Writer/Director Anubys Lopez Discusses His New Series Surviving La Llorona

Heaven of Horror recently spoke with writer/director Anubys Lopez about his latest horror project, Surviving La Llorona.

The Surviving La Llorona synopsis reads: “A series that delves into the haunting experiences of individuals who have come face to face with La Llorona, the weeping woman of folklore. Through their narratives, the series uncovers the enduring power of this terrifying legend.”

You can now stream Surviving La Llorona for free here. Learn more about Harrow House Films here.

What led you to become a filmmaker?

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling, especially the kind that lingers with you. Over time, that passion evolved into visual storytelling. Filmmaking gave me a way to take my ideas—especially darker, more unsettling ones—and make them feel real. I started small, and the more I directed, the more I realized how much I loved crafting controlled chaos on screen.

All of the projects you have directed fall into the horror genre. What is it about horror that intrigues you?

Horror is honest. It’s one of the few genres that lets you confront raw emotions—fear, grief, trauma—without having to dress them up. And it gives me creative freedom. You can bend reality, play with pacing, and disturb the viewer in ways no other genre allows. I like exploring what scares people, and why.

When you were creating Surviving La Llorona, did you ever think about making it into a film instead of 3 episodes?

Yes, that was something I considered early on. But the episodic format gave us more space to explore the survivors’ stories individually. It helped highlight that La Llorona isn’t just a single ghost story—it’s a cultural trauma with many different faces. Breaking it up allowed each story to breathe on its own.

Surviving La Llorona definitely has a slow burn type of feel to it. Was this intentional to build suspense?

Absolutely. I wanted viewers to sit with the discomfort. The slow pacing helps create a sense of dread, which mirrors how many survivors describe their encounters. It’s not always jump scares—it’s the feeling of something creeping in, slowly, that you can’t shake.

Cassandra Luna plays La Llorona in Surviving La Llorona. Can you talk about her transformation into the character? What sort of direction did you give her?

We actually found Cassandra through Instagram—she was a cosplayer who really understood visual storytelling. On set, we focused on movement and silence. I directed her to move unnaturally slow, to hold tension in her body, and to use her eyes as if she had centuries of grief behind them. Her performance brought a very human sadness to the role, which was exactly what I wanted.

Did you have to do a lot of research about the mythology of La Llorona? Or were you already pretty familiar with her?

I grew up hearing stories about La Llorona, so the foundation was already there. But for this project, I dug deeper—especially into the regional variations and how different families interpret her. It helped us ground the series in authenticity while still making it feel cinematic.

What was the biggest challenge you faced with creating Surviving La Llorona?

Working with a limited budget was tough. We had to get really creative with lighting, sound, and locations to make everything feel eerie and cinematic. But in a way, those constraints forced us to focus more on mood and performance, which ultimately made the project stronger.

Have there been any horror films that you have recently seen that have stuck out to you?

When Evil Lurks really stuck with me. It didn’t follow the typical horror structure and had this raw, dirty realism that made it feel dangerous. I also liked Skinamarink—not for everyone, but it reminded me how powerful it is to just make someone feel lost and uncomfortable.

What horror project would you like to do next?

I’m working on a few short films right now, including one about a supernatural face mask and another involving attic memory loss. But long-term, I want to tackle a feature that blurs the line between psychological horror and folklore—something disturbing, weird, and personal. Maybe a film where you’re never quite sure if the monster is real… or if you are.

​ABOUT ANUBYS LOPEZ

Anubys Lopez is a Cuban-American film director and writer based in Houston, Texas. He is recognized for his work in the horror and thriller genres, often drawing inspiration from actual events and local folklore. 

Lopez believes that true horror is psychological rather than physical. He crafts films that evoke fear through realism, creating scenarios that could very well happen to the viewer. His works challenge the boundaries of discomfort, ensuring each story lingers in the minds of his audience long after the credits roll.