Lee Cronin’s The Mummy review: A solid scarer that rarely feels like a Mummy movie

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Lee Cronin’s The Mummy offers some effective thrills, but feels more like a generic horror movie than a true Mummy story.

Over the years, there have been many films about mummies. These range from the classic, suspenseful original Universal movie from 1932 and its sequels, to the more sensational and long-running horror series produced by Hammer Film Productions.

The late 1990s saw a more action-oriented take on the story thanks to Steven Sommers, whose exciting franchise – starring Brendan Fraser in a role reminiscent of Indiana Jones – continued into the 2000s and is now getting a long-awaited continuation.

Now, some of the biggest names in horror – Jason Blum (of Blumhouse), James Wan (known for Saw and Insidious), and writer-director Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise) – are taking on the classic mummy story. Their film draws inspiration from many different monster movies, but it isn’t directly based on any of the ones they’ve previously worked on.

What is Lee Cronin’s The Mummy about?

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy tells the story of an American girl who vanishes in Cairo and reappears eight years later, discovered wrapped in bandages within a tomb. When she returns home to her family, she’s prepared to cause trouble.

The story begins with a disturbing event shown before the opening credits, taking place in a hidden room under a house. We are then introduced to the Cannon family, who are at the center of the frightening events that follow.

Charlie is a TV reporter living in Egypt with his wife and two children, and she’s expecting another baby. He’s hoping for a major career opportunity back in New York. However, his world turns upside down when his daughter is kidnapped from their garden – a truly frightening moment in the movie.

Charlie runs after the woman who has taken his baby, but they’re caught in a sandstorm, and Katie disappears.

Katie’s wretched return

Eight years have passed, and the Cannons now live in Albuquerque. Their son is frustrated by how much his parents worry, and they have a new daughter who is around the same age Katie was when she went missing.

Despite everything, they still believe their daughter will come home, and they’ve kept her bedroom ready just in case. Then, completely unexpectedly, they receive a call with incredible news: Katie has been found alive, inside a sarcophagus!

The situation with Katie is complex. While there is some positive news, she’s also facing serious challenges. She has internal injuries, is currently unresponsive and in a catatonic state, and has significant scars from self-harm.

The family is advised that taking their daughter home offers the best hope for her recovery, and this belief drives much of what happens next. Even when things get much worse – to the point where anyone else would immediately seek help from the doctor – the Cannons stubbornly try to manage the situation themselves, with devastating consequences.

House of horrors

The movie unfolds with two parallel storylines, beginning with the frightening events inside the Cannon family’s home. Their young child, now possessed, attacks her grandmother, frightens her uncle and new stepsister, and endlessly roams the house while her parents desperately try to catch her.

The scenes are often chaotic and overwhelming, making it difficult to follow what’s happening. It’s never quite clear what Katie’s abilities are – she can read minds, float in the air, and even take control of other people as the story unfolds.

Without clear rules for the movie’s world or a defined explanation of the main character’s abilities, the film feels unplanned and relies on whatever’s needed to create frightening moments.

Mystery of The Mummy

In this story, Charlie begins searching for Katie after she goes missing, hoping to discover what happened to her and possibly help her overcome her current situation.

Jack Reynor delivers a compelling performance in these scenes, authentically portraying Charlie’s pain. The film also features some classic mummy action, with a unique take on the typical curse and mummy wrappings that drive the central mystery.

However, the film is short and its ideas feel a little disconnected, as Cronin’s focus remains primarily on the terrifying events happening back home.

Is The Mummy good?

Okay, so when The Mummy hits, it really hits. The opening scene with the abduction was awesome, and that chase during the sandstorm was super intense. There’s this one part with a voice-box that’s actually really clever, and honestly, the moment the Cannons realize what happened to their daughter? That was legitimately scary. Those parts were fantastic!

The film openly acknowledges its inspirations. Katie’s struggles are similar to those seen in The Exorcist and the recent Exorcist: Believer, and her exploration of the house’s hidden areas—like hallways and the attic—reminds viewers of Hellraiser.

The movie opens with a clever and playful reference to Snow White. Later, a humorous scene set in a school feels reminiscent of E.T., but with much more adult language.

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy feels most similar to his film Evil Dead Rise, especially during the intense home battles between the Cannon family and their possessed relatives. The mummy in this film often acts less like a classic monster and more like a demonic force, similar to the Deadites in Evil Dead Rise.

This is a well-made horror film with strong acting and a few good scares, though it only loosely resembles a traditional mummy movie.

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy hits screens worldwide on April 17, 2026.

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2026-04-16 16:20