Lee Cronin’s The Mummy (2026) is a strong film when it comes to four of its characters being Dalia Zaki, Layla Khalil, Katie Cannon, and Charlie Cannon, yet weak when it focuses on the mother, grandmother, and other children- they don’t add anything to the story.

The story kicks off with the return of a young girl that had disappeared 8 years ago. Suspicious and confusing in form, her family tries to bring her in while the detective Dalia Zaki investigates the mystery surrounding her abrupt return. Scenes in the house are alright, there’s strong suspense & the acting is incredible on the part of the young girl, Kate Cannon, played by Natalie Grace. She as well as her makeup & hairstyling department deserve strong awards for this.

May Calamawy as the detective Dalia Zaki is my favorite character of the film. She’s incredibly determined to solve the case with the world around her being the most interestingly filmed with good shot composition, lighting, and coloring. Frankly I’d prefer if the film was centered her instead of the family, given how much better her scenes are over the family’s scenes. But, I get it- it’s not her story so take what you can get.

Then there’s the third world (not like that), of Layla Khalil played by May ElGhety who had kidnapped the young girl. The footage uncovered by Dalia Zaki is incredibly well made with actual heavy suspense that reminded me of Eyes Wide Shut (1999) in terms of being an occult mystery as well as Weapons (2025) in terms of the villain being quite sadistic. May ElGhety did an incredible job acting her role, again I truly believe this film would’ve been a whole lot better if the detective Dalia Zaki was given more as well as the character of Layla Khalil.

The lore they did with Ancient Egypt was quite intriguing as well, I loved the father character- Charlie Cannon, played by Jack Reynor. While he wasn’t given too much to play with (a commonality of the movie where the great characters aren’t given much), his scenes showing his sheer determination trying to figure out what’s happening as well as his last stand- are beautifully made. Larrissa Cannon played by Laia Costa was not a good character, but I liked her ending scene at least.

Conclusion

★ ★ ★ 1/2

In conclusion while Lee Cronin’s The Mummy (2026) falls short in the main storyline, it does a far better job in plot b- Dalia Zaki investigating the mystery & the end result with Layla Kahlil. The father character Charlie Cannon was great as well- perhaps he should’ve been the sole family member, rather than having also the mother, grandmother, and two additional children.