Directed by
Jayro Bustamante
Made by
Shudder
Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for La Llorona (2020). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
In 1673 Mexico, a joyful family spends time together in a sunny field, where the youngest son gifts his mother a cherished necklace. However, a dark turn of events ensues when he stumbles upon his mother in a horrific scene, drowning his brother in a stream. Traumatized, he flees, only for his mother to catch him; tragically, he is presumed drowned as well.
Fast forward to 1973 Los Angeles, where caseworker Anna investigates the truancy of her client, Patricia Alvarez, and her two children. Upon arriving at Patricia’s home for a welfare check, Anna finds the children locked away, despite their pleas for her to leave them there. Ignoring their warnings, she confronts Patricia, leading to a violent altercation that results in Patricia’s arrest. The boys, Carlos and Tomas, urgently advise Anna to keep them safe, but her actions instead put them in grave danger at a child-services shelter. There, amidst a disturbing atmosphere, Tomas sleepwalks, which leads both boys to encounter a ghostly woman in white who terrorizes them.
Tragedy strikes again when the boys are later discovered drowned in a river, prompting Anna’s return to the scene. She brings along her own children, Chris and Sam, who wait in the car while Anna investigates. In a chilling twist, Patricia, accused of the murders, screams accusations at Anna, blaming her for the deaths of her children while revealing that she prayed to the malevolent spirit of “La Llorona” to take Anna’s children in exchange for her own.
Chris’s curiosity leads him away from the car, and he becomes another target of La Llorona (The Weeping Woman), suffering burns on his wrist from her grasp. The next day, Sam similarly encounters La Llorona, resulting in identical burn marks. Anna’s inquiries reveal Patricia has an alibi, yet Patricia harbors deep resentment towards Anna, seeking revenge through dark means.
In a desperate plea for help, Anna seeks guidance from Father Perez, who connects their ordeal to a haunted porcelain doll he once encountered. He instructs Anna to seek out former priest Rafael Olvera, who is now a folk shaman and may possess the knowledge to combat the malevolent spirit. Upon his arrival at Anna’s home, Rafael sets up protective items. That night, La Llorona launches relentless attacks, attempting to drown Anna and Sam in their pool.
During the chaos, Patricia returns, armed and intent on delivering Anna’s children to La Llorona. However, torn by the realization of her own painful loss, Patricia ultimately helps Anna regain control of the situation, allowing Anna to protect her children. Chris distracts La Llorona by revealing the necklace she had once given to her son, causing a momentary shift in her appearance as she longs for him. In a frantic moment, however, Sam inadvertently unveils a mirror, snapping La Llorona back to her terrifying form.
In a climactic confrontation, Anna drives a cross made from the sacred Fire Tree—witness to La Llorona’s notorious crime—through her chest, vanquishing the spirit once and for all.
With the danger finally passed, Anna and her children express their gratitude to Rafael for his pivotal role in their survival. As he departs, Anna gazes into a puddle nearby, signaling the end of their harrowing journey.
Follow the complete movie timeline of La Llorona (2020) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
A Family's Joyful Moment
In 1673 Mexico, a joyful family enjoys a sunny day in a field. The youngest son gifts his mother a cherished necklace, symbolizing love and familial bonds.
A Tragic Discovery
The young boy's happiness turns to horror as he stumbles upon a chilling scene. He finds his mother drowning his brother in the stream, leading him to flee in terror.
Loss and Presumption
In a tragic twist, the mother catches the fleeing boy, and he is presumed drowned as well. The family's joy is shattered, marking the start of a dark legacy.
Investigation Begins
Fast forward to 1973 Los Angeles, where caseworker Anna is investigating a case of truancy involving her client, Patricia Alvarez, and her two children. Anna arrives at Patricia's home for a welfare check, determined to ensure the children’s safety.
Confrontation with Patricia
Upon arrival, Anna finds the children locked away and hears their pleas. When she confronts Patricia, a violent altercation ensues, leading to the arrest of Patricia.
Danger at the Shelter
After Patricia's arrest, Anna places the boys in a child-services shelter. The grim atmosphere of the shelter puts the boys in grave danger, where they begin to experience disturbances.
Nightmare Encounters
One night, Tomas sleepwalks and encounters a ghostly woman in white, heightening the terror for both boys. They learn that they are not safe as the threatening spirit begins to haunt them.
Tragedy Strikes Again
The dire situation escalates when both boys are discovered drowned in a river, triggering Anna’s return to the scene. She arrives with her own children, Chris and Sam, who wait in the car while she investigates.
Patricia's Accusation
At the river, Patricia, now accused of her children's deaths, confronts Anna. She places the blame squarely on Anna, revealing that she prayed to La Llorona to take Anna's children in exchange for her own.
Chris's Encounter
In a moment of curiosity, Chris leaves the car and becomes a target of La Llorona. He suffers burns on his wrist from her grasp, foreshadowing the ominous threat that looms.
Sam's Discovery
The following day, young Sam also encounters La Llorona, resulting in identical burn marks to Chris. This alarming pattern reveals the spirit’s escalating danger to Anna's family.
Seeking Help
Desperate, Anna seeks the expertise of Father Perez, who shares insights about a haunted porcelain doll. He directs Anna to seek Rafael Olvera, a folk shaman with knowledge about La Llorona.
Preparation for Battle
When Rafael arrives, he sets up protective items around Anna's home. That night, the confrontation with La Llorona escalates as she attempts to drown Anna and Sam in their pool.
Climactic Confrontation
In a climactic showdown, Patricia returns with a weapon, but her inner turmoil leads her to aid Anna. Chris reveals the necklace, moments later leading to a frantic battle with La Llorona.
Victory Over the Spirit
In a desperate measure, Anna drives a cross made from the sacred Fire Tree through La Llorona, vanquishing the malevolent spirit once and for all. With danger averted, Anna reflects on their harrowing ordeal.
Explore all characters from La Llorona (2020). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Anna
Anna is a dedicated caseworker who tries to protect children in perilous situations. Her determination to help ultimately leads her into a supernatural confrontation, revealing her resilience in the face of fear. Driven by a strong maternal instinct, Anna showcases both vulnerability and strength.
Patricia Alvarez
Patricia, a grieving mother, embodies the tragic consequences of loss that fuel her interaction with La Llorona. Her resentment towards Anna evolves from her anguish and desperation, ultimately leading her to conflict with Anna when confronted about her children's safety. Her journey underscores the pain of a mother's love and loss.
Rafael Olvera
Rafael is a former priest turned folk shaman who offers Anna crucial insights and protection against La Llorona. His mystical approach brings a spiritual aspect to the narrative, blending faith with folklore. Rafael's guidance proves instrumental in combating the supernatural threats, highlighting his role as a bridge between worlds.
Learn where and when La Llorona (2020) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
1673, 1973
The movie spans two centuries, beginning in 1673 when a family's tragedy unfolds, leading to the origin of the La Llorona legend. Fast-forwarding to 1973, the film explores modern societal issues, particularly in child welfare services, reflecting the ongoing struggles between safety and the unknown forces that threaten it.
Location
Mexico, Los Angeles
The film starts in 1673 Mexico, where a vibrant family enjoys a sunny day in a picturesque field, representing the beauty of rural life. It then shifts to 1973 Los Angeles, an urban setting filled with social complexities, where a caseworker navigates the challenges of child welfare. This contrast between the serene natural landscape of Mexico and the bustling city life of Los Angeles highlights the film's themes of family and loss.
Discover the main themes in La Llorona (2020). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
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Supernatural
The presence of La Llorona, a ghostly figure seeking vengeance for her own loss, permeates the narrative. This theme challenges the characters' understanding of reality as they grapple with fear and the supernatural. Ultimately, it becomes a catalyst for the protagonist's journey and the unfolding of ancient legends.
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Family
Family dynamics are central to the story, as the characters navigate love, loss, and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones. Anna's relationship with her children and how she confronts her fears represents a mother's devotion amidst dire circumstances. The tragic outcomes also explore the repercussions of loss on familial bonds.
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Folklore
The incorporation of folklore highlights how traditional stories and cultural beliefs shape the characters' reality. La Llorona serves as a haunting reminder of historical grief and maternal loss, connecting generations through shared fear and reverence for folklore. This theme enriches the narrative by weaving in cultural heritage.
Unravel the ending of La Llorona (2020) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.
The ending of The Curse of La Llorona reveals that, despite their efforts to banish her, La Llorona is not truly defeated. Throughout the climax, Rafael Olvera and Anna manage to temporarily hold her back using sacred symbols and fire seeds, which create a barrier that she cannot cross. However, this victory is short-lived. Patricia, the mother of the drowned children and a villain who blames Anna for her own tragedy, breaks the protective line by accident, allowing La Llorona to regain her power. La Llorona then targets Samantha, Anna’s daughter, attempting to drown her in the backyard pool. Luckily, Olvera transforms the water into holy water, forcing La Llorona to retreat temporarily. The family tries to protect their kids by isolating them or hiding in the attic, but La Llorona continually pursues them.
Eventually, Anna confronts La Llorona in a final desperate showdown, wielding a cross made from the fire tree. She stabs the spirit in the heart, seemingly ending her menace once and for all. However, the film’s post-credits scene hints that La Llorona might not be gone for good. The haunting cry of her spirit echoes once more, suggesting she remains alive—at least in some form—and could return at any time. This sinister tease leaves her fate uncertain, implying that her curse may continue beyond this movie, and leaves open the possibility of her comeback in future installments within the horror universe.
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