Watched this on netflix, didnt expect much but wow. this movie doesn't use much jump scares but the cinematography and music are amazing which give the movie a creepy vibe all through out. the story is pretty ordinary compared to other horror movies but the last 30 minutes was very well done. the ending left me shocked in a good way, this is what philippine cinema can be if given the chance.
15 Reviews
Needs a Sequel.
jemjeffrey26 April 2021
The Movie was great the actors, cinematography, the scares, the story and also the killer that looks like "Momo" is so creepy, but anyways The two problems that I found about this Movie is the ending and also the "Unrealistic Call Center that was always dark.
Yes, I get it, because it happens only in horror movies, but that's my opinion.
Because of the ending I'm hoping that this film should need a sequel.
Yes, I get it, because it happens only in horror movies, but that's my opinion.
Because of the ending I'm hoping that this film should need a sequel.
Beautiful cinematography, strong cast, ok plot
jpismyname1 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Sunod is one of those horror films that starts out really great, and then it goes downward spiral. The plot centers on Liv and her young daughter Anelle, who has a heart disease. Her medical bills are spiraling up, so Liv is forced to take a new job at a call center, which is located in one of the upper floors of an old building.
Cinematography is astoundingly great. The acting--no problem at all. They are all fantastic. Krystal Brimner (Anelle) exceeded my expectations. Carmina Villaroel's acting is realistic and convincing, and she needs more recognition as a great actress. The story makes you see how far a mother can go to save her child, and that is the main topic here. Liv's decisions are foolish, but it is love that drives her to.
The story is really great...well...until the climax. The climax is a total mess, and the ending is unsatisfying. We need more answers. Come on.
Cinematography is astoundingly great. The acting--no problem at all. They are all fantastic. Krystal Brimner (Anelle) exceeded my expectations. Carmina Villaroel's acting is realistic and convincing, and she needs more recognition as a great actress. The story makes you see how far a mother can go to save her child, and that is the main topic here. Liv's decisions are foolish, but it is love that drives her to.
The story is really great...well...until the climax. The climax is a total mess, and the ending is unsatisfying. We need more answers. Come on.
Recycled
toyo_92521 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The good:
- Cinematography and set pieces.
- Acting is subdued and is not over-the-top, making the characters more relatable
- Plot is reminiscent of the film, Skeleton Key.
- If you found out your child is possessed, call a priest instead of driving with her around town 😅
The Skeleton Key (Filipino Version) ?
francisss16 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Recently seen this movie on Netflix. Cinematography si great! They used the cyan blue and sepia for film color palettes that adds sadness and gloominess to the entire movie. Cinematography wise - it was perfect!
The movie was entertaining to watch. It's just that the film lacks originality and unsatisfying ending just like 'The Skeleton Key'. The antagonist's motive is to take over protagonist's body.
A horror genre movie with possession and sort of a witch craft. Just your typical filipino copycat horror movie.
The movie was entertaining to watch. It's just that the film lacks originality and unsatisfying ending just like 'The Skeleton Key'. The antagonist's motive is to take over protagonist's body.
A horror genre movie with possession and sort of a witch craft. Just your typical filipino copycat horror movie.
Excellent concept but failed to execute.
taplac-3406620 June 2020
One of the most disappointing Filipino horror film not because it was not a good film but because it has a huge potential with its cinematography and public material design but failed to carry out the production and the story itself. It undeniably shows in the execution of the plot, the direction and specifically the SOUND DESIGN. I would like to put emphasis on the sound design as they used very common sfx and even bg music (I'll leave the rest of the critic to the viewers) .The film failed to follow a lot of plot approach that should successfully retain the audience's interest to the story. There are too many concepts that they wanted to portray for the characters that it led into a very messy flow and that it was hard to blend all the aspects to make an ethical resolution. Overall there was a potential to it, it was excellent in its editing and in so many aspect but the most important part of a film should be its plot and the instruments of the plot which are the characters.
Quality horror film.
alvintalavera2 January 2020
Already watched this film twice, I really recommend this one. 2019 is really a year of Filipino horror. This one is really great having won Best Cinematography award and Best Production Design, you wouldn't want to miss on this one. This is probably my favorite modern Filipino horror film. The acting was commendable especially Carmina and Krystal. (I think Krystal Brimner should've won Best Supporting Actress). The sound design and official song "Inay" was likable too. I think this one deserves more audience and recognition.
Not Cliche, but still Average
oliviaczar25 August 2023
Watching this felt like riding a roller coaster; if the roller coaster was slow and goes in a straight line, upside down, the entire time. I appreciate the filmmakers for trying to incorporate some history and culture but it doesn't make the story line any better. It has potential, but the lore feels incomplete, the ending feels incomplete. The inclusion of the main character Olivia's artsy recurring nightmare scenes is a highlight. Additionally, the cinematography occasionally succeeds in capturing the urban charm of the Philippines.
I guess the scariest thing about this film is the hospital bills.
I guess the scariest thing about this film is the hospital bills.
Bland as any filipino horror stories
queerfeminist14 June 2020
Unrealistic, lack of substance and scripting was poorly made
bon_ignatius17 June 2020
Setting - Poorly researched on the call center environment. The building could have given same ambiance and justice even with the exclusion of tackiness.
Scripting - Bland and dense. Lot of screaming and second rated "grudge" signature.
Actors - Carmina's hiatus in her performance manifested on her half baked acting. Kristal on the other hand gave justice on her role. Mylene's supporting role was just as bland as the storyline was.
Climax - Boring and cringey end. Made it an uncategorized genre with the lack of its substance.
Flimsy
cleopatrarj31 August 2020
Outlast made into a Filipino film
jserman21 June 2020
The plot is familiar but I appreciate every scare and details they presented.
ClariSays28 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The film starts with a dream but some will say it's a vision, a warning. I agree with the latter. The opening sequence was bleak, melancholy and the signs were all there. Indeed, something is going to happen with our protagonist who then wakes up in a hospital room where her daughter is confined.
Olivia played by Carmina Villaroel is a solo parent. She's been making ends meet while taking care of her sick daughter, Anelle played by Krystal Brimner. But things aren't going their way as Anelle has been confined for quite some time. As any solo parent and parent, in general, would do, Olivia finds a job. Though the job fair is exclusively for college students, she pursues it and ends up getting the job.
Now all throughout their journey, a bleak setting was presented. The atmosphere never broke but it gets darker and darker every time Olivia goes to work. She works as a call centre agent and her workplace is set in an old building with quite a history and filled with secrets.
As per Lance, the Team Leader played by JC Santos: "The Liboro House used to be a settlement for survivors back in World War II. The family's patriarch, Doctor Jaime Liboro, bought the entire building and turned it into one of Manila's best hospitals in the '70s only to be reopened and remodelled into where we all are now.
Some housekeeping tips. LGO is currently the only office in the entire building. The second and third floors are all under renovations, so please be careful when walking around."
Those secrets slowly come to light as Olivia helps a little girl, who she thought was lost, get out of the building. And this is where we first hear they use the title, sunod. The Filipino word sunod has different meanings but when Olivia used it, it simply means to follow her as she leads her out of the building.
Once she's out, this is where all the craziness in Olivia's life happens. Her daughter gets possesses by the little girl from the building which turns out to be Nerisa played by Rhed Bustamante. She and her mother Perla played by Susan Africa lived in the basement of the building when it was still a hospital.
Though the owner of the building already noticed how weird this girl is and her mother, his wife, a kind nurse showed them compassion and helped them in any way. Sadly, this mother and daughter tandem had terrifying plans for the wife. When they were caught by the husband, Dr Jaime Liboro played by Freddie Webb he strangled Nerissa out of anger ultimately killing her.
Now that night was set to happen again as Olivia mistakenly reunites Nerissa and her mother. With the thought of finding Nerissa's body in the basement to help her move on, Olivia finds herself in the same position as Dr Liboro's wife. Tied to a sacrificial table, Perla starts the ritual. The red thread or yarn, as well as the visions Olivia, keeps having turned into her reality.
From what I understood, Olivia is the next or sunod. The next person or body that Perla will be taking. Now was she successful? I'm not going to tell you just like I didn't share the whole film.
But I am going to tell you that though the plot is familiar, I appreciate every scare and details they presented. It's honestly simple but beautiful especially the part with the red thread or yarn. The actors are great, too. I think Carmina Villaroel played Olivia well most especially Krystal Brimner who played Anelle.
I think the only problem I have is I wanted a little more story concerning the ritual. What kind of people are these mother and daughter duo? Are Perla and Nerissa their original form? Or, did they also steal these people's lives? Lastly, what exactly is this ritual and what were those dark figures?
I'm not hoping for part two. But if they will, I hope they will keep it simple, scary and break barriers like they did in this film. You see, when there is a backstory about a rich family in a horror film, they usually have something to do with everything. But not here. The Liboro family is innocent except for killing Anelle who tried to sacrifice and killed the Mrs.
Olivia played by Carmina Villaroel is a solo parent. She's been making ends meet while taking care of her sick daughter, Anelle played by Krystal Brimner. But things aren't going their way as Anelle has been confined for quite some time. As any solo parent and parent, in general, would do, Olivia finds a job. Though the job fair is exclusively for college students, she pursues it and ends up getting the job.
Now all throughout their journey, a bleak setting was presented. The atmosphere never broke but it gets darker and darker every time Olivia goes to work. She works as a call centre agent and her workplace is set in an old building with quite a history and filled with secrets.
As per Lance, the Team Leader played by JC Santos: "The Liboro House used to be a settlement for survivors back in World War II. The family's patriarch, Doctor Jaime Liboro, bought the entire building and turned it into one of Manila's best hospitals in the '70s only to be reopened and remodelled into where we all are now.
Some housekeeping tips. LGO is currently the only office in the entire building. The second and third floors are all under renovations, so please be careful when walking around."
Those secrets slowly come to light as Olivia helps a little girl, who she thought was lost, get out of the building. And this is where we first hear they use the title, sunod. The Filipino word sunod has different meanings but when Olivia used it, it simply means to follow her as she leads her out of the building.
Once she's out, this is where all the craziness in Olivia's life happens. Her daughter gets possesses by the little girl from the building which turns out to be Nerisa played by Rhed Bustamante. She and her mother Perla played by Susan Africa lived in the basement of the building when it was still a hospital.
Though the owner of the building already noticed how weird this girl is and her mother, his wife, a kind nurse showed them compassion and helped them in any way. Sadly, this mother and daughter tandem had terrifying plans for the wife. When they were caught by the husband, Dr Jaime Liboro played by Freddie Webb he strangled Nerissa out of anger ultimately killing her.
Now that night was set to happen again as Olivia mistakenly reunites Nerissa and her mother. With the thought of finding Nerissa's body in the basement to help her move on, Olivia finds herself in the same position as Dr Liboro's wife. Tied to a sacrificial table, Perla starts the ritual. The red thread or yarn, as well as the visions Olivia, keeps having turned into her reality.
From what I understood, Olivia is the next or sunod. The next person or body that Perla will be taking. Now was she successful? I'm not going to tell you just like I didn't share the whole film.
But I am going to tell you that though the plot is familiar, I appreciate every scare and details they presented. It's honestly simple but beautiful especially the part with the red thread or yarn. The actors are great, too. I think Carmina Villaroel played Olivia well most especially Krystal Brimner who played Anelle.
I think the only problem I have is I wanted a little more story concerning the ritual. What kind of people are these mother and daughter duo? Are Perla and Nerissa their original form? Or, did they also steal these people's lives? Lastly, what exactly is this ritual and what were those dark figures?
I'm not hoping for part two. But if they will, I hope they will keep it simple, scary and break barriers like they did in this film. You see, when there is a backstory about a rich family in a horror film, they usually have something to do with everything. But not here. The Liboro family is innocent except for killing Anelle who tried to sacrifice and killed the Mrs.
Into the Dark
Screen_O_Genic3 June 2022
A young mother with a critically ill teenage daughter takes a job at a call center to pay for the mounting hospital bills. Little would she know that she and her whole world would turn upside down in this dark sinister tale of tragedy and evil. Shot in dark tones and moving at a glacial pace the movie succeeds in conjuring an eerie and ominous atmosphere with the good directing and acting complimented by a pretty imaginative and realistic script not to mention solid cinematography and special effects. Carmina Villaroel delivers in the lead role as the worried and harrassed mother and her aging like fine wine has made her quite the eye candy for some time now. Aside from a few slow spots and head-scratching scenes the film is a good view from start to finish. A fine example on how far Philippine cinema has come particularly in the Horror genre, "Sunod" is one scare treat that any Horror fan should appreciate.
Story was quite Intriguing
makiy116 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
While some aspects of the movie were amateurish (It's an indie film, give it a chance), I have to say the red thread symbolism and/or its origin intrigued me the most. This will be the first time for me to hear about this hence gives a fresh flavor of horror films to the Philippine cinema.
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