The Mummy

Another feature titled The Mummy. Filmed over the course of three years, this is one is a supernatural horror film and it is the directorial debut from writer and director Maurice Chauvet and it stars Jon Jacobs, Lisa Zane, Siena Goines, Apoorva Mittra and Sheba Jade, the last two having their screen debut.

So what is the plot? Robert (Jon), a famous and controversial British Egyptologist, currently resides in New Mexico with his wife, Beth (Goines) and his teenaged daughter, Isobel (Jade). Things have not been too good lately, as Isobel (who spends the entirety of the film dressed in her school uniform) has been having long-term occasions of sleepwalking. On top of this, Charlotte (Zane), a wealthy tech entrepreneur, visits Robert at his large house, demanding that he gives her a small artifact shaped like a woman that supposedly possessess magical powers.

Without intending spoilers, the title is a bit misleading. Yes, the story involves Ancient Egypt (which is seen briefly) and there are ancient artifacts to be seen. However, unlike pretty much all previous films with the word 'Mummy' in their title, this one does not have a throusand-year-old corpse rising from the dead and Ancient Egypt is only present in brief flashbacks. So what happens then that justifies the title? Well, almost the entire narrative takes place inside Robert's home, with him and Isobel being plagued by visions of a Ara (Mittra), a young woman who was sacrificed in Ancient Egypt and has now found a way to enter the current world, via the artifact mentioned above. This artifact is one of many that were placed inside the sarcophagus of a Pharaoh, with intentions related to the afterlife. When Ara enters the world of the living, she does so by taking control of people's bodies (when she does so, she is shown wearing the clothes of the person she is controlling) and her intention is to find a way to end her suffering. There are many visions and flashbacks throughout of either Robert being in a darkened place or Ara in Ancient Egypt. Perhaps all this is not enough to justify the title. This feature is primarily a psychological horror story, a thriller and a family drama. Not a film about an ancient corpse.

At the end of the day, a film should not be judged by its title and there are positive aspects in this one. Sean Musaeus makes a great contribution with the atmospheric music that enhances the feelings of dread and suspense and costume designer Alyssa Katz deserves commendations for the Egyptian clothing.

As the main character, Robert is an expert in Egyptology but who is also dealing with mental health issues, a condition that seems to have troubled his past relatives, due to the unwise actions of his great-grandfather. He is a well-meaning man who is concerned about people's well-being but has an unstable relationship with his daughter. Arguably, Mittra is the one who steals the show and that is not just because her character is supernatural (a spirit apparently) but due to her energetic performance. It is when she enters the picture that things get more tense. Although initially she appears sinister, she eventually comes across as a victim of terrible suffering. As for Charlotte, a calculative woman, her role appears to be that of the antagonist.

From the perspective regarding horror, this story is about preventing something bad from happening, enchanted objects, desperation, danger and redemption. If one looks at things from a point of view that involves Robert and his family, it concerns family values and reconciliation.

It would probably be fair to state that this film is not what the title suggests it is about. Not a story about a mummy spreading chaos in Egypt, but more of a haunted house concept and body possession. This feature seeks to have an impact via character exploration and atmosphere, not action.