After a 9-year hiatus, the Philippines and Southeast Asia’s longest-running horror anthology film series returns to the big screen with its most blood-soaked and gruesome installment to date.
In the first episode, “Glitch,” directed by Richard V. Somes, the narrative centers on Lyka (Jewel Milag), a neglected young girl who finds solace in a mascot from a defunct children’s show. As the mascot, Gary the goat, begins to manifest itself in the children’s lives, ominous warnings from the maid about a potential demon go unheeded until it’s too late. Despite some initial pacing issues and exposition overload, the episode gains momentum with its brutal and gory killings, propelled by Iza Calzado’s gripping performance.
Directed by Jerrold Tarog, the second episode, “Mukbang,” introduces a group of influencers spending a night together at a mansion for a collaborative project. As tensions rise and secrets unravel, the episode unfolds with humor and suspense, reminiscent of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” meets “Numbalikdiwa/ Hospicio.” Standout performances from Jane Oineza, RK Bagatsing, and Phi Palmos elevate the episode into a crowd-pleasing favorite.
The trilogy concludes with “Rage,” helmed by Joey de Guzman, where Jane De Leon and Paolo Gumabao star as a couple navigating through a province plagued by a mysterious illness brought by alien life forms. Drawing inspiration from zombie and infected horror subgenres, the episode delivers intense gore and thrills, anchored by De Leon’s portrayal of a resilient action heroine.
While each episode varies in reception, Tarog’s “Mukbang” stands out as a must-watch. With its extreme levels of gore and blood, this installment lives up to the promise of the franchise title, making it a noteworthy addition to the local horror scene.
