Directed by
Michael Chaves
Made by
Warner Bros.
Discover the intricate plot of The Curse of La Llorona (2019). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
In Mexico, 1673, two young boys present their mother, Marisol Ramirez, with a beautiful pendant, which she vows to cherish forever. In a tender moment, she and her husband dance with their sons. However, the youngest boy’s innocent gaze suddenly reveals a haunting truth—when he opens his eyes, everyone has vanished. He frantically calls for his family, only to witness his mother drowning his brother in the river. In sheer terror, he attempts to flee, but his mother’s grasp pulls him into the depths as well.
Fast forward to Los Angeles, 1973. Social worker Anna Tate-Garcia is rushing to prepare her children, Chris and Sam, for school, but they miss the bus. At her job, she overhears her supervisor asking her assistant Donna to check on the Alvarez family, specifically Patricia Alvarez, a distressed mother with two boys, Tomas and Carlos, who have been absent from school. Feeling a sense of personal connection, Anna advocates for herself to make the visit.
Accompanied by Officer Claro, Anna arrives at the Alvarez home, where Patricia is initially reluctant to let them in. However, she confesses to hearing mysterious cries of a woman. Investigating, Anna discovers the boys locked away in a closet, but Patricia violently opposes her attempts to free them. Claro intervenes, allowing Anna to reveal the frightened boys, who are subsequently taken to a nearby hospital highlighting burn marks on their wrists.
Back at home, Anna struggles with her life as a widow, coping with the loss of her husband who was killed on duty. That night, Carlos is disturbed by the sound of a woman weeping, leading him and Tomas into an eerie encounter with La Llorona, the malicious spirit known for her sorrowful cries.
Anna is summoned to the hospital by Detective Cooper, where she discovers that the boys’ lifeless bodies were recovered from the river. Patricia appears, lamenting her children’s demise and accuses Anna of bringing the tragedy upon them while desperately trying to escape the grasp of La Llorona.
Meanwhile, Chris, left in the car while Anna attends to the case, inadvertently encounters La Llorona. From the shadows, she burns his arm as she whispers in Spanish about wanting him to join her in her anguish, igniting a terrifying chase.
The following day, Anna witnesses a cleansing ritual at the Alvarez residence, where she meets Father Perez. He shares the tragic legend of La Llorona—once a beautiful woman who, in a fit of jealousy, drowned her own children only to drown herself out of grief, forever cursed to roam the earth.
As Anna’s daughter Sam inadvertently comes upon La Llorona, the spirit seizes her and burns her arm too. In desperation, Anna confronts Patricia in prison, who accuses her of abandoning her own children. The emotional turmoil escalates, and when Anna tries to put her kids to bed that night, La Llorona’s presence intensifies, causing Anna to scream in fear.
In a harrowing sequence of events, La Llorona attempts to drag Sam underwater during a bath, forcing Anna and Chris into a fierce battle against the malevolent spirit. Seeking help, Anna consults Father Perez, who suggests enlisting the aid of a retired priest, Rafael Olvera. Though he initially hesitates, he ultimately agrees when Sam appeals to him, leading to a sought-after visit to Rafael’s home.
Rafael reveals the truth of their haunting—the evil entity, La Llorona, will relentlessly pursue them, regardless of their location. As he sets up protections against the malevolent spirit, the tension peaks when La Llorona attacks, leading to a climactic struggle involving Anna’s determination to save her children.
Finally, with a miraculous twist, Anna learns how to harness the power of La Llorona’s own tears against her. In an intense confrontation, she uses a sacred cross thrown by Rafael to confront the spirit, leading to her ultimate destruction.
By morning, Rafael bids farewell to Anna and her children, as they step back into their lives. While Chris and Sam rush back to play, Anna stands contemplatively, noticing what appears to be a puddle of tears on the sidewalk, a haunting reminder of their chilling encounter with La Llorona.
Track the key events of The Curse of La Llorona (2019) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
A Family's Bond
In Mexico, 1673, two young boys present their mother with a beautiful pendant that she vows to cherish forever. The scene captures a tender moment as the family shares a dance, unaware of the tragic events about to unfold.
A Haunting Transformation
As the youngest boy gazes innocently at his family, he suddenly becomes aware of a haunting truth—his family has vanished. In a panic, he calls for them, only to witness a horrifying scene where his mother drowns his brother in the nearby river.
The Family's Fate
In an effort to escape the terror, the youngest boy flees but is caught by his mother's grasp, pulling him into the depths of the river alongside his brother. This tragic moment marks the beginning of their family's dark legacy.
Life in Los Angeles
Fast forward to Los Angeles in 1973, where social worker Anna Tate-Garcia prepares her children, Chris and Sam, for school. They miss the bus, setting the stage for a day that leads to a haunting discovery.
Concern for the Alvarez Family
While at work, Anna overhears her supervisor discussing the Alvarez family, particularly their mother, Patricia, who is worried about her absent children, Tomas and Carlos. Feeling a personal connection, Anna insists on visiting them to offer help.
Discovering the Boys
Arriving at the Alvarez home with Officer Claro, Anna faces initial resistance from Patricia, who fears for her family's safety. Eventually, she reveals the boys locked away in a closet, prompting an urgent rescue operation.
A Disturbing Encounter
Later that night, young Carlos is haunted by the sound of a weeping woman. This leads to a chilling encounter with La Llorona, the spirit known for her sorrowful cries, revealing the dark supernatural elements at play.
Tragedy Strikes
Anna is called to the hospital where the lifeless bodies of the Alvarez boys are recovered from the river. Confronting Patricia, who blames Anna for the tragedy, the weight of their circumstances grows heavier amidst the ghostly influence of La Llorona.
A Mother's Grief
Chris, left alone in the car, encounters La Llorona in a horrifying moment. The spirit burns his arm while whispering her desire for him to join her in sorrow, leading to a chilling chase that reveals the imminent danger they all face.
The Legend Unveiled
The following day, at the Alvarez residence, Father Perez explains the tragic legend of La Llorona. He recounts how the once-beautiful woman became cursed after drowning her own children out of jealousy and grief.
A Desperate Confrontation
When Anna's daughter Sam encounters La Llorona, the spirit seizes her as well, marking a new level of peril for the family. An emotional confrontation ensues as Anna seeks to protect her children from the vengeful spirit.
Seeking Help
Anna consults Father Perez about the haunting, who then introduces her to retired priest Rafael Olvera. Initially hesitant, Rafael is moved by Anna's plea and agrees to help protect her family from La Llorona.
Preparing for Battle
Rafael shares the need for protective measures against La Llorona, deepening the family's urgency. The tension escalates as the spirit launches its next attack, forcing Anna and her allies into a fierce struggle for survival.
Harnessing the Power
In a climactic confrontation, Anna learns to use La Llorona's own tears against her. With the help of a sacred cross thrown by Rafael, Anna faces the spirit in a bid to save her children and confront their darkest fears.
A Bittersweet Farewell
By morning, with the spirit vanquished, Rafael bids farewell to Anna and her children. As they return to their normal lives, Anna is left to reflect on the haunting encounter as she notices a mysterious puddle of tears on the sidewalk.
Meet the characters that bring The Curse of La Llorona (2019) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Anna Tate-Garcia (Linda Cardellini)
Anna Tate-Garcia is a dedicated social worker and a grieving widow navigating her responsibilities to her children while confronting a supernatural threat. Her character embodies resilience and maternal strength, showcasing her fierce determination to protect her children from La Llorona. The emotional weight of her husband's death adds depth to her struggles.
La Llorona
La Llorona is a ghostly figure driven by profound sorrow and vengeance. Her tragic backstory as a mother who lost her children to her own actions shapes her terrifying presence throughout the film. She represents the dangerous consequences of grief and jealousy, haunting those who may remind her of her own failures.
Patricia Alvarez (Patricia Velásquez)
Patricia Alvarez is a distressed mother who becomes a pivotal figure in Anna's journey. Her initial reluctance to accept help reflects the weight of her despair, as she grapples with her own loss while trying to protect her children from the threat of La Llorona. Her character highlights the struggles of motherhood under duress.
Rafael Olvera (Raymond Cruz)
Rafael Olvera is a retired priest who plays a crucial role in guiding Anna against the malevolent spirit. Initially hesitant, he becomes an ally, sharing knowledge about La Llorona’s curse and helping to develop protective measures. His character embodies faith and wisdom, providing crucial support in moments of despair.
Uncover the settings of The Curse of La Llorona (2019), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
1673, 1973
The narrative spans two significant time periods. In 1673, the tale begins with the origins of La Llorona's tragic story rooted in despair and loss. In 1973, the film explores the implications of this legend on a contemporary family, revealing how the past continues to influence the present and instill fear in the hearts of those unaware of its history.
Location
Mexico, Los Angeles
The movie unfolds across two primary locations: Mexico in 1673, known for its rich cultural heritage and folklore, and the bustling city of Los Angeles in 1973, characterized by its diverse communities and urban challenges. In Mexico, the haunting rise of La Llorona's legend takes root, while Los Angeles provides a modern backdrop where the past's tragedies echo through the cries of a malevolent spirit.
Explore the core themes of The Curse of La Llorona (2019). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Grief
The theme of grief permeates the story, illustrating how sorrow can morph into something sinister. La Llorona's vengeance stems from her profound loss, leaving a wake of devastation in her pursuit of solace. The emotional struggles of Anna Tate-Garcia as a widow further intertwine with this theme, showing how grief can haunt one’s life.
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Maternal Protection
A potent theme throughout the film is maternal protection, showcasing a mother's fierce instinct to shield her children at all costs. Anna’s relentless battle against La Llorona is fueled by her love for her children, despite the overwhelming fear she faces. This drive showcases the lengths a mother will go to in times of crisis.
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Supernatural Haunting
The film delves into supernatural elements, particularly through the vengeful spirit of La Llorona. Her haunting presence serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked emotions and the legends that shape cultural fears. The fear of the unknown and the personal encounters with La Llorona highlight the pervasive nature of supernatural forces.
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