A criminally underseen Italian supernatural horror movie that really focuses on building mood and atmosphere. The story takes place in Mexico (it was filmed in Venezuela) and involves people getting killed because of an ancient Mayan curse.

Sadly the movie isn't entirely successful. There were a lot of dimly lit scenes where I wasn't really sure what was going on. Also, because of its slow burn nature, you will have to wait until the last thirty minutes for the most creative kills to happen.

I did love the change of location in this one though, since most Italian horror movies either take place in Italy/Europe or the United States.

Buried underneath all the sweating, bed-hopping and loud synth score, there’s something of a plot about an ancient Mayan god-king being reawakened to release its evil on the current locals. It starts of messily with lots of languidly-paced flitting between unlikeable characters, but once it settles into its foggy Italian version of Mexican atmosphere, it doles-out some fun moments of lore mumbo-jumbo and vicious bloody kills. Just not at a pace that will lift it out of its sluggish talk-heavy focus. Also could have done without the attempted rapes and cockfighting footage, but Italian films are going to Italian film so it was to be expected.

Aside from that badass poster (that kinda misleadingly implies we are in for a 3D extravaganza), I just didn’t get a whole lot out of this which is a shame because I wanted to. The premise was intriguing and the location and atmosphere were terrific, but it was all just so dark it was hard to tell what was going on. It was also very talky.

The last 20 minutes really picked up with some decent gory kills, but by then I was already on my third night of trying to stay awake long enough to finish it and I just wasn’t super invested. I guess Mexican horror filmed in Venezuela just isn’t really my thing. Go figure.

Two years after Specters Marcello Avallone follows up with Maya, another supernatural head scratcher of the Italian horror variety. The smoke machines are back and as powerful as ever and there's an added dose of hazy mysticism! A deadly Mayan curse is reaping havoc across the beautiful coastal settings of Venezuela and you better buckle up!

There's a handful of gnarly kill scenes including a pole through the head and fishing hook mauling. Thought it was gonna go full Hellraiser for a second! And a guy that vomits snakes! They came right outta his mouth!

There's an enticing sexiness elevated by the blue haze permeating out of most scenes. Feeling like an erotic thriller at times there's plenty of sleazy moments. A beautiful cast with lots of bare skin certainly helped too!

While not ground breaking in anyway I'm happy to add both of these mind numbing Italian deep cuts to the collection!

A celebration of ancient legends, supernatural superstitions, human sacrifice, fishing hooks ripping through flesh and a man ritualistically vomiting up snakes.

languidly paced Italian supernatural jam cum slasher that has plenty of mood and style but little substance -- the fishhook kill is legitimately great though, one of the great kills of the 80s

I too enjoy not ever knowing wtf is going on or why.

good dose of gored-out, spectral flair, minimal substance. rather sluggish for a late Italo film surrounding an ancient curse and its yearn for exhibiting the strength and prowess of gooey, sweaty practical effects—the mood is there, but the rambling, ran-thin script does little to support the look and feel, despite boasting intrigue with its obsession with mirrors and eyes as gateways to misery.

1980s