Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Solid exorcism film has blood, demons, drugs, and language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Old Ways
What's the Story?
In THE OLD WAYS, Cristina (Brigitte Kali Canales) has been making a living as a journalist, but yearns to go back to Veracruz, Mexico, to reconnect with her "family, culture, and heritage." After her mother died when she was a child, Cristina left Mexico. But her return suddenly goes wrong, and a local family imprisons her. They tell her she has a demon in her, and they need to get it out.
Is It Any Good?
This fantastical, bloody, and winsome horror movie thrills from start to finish. Except for a love it or hate it double ending, The Old Ways is a refreshingly simple and taut take on the exorcism horror genre. The film wastes no time jumping right into the drama, as Cristina is immediately imprisoned and told of the demon inside her. Over the course of a cool 90 minutes, Cristina's journey from victim to hero is compelling and fun to watch. She overcomes great hardship and even beats addiction. While there could have been more lore, flavor exposition, and context for the demons that so frequently possess people in this particular area of Veracruz, Mexico, the film still plays with the metaphor of demons and/or evil inside you as symbolic of various modern ills in peoples' lives today and the dangers of losing your culture, family, or heritage.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about exorcism films. How does The Old Ways compare to other notable exorcism movies? What makes it stand out? What makes it too similar to others?
Discuss body horror in film and as a genre. Why do you think people gravitate toward movies that feature body horror? Is it about the gore and grotesque? Is it about creativity? What do you think?
Do you believe in spirits, ghosts, demons, or monsters? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 25, 2021
- Cast : Brigitte Kali Canales , Andrea Cortés , Julia Vera , Sal Lopez
- Director : Christopher Alender
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Soapbox Films
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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