The Curse of La Llorona confirmed to have The Conjuring connection

It’s been a topic of discussion amongst fans of the James Wan horror franchise whether it was a mere coincidence or an actual connection, but following The Curse of La Llorona‘s premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival, it appears Tony Amendola’s Father Perez has officially crossed over from The Conjuring universe.

RELATED: New The Curse of La Llorona Poster Reveals the Weeping Woman

Eagle-eyed fans spotted Amendola’s casting in the upcoming horror film as Father Perez, the same name as his character in the first Conjuring spin-off Annabelle, sparking a debate on whether he would be portraying the same priest who went up against the demonically attached doll or if, given the film’s location and cultural settings, the character would only be the same in name. But those who got to see the film at SXSW, including Bloody Disgusting‘s Megan Navarro, have confirmed that he is indeed one and the same, featuring not only a verbal reference to the previous film, but also a flashback to his attempt at carrying the doll into his church.

The last time fans saw Perez, he was living in late 1960s Pasadena as the priest of a church attended by Mia and John Form, the young couple who find themselves being terrorized by a demon attached to an Annabelle doll following an attack from a satanic cult. In an attempt to help the couple, Perez took the doll from the couple and tried to transport it to his church, experiencing visions from the demon along the way before being violently attacked and hospitalized before he could enter the church. While hospitalized, his form was taken on by the demon to trick Mia and take her and her baby’s soul, but after successfully surviving the ordeal, Perez was seen at the end of the film after what appeared to be the christening of the Forms’ child alive and well.

Directed by Michael Chaves (Chase Champion) and written by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis in their theatrical debuts, The Curse of La Llorona stars Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen, Roman Christou, Linda Cardellini (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Patricia Velasquez (The Mummy), Sean Patrick Thomas (Barbershop: Back in Business) and Raymond Cruz (Better Call Saul).

RELATED: Patrick Wilson & Vera Farmiga to Reprise The Warrens for Annabelle 3!

Produced by Conjuring franchise-runner James Wan, the film is also produced by Gary Dauberman (IT: Chapter 2, Untitled Annabelle 3) and Emile Gladstone with Michael Clear serving as executive producer.

The Curse of La Llorona is scheduled to hit theaters on April 19.