The Old Ways 2021
Directed by
Christopher Alender
Made by
Netflix
Plot Summary
A young Cristina witnesses her mother undergoing a harrowing exorcism. As her mother calls for Cristina, a demon lunges towards her, leaving visible scratches on her arm. Fast forward to the present day, and we find adult Cristina waking up in a secluded hut in Veracruz, Mexico. Javi, a local man, questions her presence in the eerie region known as La Boca. Enigmatic Luz, a Nahua bruja, peers into Cristina’s eyes and ominously states, “She has it.” In an attempt to cleanse her, Javi makes Cristina drink goat’s milk to purify her soul.
Cristina’s cousin Miranda reveals that she discovered Cristina unconscious in La Boca and brought her to Luz and Javi for assistance. Cristina, a journalist from Los Angeles, returned to her roots to investigate the ruins at La Boca; however, she struggles with a heroin addiction, continuing to inject herself with the remaining syringes while chained to her bed. Despite her claims of being unaffected by demons, odd and frightening occurrences lead her to reconsider.
As Luz and Javi perform a traditional exorcism ritual, Cristina remains skeptical, but the evidence around her is hard to ignore: snakes slither into her room, a rooster appears brutally mangled, and candles extinguish, revealing shadows in the corners. During one startling event, Luz seems to pull animal teeth from Cristina’s abdomen, but a snake escapes back inside her.
One fateful night, Cristina, in a fit of rage, chokes Javi until he’s unconscious as she grapples with her situation. However, a line of salt at the door prevents her escape. Her belief in the demon named Postehki—a creature described as “the death god of broken things”—shapes as she realizes he has taken hold of her due to her long-standing battle with depression from her time spent in foster care, leading her to drugs. Postehki has drawn her back to her hometown to finish what he started. Determined to rid herself of this malevolent force, she discards her remaining heroin stash.
As Cristina seeks answers about a mysterious boy she often sees, her companions express ignorance about any child in the vicinity. A breakthrough occurs when she discovers the “broken man ritual,” detailed in a book gifted to her by Miranda. Through another intense ritual, Luz temporarily restrains a convulsing Cristina. In a dramatic turn, Postehki exposes itself to Luz, who sacrifices her own life to seize its heart, attempting to save Cristina from its clutches. Tragically, the demon finds a new host in Miranda through the scratches Cristina inflicted earlier.
With sheer determination, Cristina paints her face to fully embrace her role as a bruja. Together, they attempt to draw out Postehki, and in a climactic moment, Cristina captures its heart and tosses it to Miranda, who stabs it, igniting a fire that seemingly vanquishes Postehki for good.
Cristina’s ordeal is far from over, as her editor Carson arrives, summoned by locals after finding him near La Boca. While his intention is to rescue her, he brings along more heroin, which no longer holds any sway over Cristina. Instead, she realizes the dark truth that he has also been possessed, prompting Cristina to embrace her newfound role as a bruja as she initiates a ritual to save him.
Timeline
Cristina's Mother's Exorcism
As a young girl, Cristina witnesses a traumatic exorcism performed on her mother. During the ritual, a demon lunges toward her, leaving visible scratches on Cristina's arm, marking the beginning of her deep-rooted fears and connections to the supernatural.
Cristina in Veracruz
Fast forward to the present, adult Cristina wakes up in a secluded hut in Veracruz, Mexico, far from her previous life. The eerie atmosphere of La Boca surrounds her as she tries to recover from her troubled past, forcing her to confront the darkness within.
Encounter with Javi
Javi, a local man, is curious about Cristina's presence in the ominous region of La Boca. His questioning reveals the intensity of the environment while setting the stage for the connection that will develop between him and Cristina as they confront her haunting struggles.
Luz's Ominous Words
Cristina meets Luz, a mysterious Nahua bruja who ominously states, 'She has it.' This statement hints at the spiritual weight Cristina carries and signals the start of her cleansing journey from the malevolent forces that plague her.
Attempts at Purification
In a bid to cleanse her troubled soul, Javi makes Cristina drink goat's milk, a symbol of purification in local beliefs. This act indicates the seriousness of Cristina's condition and the desperate measures taken to help her confront her inner demons.
Cristina's Struggles with Addiction
As a journalist from Los Angeles, Cristina returned to her roots, but is chained to her bed by her heroin addiction. Even while struggling with her drug use, she dismisses the idea of being possessed, though strange occurrences around her begin to sow doubt.
Ritual of Exorcism
Luz and Javi conduct a traditional exorcism ritual, aiming to confront the demons that have a grip on Cristina. In a series of unsettling events, snakes invade her space, reflecting the chaos and terror brewing inside her, making it clear that she cannot ignore the supernatural any longer.
Discovery of the Death God
Cristina learns about a demon named Postehki, which embodies her feelings of worthlessness and depression. This realization deepens her struggle as she becomes aware that Postehki has returned to claim her, pushing her further into darkness.
Facing the Past
In a moment of rage, Cristina chokes Javi, reflecting her inner turmoil and desperation. She finds herself trapped by a line of salt, both physically and metaphorically, representing her inability to escape her haunted past that continues to torment her.
Broken Man Ritual Discovery
Cristina uncovers the 'broken man ritual' in a book given to her by her cousin Miranda. This new lead offers hope for her healing but also intensifies the struggle as she dives deeper into ancient practices to confront the demon clinging to her life.
Luz's Sacrifice
During a climactic ritual, Luz sacrifices herself to seize the heart of Postehki, attempting to save Cristina. This selfless act represents the fight against evil but also serves as a stark reminder that battling inner demons can come at a great cost.
Miranda Becomes the New Host
After Luz's sacrifice, the demon transfers into Miranda, who bears the scratches inflicted by Cristina. This tragic twist reinforces the notion of cyclical harm and the high personal stakes entangled in their struggle against Postehki.
Cristina's Embrace of Identity
Determined to embrace her lineage, Cristina paints her face and prepares to confront Postehki as a bruja. This moment symbolizes a crucial turning point where she fully accepts her heritage in an attempt to reclaim her power and face the demons that haunt her.
Climactic Confrontation
In a gripping scene, Cristina captures Postehki's heart and tosses it to Miranda, who stabs it, igniting a fire that seems to vanquish the demon. The intense confrontation highlights Cristina's growth as she fights not only for her own soul but for her loved ones as well.
Carson's Arrival
Cristina's journey takes another turn with the arrival of her editor Carson, who brings more heroin instead of assistance. This moment exposes the dark truth that he, too, has been possessed, challenging Cristina to step into her role as a bruja and initiate another ritual to save him.
Characters
Cristina
Cristina, a journalist from Los Angeles, is plagued by her past and addiction. Her journey home to investigate her roots becomes a battle against both demons and her own struggles. Strong-willed yet vulnerable, Cristina embodies resilience as she confronts her fears and transforms throughout the film.
Miranda
Miranda is Cristina's cousin who plays a crucial role in helping her confront her past. She exhibits loyalty and determination, seeking to support her cousin despite facing her own dangers. As the story unfolds, her character becomes a tragic symbol of the fight against darkness.
Luz
Luz is a Nahua bruja who embodies wisdom and strength. She is steeped in traditional beliefs and practices, guiding Cristina through her chaotic journey. Her sacrificial choice to confront Postehki highlights profound themes of bravery and selflessness.
Carson
Carson is Cristina's editor who arrives with intentions to rescue her but inadvertently brings more danger as he himself is revealed to be possessed. His character illustrates the complexities of support and the unexpected consequences of addiction.
Javi
Javi is a local man who assists Cristina in her time of need. He is skeptical yet caring, acting as a bridge between the traditional practices of the area and Cristina's modern worldview. His character represents the conflict between belief in the supernatural and the rational world.
Setting
Time period
The events of the film occur in modern times, juxtaposing the traditional beliefs surrounding exorcism and demons with contemporary struggles like addiction and mental health. This blend highlights the ongoing conflict between ancient practices and the present-day realities faced by the main character.
Location
Veracruz, La Boca
Veracruz is a coastal state in Mexico known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse landscapes. La Boca, a secluded and eerie region within Veracruz, has a mystical reputation, often associated with traditional rituals and supernatural occurrences. It serves as the backdrop for Cristina's harrowing journey, encapsulating both beauty and danger.
Themes
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Struggle
The theme of struggle is central to Cristina's journey as she battles both external demons and her internal addiction. Her attempts to confront the malevolent force of Postehki parallel her fight for recovery and self-acceptance. This duality emphasizes the challenges of overcoming past traumas and the ongoing fight for redemption.
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Supernatural
The supernatural theme weaves through the narrative as Cristina encounters spirits, rituals, and ancient beliefs. The presence of Postehki, the death god of broken things, manifests the emotional and psychological burdens she carries. The film illustrates how the supernatural can reflect real-life struggles with mental health and personal demons.
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Redemption
Redemption is a pivotal theme as Cristina seeks to reclaim her life from both addiction and the clutches of a powerful demon. Her transformation into a bruja symbolizes her acceptance of her heritage and her fight to save not only herself but also those she loves. The theme urges viewers to confront their past and strive for healing.
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