The Old Ways

As a young girl, Cristina witnesses a traumatic exorcism performed on her mother. During the ritual, a demon lunges toward her, leaving visible scratches on Cristina's arm, marking the beginning of her deep-rooted fears and connections to the supernatural.

Fast forward to the present, adult Cristina wakes up in a secluded hut in Veracruz, Mexico, far from her previous life. The eerie atmosphere of La Boca surrounds her as she tries to recover from her troubled past, forcing her to confront the darkness within.

Javi, a local man, is curious about Cristina's presence in the ominous region of La Boca. His questioning reveals the intensity of the environment while setting the stage for the connection that will develop between him and Cristina as they confront her haunting struggles.

Cristina meets Luz, a mysterious Nahua bruja who ominously states, 'She has it.' This statement hints at the spiritual weight Cristina carries and signals the start of her cleansing journey from the malevolent forces that plague her.

In a bid to cleanse her troubled soul, Javi makes Cristina drink goat's milk, a symbol of purification in local beliefs. This act indicates the seriousness of Cristina's condition and the desperate measures taken to help her confront her inner demons.

As a journalist from Los Angeles, Cristina returned to her roots, but is chained to her bed by her heroin addiction. Even while struggling with her drug use, she dismisses the idea of being possessed, though strange occurrences around her begin to sow doubt.

Luz and Javi conduct a traditional exorcism ritual, aiming to confront the demons that have a grip on Cristina. In a series of unsettling events, snakes invade her space, reflecting the chaos and terror brewing inside her, making it clear that she cannot ignore the supernatural any longer.

Cristina learns about a demon named Postehki, which embodies her feelings of worthlessness and depression. This realization deepens her struggle as she becomes aware that Postehki has returned to claim her, pushing her further into darkness.

In a moment of rage, Cristina chokes Javi, reflecting her inner turmoil and desperation. She finds herself trapped by a line of salt, both physically and metaphorically, representing her inability to escape her haunted past that continues to torment her.

Cristina uncovers the 'broken man ritual' in a book given to her by her cousin Miranda. This new lead offers hope for her healing but also intensifies the struggle as she dives deeper into ancient practices to confront the demon clinging to her life.

During a climactic ritual, Luz sacrifices herself to seize the heart of Postehki, attempting to save Cristina. This selfless act represents the fight against evil but also serves as a stark reminder that battling inner demons can come at a great cost.

After Luz's sacrifice, the demon transfers into Miranda, who bears the scratches inflicted by Cristina. This tragic twist reinforces the notion of cyclical harm and the high personal stakes entangled in their struggle against Postehki.

Determined to embrace her lineage, Cristina paints her face and prepares to confront Postehki as a bruja. This moment symbolizes a crucial turning point where she fully accepts her heritage in an attempt to reclaim her power and face the demons that haunt her.

In a gripping scene, Cristina captures Postehki's heart and tosses it to Miranda, who stabs it, igniting a fire that seems to vanquish the demon. The intense confrontation highlights Cristina's growth as she fights not only for her own soul but for her loved ones as well.

Cristina's journey takes another turn with the arrival of her editor Carson, who brings more heroin instead of assistance. This moment exposes the dark truth that he, too, has been possessed, challenging Cristina to step into her role as a bruja and initiate another ritual to save him.