Ukrainian Choreographer Maryna Mazepa Behind Movement Design in Lee Cronin’s “The Mummy”

The horror film The Mummy, directed by Lee Cronin, was released in Ukrainian cinemas on April 16, featuring movement choreography by Ukrainian artist Maryna Mazepa.

The film follows the story of a journalist’s young daughter who disappears in the desert. Years later, she returns home, but what appears to be a miracle turns into a nightmare for the family.

Mazepa, a choreographer from Konotop in Ukraine’s Sumy region, was responsible for developing the physical language of the film’s central character. According to her interview with NV on April 18, the dancer’s work focused on building tension through movement, working closely with actress Natalie Grace, who portrayed the mummy.

“For me, it was a new and unexpected experience. Previously, I embodied movement intuitively myself, but here I had to pass it on to another person—to explain how character, emotion, and even a character’s psychology are created through the body. It was a bit intimidating, but at the same time very interesting” Mazepa said, reflecting on the process.

She also explained that her approach was not based on a single source of inspiration, but rather on a broader study of the genre.

“I watched Lee Cronin’s films to better understand his style, and also revisited various horror films, especially those centered on female characters. I was interested in exploring how tension is built on screen—not only through large movements, but also through anticipation, pauses, and subtle micro-details,” Mazepa detailed.

Mazepa first gained recognition in Ukraine in 2015 as a finalist on the television show Everybody Dance . She moved to the United States in 2017 and became a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent in 2019.

She made her acting debut in 2021 and has since appeared in films including The Unholy, Malignant, and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City.

Mazepa is among a growing number of Ukrainian creatives moving into international cinema, including model Yuliia Ratner, who made her acting debut in Couture alongside Angelina Jolie. Directed by Alice Winocour, the film weaves the realities of Russia’s war in Ukraine into the backdrop of the global fashion industry.

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