn flick that had a disappointing ending. But seeing as I got it in a collection of 20 movies that I spent maybe $5 on, it's okay. Soundtrack is nice though.
Please don't have kids if you're wive is a homicide
SEFEROTHxNARUTO_70518 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
*SPOILERS*
This movie is about little Rob and his red ball, or so i thought, he was kill. Amazing plot twist in the first three minutes. Sometimes the movie was actually really good but I didn't fully focus on it in person. My brother insisted on watching the movie because of his inner hatred towards our mother who is a drunken alcohol. I was busy with my hot girlfriend Jessica on snapchat. The car scene was a bit weird. The cradle baby infant is a horrible actor who should be ashamed of him/herself. Jessica wanted to skype so I didn't watch the rest but my brother said it was good so I rate it a 5. he's really good with movies and saw a lot of movies like advengers and batman.
This movie is about little Rob and his red ball, or so i thought, he was kill. Amazing plot twist in the first three minutes. Sometimes the movie was actually really good but I didn't fully focus on it in person. My brother insisted on watching the movie because of his inner hatred towards our mother who is a drunken alcohol. I was busy with my hot girlfriend Jessica on snapchat. The car scene was a bit weird. The cradle baby infant is a horrible actor who should be ashamed of him/herself. Jessica wanted to skype so I didn't watch the rest but my brother said it was good so I rate it a 5. he's really good with movies and saw a lot of movies like advengers and batman.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
