LEE CRONIN'S THE MUMMY (2026)

Genre: Horror/Thriller
Director: Lee Cronin
Cast: Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, May Calamawy, Natalie Grace, Veronica Falcón
Runtime: 2 hr 13 mins
Rating: M18 (Violence and Gore)
Released By: Warner Bros
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 16 April 2026

Synopsis: Hot off the record-setting resurrection of EVIL DEAD RISE, writer/director Lee Cronin turns to one of the most iconic horror stories of all time with an audacious and twisted retelling: LEE CRONIN’S THE MUMMY. The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace—eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare.

Movie Review:

For many viewers, The Mummy conjures images of swashbuckling adventure — wisecracks, sandstorms, and dashing heroes outrunning ancient curses. The version popularised by Brendan Fraser leaned heavily into action and spectacle, even giving us the now-infamous CGI Scorpion King (yes, the one that still hasn’t quite aged gracefully). But with this movie titled Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, the director makes it clear from the outset that this is not that kind of ride.

Cronin, who also pens the screenplay, strips away the adventure and replaces it with something far more unsettling. The story begins with a devastating note, where a young girl goes missing, much to the despair of her parents. Eight years later, she is returned, but this is the beginning of a waking nightmare, as the family slowly realises that what has come back is not entirely their child.

Fans of Cronin’s previous work Evil Dead Rise (2023) will have a sense of what lies ahead. This is horror that does not flinch. The film leans heavily into visceral, body-centric terror, delivering sequences filled with blood, bile, and all manner of squelchy, slimy, and sticky textures. It is the kind of filmmaking that aims to make audiences physically recoil. There is little relief to be found here; the film is relentless in its discomfort.

Tonally, this Mummy is worlds apart from its predecessors. There is no sense of fun or escapism. Instead, Cronin crafts an atmosphere that is persistently gloomy and oppressive. The palette is muted, the pacing deliberate, and the tension simmering. It may feel almost punishing at times, but that bleakness serves a purpose. After all, if you were faced with the return of a loved one in such a grotesque and unnatural state, there would be nothing to laugh about.

At its core, the film is less about ancient curses and more about grief, denial, and the fragile hope that refuses to let go. This emotional thread comes to the forefront in one particularly harrowing sequence, where the parents watch their daughter undergo a disturbing ritual. It is a scene that is difficult to sit through — not just because of its graphic nature, but because of the emotional weight it carries.

Much of this impact can be credited to Natalie Grace, who delivers a striking performance as the returned daughter. Her portrayal is terrifying and will have viewers squirming in their seats while they witness unsettling and unnatural movements, as well as moments of apparent self-harm. Even a glance at the film’s poster — with her haunting, grotesque appearance — is enough to suggest the physical and emotional demands of the role.

This movie rejects nostalgia in favour of something far darker and more intense. It may alienate those expecting adventure, but for viewers willing to embrace its grim vision, it offers an unsettling and emotionally charged horror experience.

Movie Rating:

(No wisecracks, no adventures — just dread, decay, and a very different kind of curse)

Review by John Li