Lee Cronin's The Mummy

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is a 133‑minute supernatural horror that flips the classic mummy myth on its head. Instead of a pharaoh in a golden sarcophagus, the film follows a modern family who, after an eight‑year disappearance, is shocked to find their daughter returned—mummified and carrying a dark secret. The story is told through the eyes of investigative reporter Charlie Cannon, his pregnant wife Larissa, and their kids, as they grapple with a living nightmare that turns a joyous reunion into a terrifying ordeal.

The film is a reimagining of the Mummy franchise, but it’s not connected to the earlier Universal Pictures versions. Cronin, who also directed Evil Dead Rise, brings a fresh take that mixes personal grief with ancient myth. He says the idea came from his own experience dealing with his mother’s death, and he wanted to reinvent the mummy as an ordinary person being mummified. The result is a blend of Poltergeist‑style jump scares, the tension of Seven, and a color palette inspired by Breaking Bad, all wrapped in Egyptian mythology and a touch of Catholic faith.

The cast is a mix of international talent: Jack Reynor and Laia Costa lead the American‑Irish ensemble, while May Calamawy and Verónica Falcón bring authentic Egyptian and Arabic voices to the story. Cronin is proud of the film’s “authentic Egyptian cast and lots of Arabic language,” and he highlights the scenes between Calamawy and fellow Egyptian‑born actor Elghety as some of his favorites. The production was shot in Ireland and Spain, and the film premiered at the American Legion Post 43 cinema in Los Angeles on April 9, 2026, before hitting U.S. theaters on April 17.

Produced by James Wan and Jason Blum (with John Keville), the movie is a joint effort between Atomic Monster, Blumhouse Productions, and Wicked/Good, and it’s an Ireland‑U.S. co‑production. With a $22 million budget, it has already pulled in about $119 million worldwide, proving that the mix of gore, jump‑scares, and family drama can pay off at the box office. Critics, however, have been mixed: 46 % of 177 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes are positive, Metacritic gives it a 47/100, and CinemaScore readers graded it a “C+.” Many reviewers point out that the film can feel overlong and tonally unsure, and that the scares sometimes get buried under a padded running time.

If you’re a horror fan who loves a good dose of gore and jump‑scares, The Mummy will likely satisfy your appetite for the macabre. It’s also a good pick for those who enjoy family‑driven drama with supernatural stakes. On the flip side, if you’re looking for a tight, consistently scary experience—or if you’re a fan of the classic mummy lore and expect a more faithful retelling—this film might leave you feeling a bit squirmed but ultimately bored. The movie’s mixed reviews suggest it’s best suited for viewers who can tolerate a longer runtime and a blend of horror sub‑genres, rather than those who prefer a straightforward, spine‑tingling scare.