Horror, Fantasy  •  2021  •  90 min  •  Adults (18+)

The Old Ways (2021)

The Old Ways poster

The Old Ways (2021)


Rating & Dimensions

Bias Rating
Analyzing...
Leans Progressive
Political: Leans Left
Diversity: Moderate
LGBTQ: Positive
Family Values: Strongly Traditional

Viewer Rating
7.1

Overview

The Old Ways is a 2021 horror-fantasy film centered on a Mexican-origin journalist who returns to Veracruz, only to be mistaken for the devil and detained by locals. The film champions indigenous spiritual traditions against modern, individualistic thinking, while also including a natural, dignified portrayal of a queer relationship. Its progressive lean is softened by strong traditional family values and reverence for ancestral healing practices, resulting in a balanced portrayal of heritage and identity that gives the Public Bias label a Leans Progressive leaning.


Starring Cast

Brigitte Kali Canales  •   Andrea Cortés  •   Julia Vera


Where to watch

Apple TV logoApple TV
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Detailed Bias Analysis

Analyzing...
Leans Progressive

Primary

Political: Leans Left
Confidence: Medium

The film leans left by championing ancestral, indigenous spiritual traditions and communal healing as the solution to trauma and evil, contrasting them with the protagonist's initial modern, skeptical, and individualistic worldview.

Diversity: Moderate
Confidence: High

The movie features a predominantly Latina cast, authentically reflecting its setting and cultural themes without engaging in explicit race or gender swaps of traditionally white roles. Its narrative focuses on Mexican folklore and cultural identity, and it does not critique traditional white or male identities, nor does it center on explicit DEI themes.

Secondary

LGBTQ: Positive
Confidence: High

The film features a central, complex romantic and emotional relationship between the protagonist, Cristina, and her cousin, Miranda. Their queer identity is presented as a natural aspect of their characters, integral to Cristina's personal journey and motivations. The narrative portrays their bond with dignity and complexity, without their same-sex relationship being the source of conflict, ridicule, or negative outcomes.

Family Values: Strongly Traditional
Confidence: High

The film strongly celebrates and endorses ancestral traditions, the wisdom of elders, and the spiritual practices passed down through a matriarchal family lineage, portraying them as essential for healing and personal identity.

Trans: N/A
Confidence: High

The film 'The Old Ways' does not feature any identifiable transsexual characters or themes. The narrative focuses on a journalist's return to her hometown, where she is subjected to an exorcism rooted in Mexican folklore and deals with themes of possession and family trauma. There are no plot points or character arcs related to transsexual identity.

Female Combat: N/R

The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.

Gender Swap: No
Confidence: High

The film "The Old Ways" is an original horror story, not an adaptation of pre-existing material with established characters. All characters are new creations for this specific film, thus precluding any instance of a gender swap as defined.

Race Swap: No
Confidence: High

The Old Ways is an original horror film, not an adaptation of existing source material or a historical account. All characters were created specifically for this production, meaning no pre-established racial identities existed to be altered.

Hinduism: N/A
Confidence: High

Not depicted in the film.


Viewer Rating Breakdown

7.1

Viewer Rating

Combines user and critic ratings from four sources

User Ratings

IMDB logo
5.4
The Movie Database logo
6.7

Critic Ratings

Rotten Tomatoes logo
9.7
Metacritic logo
6.7

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