Lee Cronin has quickly become one of the horror directors I get excited about, and The Mummy only reinforced that. If you’re expecting another globe-trotting adventure like the Brendan Fraser films, this isn’t that movie. Cronin takes the classic Universal monster in a completely different direction, leaning hard into psychological horror, body horror, and a slow-building sense of dread. It’s darker, meaner, and much more unsettling than I expected, and I really appreciated that it wasn’t interested in playing things safe.
What I enjoyed most was the atmosphere. Cronin knows how to make a room feel uncomfortable without relying on constant jump scares. He lets the tension build naturally before unleashing some genuinely disturbing moments that are equal parts gruesome and memorable. The practical effects are fantastic, the creature design is creepy as hell, and there are a handful of sequences that reminded me why I enjoy practical horror so much. You can definitely see some DNA from Evil Dead Rise, but The Mummy still feels like its own film.
The performances help sell the emotional side of the story as well. Jack Reynor gives the film a grounded center, and the supporting cast all commit to the material. While I thought the emotional themes worked more often than not, I did find myself wishing the screenplay spent a little more time exploring its mythology. There are some really interesting ideas here that never quite get the attention they deserve. By the time the third act rolls around, the movie becomes more interested in delivering horror spectacle than answering some of the questions it raises.
Even with those issues, I had a great time with it. It’s creepy, visually striking, and refreshingly confident in what it wants to be. Horror doesn’t always need to reinvent the wheel if it’s executed this well, and Cronin once again proves he knows how to keep an audience on edge.
As for the 4K UHD, Warner Bros. absolutely nailed this release. Presented in its original 2.39:1 aspect ratio with a native 2160p transfer, HDR10, and Dolby Vision, this is exactly the kind of presentation horror fans hope for. The image is incredibly sharp without ever looking artificial, and the level of detail is outstanding. Makeup effects, creature textures, costumes, and production design all benefit from the extra resolution, with every crack, scar, and unsettling practical effect looking incredibly lifelike.
The Dolby Vision grade is easily one of the highlights. Since so much of the movie takes place in dark interiors and shadowy environments, the HDR presentation has a lot of work to do, and it never misses a beat. Black levels are deep and inky, but shadow detail remains excellent, so you’re never losing information in the darker scenes. Colors are intentionally muted for most of the film, but when richer reds, warm torchlight, or ancient golds appear on screen, they really stand out without ever feeling oversaturated. It’s a beautiful presentation that stays faithful to the film’s moody visual style.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Mummy. It isn’t perfect, and I do think some of its mythology could have been explored a little more, but the atmosphere, practical effects, performances, and Cronin’s confident direction more than make up for those shortcomings. Pair that with an outstanding Dolby Vision transfer, a fantastic Atmos mix, and another strong catalog release from Warner Bros., and this is an easy recommendation for horror fans and anyone looking to show off their home theater. It’s another excellent addition to the 4K format.
Have you seen it yet? Are you a fan of this movie? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Cheers,
Matt.
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