The demonic possession film has become incredibly formulaic over the years, so it was a welcome sight to watch a film like The Old Ways add a new twist to a stale sub-genre.
Directed by Christopher Alender and written by Marcos Gabriel, The Old Ways stars Brigette Kali Canales as Cristina, a journalist who returns to her birthplace of Vearacruz, Mexico, to research a story on tribal folklore. Christina is instead abducted by the local bruja, or witch (Julia Vera) who is convinced Cristina is possessed by a demon.
What follows are chilling scenes of ritual and spiritual warfare that are refreshing in their different approach, Alender and Gabriel doing away with the usual Roman Catholic Rites of Exorcism sequences to make for an alternative, yet effective demonic possession movie, led by an impressive Canales who delivers a bravura performance.
