The Old Ways (2020) Film Review – Delving Into Mexican Culture and Traditions

Posted on by Liz Griffiths

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It isn’t easy to portray a culture’s traditions and beliefs in a horror movie without it feeling gimmicky and a bit hokey, so 2020’s The Old Ways sets the bar fairly high for itself in that regard. We’ve seen films and books use cultural lore in countless ways, some that do it successfully (such as films like The Ritual 2017 or Pet Semetary 1989) and some that miss the mark entirely (such as Skinwalker Ranch 2013) and wind up making a joke of their source material by completely negating the cultural aspects of it. Time and time again, we see that it isn’t easy to weave a unique narrative without overstepping and essentially erasing a culture’s folklore and beliefs. That being said, director Christopher Alender does exactly that in a film that manages to both stay true to Mexican culture and be genuinely terrifying.

The Old Ways follows journalist Cristina Lopez back to her ancestral homeland of Veracruz where she has been tasked with investigating stories of witchcraft and other superstitious practices. Despite warnings from her cousin Miranda, Cristina ventures off into a sacred cave system where she is later found unconscious and nearly dead. She wakes up sometime later chained to a bed in a small shack in the jungle, completely at the mercy of a local bruja and her son who believe she has been possessed by an ancient demon. It is here that we watch Cristina begin to spiral as she tries to determine what’s real and what’s just superstition as the bruja and her assistant begin performing exorcism rites on her in an attempt to rid her of the supposed demon. 

The film excels at portraying the clash between ancient traditions and modernity as Cristina fights for her freedom, both literally and metaphorically. It artfully explores science versus superstition in how Cristina must come to terms with how her life is shaped by both the world she lives in now and the roots she left behind. She is a prisoner for most of the film, but is she a prisoner of the bruja or a prisoner of her own cynicism and misanthropy? Actress Brigitte Kali Canales delivers a powerful performance as Cristina, effectively portraying the character’s struggle to choose between the old ways and the new ways as she is forced to come to terms with her situation and learn to see things the way the bruja sees them. Julia Vera also gives a mesmerizing performance, embodying the experience and wisdom of the bruja. Most impressively, the film does this in a way that feels respectful to Mexican culture, portraying the bruja not as a crazed fanatic, but as a wise and powerful character.

The Old Ways does at times fall victim to familiar horror tropes. Ill-timed jump-scares, occasionally cheesy special effects, predictable plot points, and somewhat uneven pacing take away from the film at times, but the striking cinematography and stellar acting more than makeup for these pitfalls. The film utilizes light and darkness in a way that feels both natural and supernatural at the same time and the starkness of the shack juxtaposed against the lush Veracruz jungle makes the film pop in a really beautiful way. The special effects are done fairly well overall, save for the somewhat gimmicky smoke demons. The blood and viscera is done extremely well, giving us a few moments that may not be for the squeamish (psychic surgery anyone?) and the performances of the admittedly small cast never miss the mark or feel over the top and tell the story in a way that is compelling and relatable, making audiences really feel for the characters, even the chicken Cristina shares her cell with. 

Overall, the film successfully walks the line between cultural storytelling and horror. The Old Ways is a captivating piece of cinema that stands out for its exploration of indigenous Mexican folklore and its emphasis on cultural identity. It is a refreshing addition to the genre, offering both scares and substance. For fans of horror looking for something different and thought-provoking, it’s a must-watch both for its supernatural horror and cultural depth.

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