Sequel to Controversial 2019 Supernatural Horror Movie Officially in Production

A sequel to New Line’s 2019 supernatural horror hit The Curse of La Llorona is officially in production. The new film, titled The Revenge of La Llorona, brings back some familiar faces while introducing fresh talent to the story.

Jay Hernandez, best known for his role in Magnum P.I., and Monica Raymund, from Chicago Fire, are set to star alongside Raymond Cruz, who reprises his role as a curandero from the original movie.

Rising actors Edy Ganem (9-1-1), Martín Fajardo (Griselda), Acston Luca Porto (Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado), and Avie Porto (Bob Hearts Abishola) are also part of the cast. Production began this week in Buffalo, according to reports.

While the producers from the first film, Emile Gladstone, Gary Dauberman, and James Wan, return for the sequel, the director and writer are new.

Canadian filmmaker Santiago Menghini, known for his award-winning short Milk and his feature debut No One Gets Out Alive, is directing. Sean Tretta, who previously collaborated with Wan on the planned Creature from the Black Lagoon project at Universal, wrote the script.

The sequel has faced delays over the years, having been shelved multiple times during development. The last pause happened in early 2024, reportedly due to budget issues.

The Curse of La Llorona was a financial success despite mixed reviews. It earned $54.7 million in North America and $68.4 million internationally, totaling $123.1 million worldwide on a $9 million production budget.

Deadline Hollywood estimated the net profit at $45.6 million after expenses. The original film opened stronger than expected, topping the box office with a $26.5 million debut weekend, with Hispanic audiences making up 49% of ticket sales.

Critics were less impressed. On Rotten Tomatoes, only 26% of reviews were positive, with the site noting the film relied on jump scares instead of exploring the story’s full potential. Metacritic gave it a score of 41 out of 100, and audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it a “B−,” while PostTrak reported that 48% of viewers would definitely recommend it.

Fans of the original can expect the new movie to continue the supernatural story with a fresh creative team. With production underway and a mix of returning and new actors, The Revenge of La Llorona could give audiences a chance to revisit the chilling tale with some surprises.

What do you think of the upcoming sequel? Are you excited to see how the story continues? Share your thoughts in the comments.