There have been countless exorcism films in the horror genre, and The Old Ways refreshingly breaks free from the pack to tell an original film that's rooted in connecting to one's ancestors. Written by Marcos Gabriel and directed by Christopher Alender, The Old Ways fuses the best parts of a mystery into a demon-hunting tale while showcasing the badass rituals of a Bruja. The film welcomingly foregoes featuring the worn-out trope of Catholicism saving the day, making way for new spiritual tools and demonic lore to take center stage.
The Old Ways centers on Cristina (Brigitte Kali Canales), a journalist who grew up in Veracruz, Mexico, but moved to America after a tragic family loss. Suddenly, Cristina feels moved to return home for an assignment investigating ancient beliefs in her village that she chalks up to make-believe. However, she is quickly captured by Luz (Julia Vera), a Nahuatl shaman, and her son Javi (Sal Lopez), who believe that she ended up becoming possessed by a demon on her way to La Boca, so they chain her up against her will to expel the evil force.
Of course, things get even trickier when it's revealed that Cristina's cousin, Miranda (Andrea Cortés), visits her and believes the duo is right. Gabriel's tight script wastes no time in setting up its premise. Mere minutes into the film, it's clear that evil is definitely real -- even if Cristina brushes off Luz and Javi as being small-minded. That approach, paired with Cristina's nativity to what the film calls "the old ways," only further drives home the film's central message: remembering our cultural ways and ancestry makes us whole.
Alender wisely frames most early shots around watching Canales' sheer terror and confusion, which helps set the tone and make the dire straits feel genuine. From the start of the film, it's clear that Cristina does not fully speak Spanish, which not only distances her from understanding what the heck is happening but from seeing just how much danger she's actually facing. Rituals aren't explained to the viewer or Cristina, a choice that adds to the seriousness that the film's approach to its religious power. Even if it's not always clear say why goat's milk is being used, The Old Ways ensures a ceremonious feeling is pumping beneath each blood splatter. From a horror fan perspective, this fairly exposition-less approach adds to the film's mystery, keeping audiences intrigued about the film's rules.
The Old Ways boasts a tight cast that impressively manages to convey most of the film's tension and pace through glances. Notably, Vera's Luz excels at just this kind of communication -- given that her character does not speak any English and has to burden the weight of carrying most of this film's power. The language barrier felt by Cristina only heightens the meaning of what messages she can receive. And, without a doubt, Canales steals the show with just the right amount of bashfulness, grit, and pain. Cortés' Miranda brings the majority of the film's heartfelt core to the screen in a genuine way that also works as a softer but much-needed antagonist to Cristina's stubbornness.
Surprisingly, there's more gore than fans might expect for an exorcism film -- bloody tendrils and fingernails and teeth -- that pushes what could be an intriguing mystery fully into the realm of horror. Additionally, when its demons do show up, The Old Ways finds a clever way to locate them, draw them out and waits until just the right time to let their full form be viewed. Overall, the film is incredibly fun, moving and a welcomed addition to this Halloween's season lineup of must-see scary stories.
The Old Ways is streaming on Netflix and also available on Digital, DVD, and Blu-Ray.