Reportedly inspired by the Mexican legend of “La Llorona” (Spanish for “The Crying Woman”), about a troubled mother who drowned her children 500 years ago, this stylish supernatural thriller puts today's Hollywood-produced horror films to shame. Haunting and suspenseful—almost relentlessly so—writer-director Bernadine Santistevan's The Cry establishes an eerie atmosphere right from the outset as contemporary New York City is rocked by a series of horrendous crimes involving the disappearance and murder of children, who are often found drowned or killed by their mothers. Heading the investigation is NYPD Detective Alex Scott (Christian Camargo), for whom the crimes have devastating resonance (his ex-wife drowned their own child years ago). The Cry derives much of its impact from the choice of children as victims, although it should be noted that the film contains no graphically violent scenes involving kids. Boasting cinematography evocative of classic horror films, as well as a suitably sinister music score, The Cry is an extremely effective little shocker. Recommended. (E. Hulse)
The Cry
Monterey, 80 min., R, DVD: $24.99, June 3 Volume 23, Issue 4
The Cry
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