La Llorona: film review

La Llorona, the weeping woman, is an amazing film, you really must try to watch if possible.

This is an old tale that spans several continents, the story of a woman who watches her children die and then dies herself, forever weeping. In this film the backdrop is the genocide that occurred in Guatemala, a genocide that I am embarrassed to say I knew little about.

We meet a monster, a General of the army that ordered the massacres of Maya civilians who is facing a trial for his crimes. The courtroom scene is unbelievably heartbreaking and haunting. The General is found guilty but wins on appeal. But the film is about the women in his life. His wife who justifies the killings and rapes. His surgeon daughter who comes to realise who her father is. His granddaughter who’s been googling him. His Mayan maid who we learn is probably his daughter. A new maid arrives and their lives change forever.

Beautifully shot, this is a classic cabin-in-the-woods style horror where everyone is trapped in a house and can’t leave. Here they can’t leave because of the demonstrations outside who are relentlessly making noise and throwing things at the house.

I studied public international law at university and we studied Central America and Guatemala wasn’t mentioned at all. That such a horrific massacre, 3,000 Mayans were killed a week, occurred in my lifetime and I didn’t know about it has lead me to want to read more and my partner is now making monthly payments to a charity that helps Mayan women.

I am still thinking about the film and that is really the mark of a great film. A must watch! P.s. the trailer doesn’t do the film any justice.