Mummy Awakens: Family Horror Unravels in New Film

Filmmaker Lee Cronin's 'The Mummy' attempts a novel take on the iconic monster, setting the story within a contemporary American family. The narrative begins with journalist Charlie Cannon and his family living in Cairo, where their daughter Katie is mysteriously abducted. Eight years later, the family, now back in New Mexico, receives news that Katie has been found alive but mummified.

Upon her return, Katie exhibits increasingly strange and disturbing behaviors, presenting a challenge for her parents and the medical community. The film attempts to weave together elements of possession horror and mystery, drawing comparisons to films like 'The Exorcist' and 'Se7en.' However, it is criticized for its slow pacing and an inability to effectively blend its disparate thematic threads.

Despite moments of visceral horror and a focus on the internal rot of the family unit, 'The Mummy' ultimately fails to deliver consistent scares. The story includes underdeveloped subplots and characters, such as an archaeology professor and a detective, who offer potential insights but disappear from the narrative. The film's eccentricities are present, but they often result in a disjointed viewing experience rather than cohesive storytelling.