Michael Chaves Sucks (2025)
There has been notable pushback against his use of CGI for spirits, which some fans feel looks "cheap" or "unnecessary" compared to more practical, grounded horror.
The Curse of Diminishing Returns: Why Michael Chaves Represents Horror's Laziest Era
If the horror genre is a classroom, James Wan is the valedictorian, and Michael Chaves is the student copying his homework but forgetting to write down the answers. He sucks the life out of franchises that deserve better caretakers. Unless he drastically changes his approach, I’ll be avoiding his name on a poster from now on. michael chaves sucks
While Michael Chaves has become a staple of modern horror cinema, specifically within the massive , the sentiment "Michael Chaves sucks" has become a rallying cry for a specific subset of horror purists. This criticism often stems from a comparison to the franchise's founder, James Wan, and a perceived shift from atmospheric dread to formulaic tropes. The "Wan vs. Chaves" Divide
Some viewers find his pacing "dragged out" or repetitive, with scare sequences that feel like "gotcha" moments rather than genuine terror. There has been notable pushback against his use
It sounds like you're frustrated with direction, specifically within The Conjuring Universe . Many fans and critics share this sentiment, often comparing his style to the high bar set by James Wan . To provide helpful context, Common Criticisms of Chaves’ Work
Chaves' The Curse of La Llorona (yes, he directed that) is the cinematic equivalent of a wet match. Flat performances, nonsensical lore, and jump scares so predictable you could set your watch by them. It's the kind of film that makes you miss when PG-13 horror at least tried to be clever ( The Ring , Lights Out ). Unless he drastically changes his approach, I’ll be
In films like The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It , Chaves shifted the focus toward the romance between the Warrens, which some felt came at the expense of a truly terrifying horror plot. Career Overview in The Conjuring Universe
Despite the criticism, Chaves has become a primary architect for the later stages of the franchise:
To say "Michael Chaves sucks" might sound like a harsh, reductive internet hot take, but when you look at the filmography, it’s hard to argue with the results. After The Curse of La Llorona and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It , Chaves has proven himself to be the weak link in the modern horror chain, particularly within James Wan’s otherwise stellar universe.