New ‘The Mummy’ trailer reveals a dark new monster and it is nothing like the original

The first trailer for Lee Cronin’s upcoming reboot of The Mummy is finally here, and fans are already divided over its disturbing new direction.

Unlike the beloved Brendan Fraser-led adventure franchise, this version leans heavily into psychological horror, reinventing the iconic monster in a way that feels far removed from its swashbuckling roots.

Cronin’s The Mummy centres on a journalist whose young daughter disappears into the desert without a trace. Eight years later, she is mysteriously returned to her family, but what should be a joyful reunion quickly spirals into something far more sinister.

According to the official logline, the film explores what happens when hope curdles into horror, as the girl’s return triggers a living nightmare rather than relief.

The trailer suggests a far more intimate and unsettling story than previous entries, with eerie imagery, restrained scares and a creeping sense of dread. Many viewers have noted its similarities to recent horror hits that focus on grief, resurrection and forbidden magic, rather than spectacle.

In a major departure from earlier versions, the mummy itself appears to be reimagined as a young girl, a twist that has already sparked confusion and debate among fans of the franchise.

This iteration has no connection to the original The Mummy trilogy starring Fraser and Rachel Weisz, which followed a more action-adventure tone. It also stands apart from the 2017 Tom Cruise reboot, which attempted to launch a shared cinematic universe but was ultimately abandoned.

Instead, Cronin’s film draws inspiration from the 1932 classic, one of Universal’s original monster movies alongside Dracula, The Wolf Man and The Creature from the Black Lagoon.

The reboot has already courted controversy. Reports suggest veteran horror director and producer James Wan walked out of an advance screening, fuelling speculation that the film’s creative choices could prove divisive.

Some fans have questioned whether the title itself is misleading, given how radically different this version appears to be from what audiences traditionally associate with The Mummy.

Still, others are intrigued by the darker, more experimental approach, praising the trailer for daring to do something new rather than rehashing familiar territory.

Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is currently scheduled to hit cinemas on April 17, and if early reactions are anything to go by, it is set to be one of the most talked-about horror releases of the year.